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Service bulletins for the 2020 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.

481 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

By type

By component

By trouble code

By topic

Bulletins, newest first
12-296-202020-07-07. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. This Service Information Bulletin outlines design changes made to the rear frame sections and the mounting bolts used to secure the rear stabilizer bar brackets to them.
12-294-202020-06-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. This bulletin announces a design change made to the B-pillar trim. The change prevents the trim's appearance from deteriorating as a result of recurring contact with the steel latching tongue portion of the seat belt.
12-291-202020-06-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. This bulletin announces a design change made to the rubber protector located between the top edge of the rear gate garnish and the glass. The change was made in reponse to a number of concerns regarding vertical brownish-colored stains appearing on the rear gate panel below the garnish and / or the license plate.
07-155-19R2020-06-02. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces a design change made to the PRG control module.
07-162-19R2020-06-02. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Body Integrated Unit (BIU) opertation of the automatic door lock (auto-lock/unlock) feature.
11-200-20R2020-06-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM) for hard starting in sub-freezing temperatures, DTC P0400, and surging in high altitudes.
01-183-202020-06-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Vehicle repair program for customers affected by the COVID-19 quarantine.
01-181-202020-05-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
11-200-20R2020-05-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM).
15-195-16R2020-05-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This service information bulletin provides important information regarding diagnosis and replacement (when applicable) of the STARLINK Telematics Data Communication Module (DCM). All models with STARLINK Telematics System.
15-249-19R2020-05-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
Subaru Tech Tips2020-05-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Subaru's QMR of the month winner.
15-257-19R2020-05-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This service information bulletin provides insight in response to both customer and retailer feedback resulting from the use of OBD-II port connected devises.
15-219-18R2020-05-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin is designed to address an error code 202 and/or 204 when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process.
07-162-19R2020-05-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Body Integrated Unit (BIU) operation of the automatic door lock (auto-lock / unlock) feature.
07-175-202020-04-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This service information bulletin outlines a procedure to prevent the loss of and the need to reset the customer's Driver Monitoring System (DMS) settings when servicing the vehicle.
09-71-202020-04-03. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. This bulletin provides a service procedure to address a small number of concerns regarding a rattle/ buzz-type sound coming from the fuel tank area.
12-258-202020-04-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE. This bulletin provides a procedure for addressing a rattling sound caused by the sunroof deflector contacting the sunroof rail assembly. This sound may be heard while closing an outside door when all the windows are closed.
07-173-202020-04-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. This Service Information Bulletin provides insight on how to address a customer concern of the rear hatch, Power Rear Gate (PRG) or trunk release operating (or finding the PRG/trunk open unexpectedly after parking) without a specific input (button press) from the operator.
15-249-19R2020-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
17-17-13R2020-04-02. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
07-155-19R2020-04-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces a design change made to the PRG control module. This change is in response to a limited number of customer concerns regarding the rear gate not opening when operating the gate switch or dashboard switch on the vehicle or the button on the key fob. In addition to ensuring proper PRG system operation, the new logic also optimizes the PRG communication function.
07-75-13R2020-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. This Bulletin provides information regarding DTC P0606 related specifically to the determination of this code on Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models.
12-279-20R2020-04-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This bulletin announces availability of new outer door handles to address isolated concerns of the chrome finish peeling.
18-198-202020-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 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 summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.