Service bulletins for the 2017 Subaru Forester
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
449 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
| 16-131-20 | 2020-12-05. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. This Service Information Bulletin provides corrected diagnostics containing a revised flow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs. |
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| 15-208-17R | 2020-12-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information bulletin announces availability of an enhancement to the Gracenote database included in the vehicles listed above equipped with F10 7 Navigation and 7 Display Audio head units. When the user plays a pre-recorded CD, Gracenote recognizes the disc then shows the artist and track name information along with the album cover art on the head unit display (when available). This enhancement brings the currently installed database up to date with the most recent information available. This update does not affect any album art displayed when using SXM. |
| WTJ70 | 2020-11-16. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. The CVT fluid in affected vehicles was not filled to the proper specified level at the factory. The condition could cause a noticeable air vacuum noise or possibly even chain slip under high levels of shock load depending upon driving conditions (i.e. rapid acceleration or hill climbing). Extended driving under this low-fill condition is not recommended. |
| 1818816 | 2020-11-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a description of current changes to Service Manuals available via the Subaru Technical Information System (STIS) web site. The tables contained within this bulletin are to be used as guides for becoming aware of the latest changes. We advise you to always refer to the STIS web site when looking for the latest Service information. Printed pages will not be made available to update printed Service Manuals. |
| 139916R | 2020-11-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT. Various paint manufacturers designate their own stock numbers and coding information although many of the major suppliers are now using the SOA paint codes to help eliminate possible confusion. Their color formulations are updated on a continual basis. Some vendors may have different color names than those provided to them by SOA. Be sure to double-check the codes and formulas beforehand to help insure an accurate color match. Should discrepancies arise, please refer your Body Shop contact inquiries to the specific paint vendor or their jobber/supplier for the most updated formula information. |
| 078815R | 2020-11-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. This Service Information bulletin provides a procedure to use when installing a SOA821B200 replacement battery in a 2015MY WRX (2.0L). The sensor located on the battery ground terminal interferes with the battery vent cap used on the replacement battery. |
| 216316 | 2020-11-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. This Service Information bulletin provides new inspection and repair procedures for AVCS (Active Valve Control System) -related DTCs on the FA and FB engine equipped models listed above. The applicable Service Manuals will be revised with this new information in the near future. |
| 10-19-20 | 2020-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a description of current changes to Service Manuals available via the Subaru Technical Information System (STIS) web site. |
| 15-205-16R | 2020-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces new reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address additional operational concerns received from the field and listed involving “Gen 2” F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7” display. |
| 12-289-20R | 2020-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty for the rear gate stays on the listed models and model years. |
| Subarunet Announ | 2020-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE; EQUIPMENT; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. We recently informed retailers and customers of an extension to the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 2014-2018 Forester Rear Gate Stays. |
| 18-200-20 | 2020-10-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This bulletin provides a description of current changes to Service Manuals. |
| 15-269-20R | 2020-10-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. In the interest of providing continued customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Basic New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Condenser component of the Air Conditioning system on all 2017 and a limited number of 2018MY Forester model vehicles. |
| 12-289-20 | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty for the rear gate stays on the listed models and model years. This will apply to Forester models with or without the power rear gate (PRG). |
| 15-271-20 | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This service information bulletin announces discontinuation of both the "Stitcher" app and the related News Radio feature from the STARLINK app lineup effective 12 midnight on Thursday, September 24, 2020. |
| 06-79-20 | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces availability of new master cylinder application shaft seals. |
| 05-76-20 | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. WHEELS. This bulletin announces availability of new front wheel hub assemblies incorporating bearing surfaces having increased resistance to imperfections resulting from shock loads. |
| 03-82-18R | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This service information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models listed. |
| 15-269-20 | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. In the interest of providing continued customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the basic New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Condenser component of the Air Conditioning system on all 2017 and certain 2018 MY Forester model vehicles. |
| 14-22-16R | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Special Service Tools Cross Reference List. |
| 15-266-20 | 2020-08-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information Bulletin provides helpful procedures and best practices to utilize when customers present with concerns relating to the operation of their Gen 2 Telematics system equipped Subaru. |
| 15-267-20 | 2020-08-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE. This document discusses some of the conditions that may trigger an Automatic Collision Notification (CAN) (Gen1) or Advanced Automatic Collision Notification (AACN) (Gen2), without a collision, airbag deployment, or accident taking place. |
| 15-219-18R | 2020-08-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service information bulletin provides Telematics system/generation applicability. |
| 15-195-16R | 2020-08-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information bulletin provides IMPORTANT information regarding diagnosis and replacement (when applicable) of the STARLINK Telematics Data Communication Module (DMC). |
| 12-203-16R | 2020-06-02. Service bulletin. SEAT BELTS; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.