Service bulletins for the 2018 Subaru Legacy
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.
445 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
| 15-211-17R | 2020-03-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed. |
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| 11-200-20R | 2020-03-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM). |
| 15-214-17R | 2020-03-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 07-152-19R | 2020-02-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; VISIBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies. |
| 15-254-19R | 2020-02-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The first TomTom map update for Gen 3.0 Harman navigation equipped vehicles was made available. |
| 15-245-19R | 2020-02-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides a new reprogramming procedure (FOTA) to optimize the Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head units (H/U) utilized in the models |
| 17-17-13R | 2020-02-05. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system. |
| Subaru Retailers | 2020-02-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This announcement is in regards to the class action lawsuit regarding Harman Gen 3.0 Audio and Audio/ Navigation Head Units in certain Subaru vehicles. |
| 15-211-17R | 2020-02-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head units. |
| 07-163-19 | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. "This Service Information Bulletin announces IMPORTANT changes to the parts ordering and Service Procedures for replacement passenger airbag modules and airbag control modules used in the models listed above. The change is due to discontinuation of the original equipment passenger airbag module assemblies used in 2015-17MY vehicles. The replacement passenger airbag module assemblies for the 2015-17 MY Legacy and Outback will now be the same part used in 2018MY Legacy and Outback. The 2018MY Legacy and Outback also utilizes a different airbag control module than the 2015-17 MY Legacy and Outback. The 2018MY passenger airbag module assembly is now specified for 2015-18MY vehicles. As a result, whenever installing the 2018MY passenger airbag module on a 2015-17MY vehicle, the airbag control module AND airbag module assembly MUST be replaced together as a matching set." |
| 07-163-19 | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. "This Service Information Bulletin announces IMPORTANT changes to the parts ordering and Service Procedures for replacement passenger airbag modules and airbag control modules used in the models listed above. The change is due to discontinuation of the original equipment passenger airbag module assemblies used in 2015-17MY vehicles. The replacement passenger airbag module assemblies for the 2015-17 MY Legacy and Outback will now be the same part used in 2018MY Legacy and Outback. The 2018MY Legacy and Outback also utilizes a different airbag control module than the 2015-17 MY Legacy and Outback. The 2018MY passenger airbag module assembly is now specified for 2015-18MY vehicles. As a result, whenever installing the 2018MY passenger airbag module on a 2015-17MY vehicle, the airbag control module AND airbag module assembly MUST be replaced together as a matching set." |
| 15-214-17R | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. The exchange program policy can also be found in Sections 8.4.9 and 11.2.10 of your Claims Policies and Procedures Manual found in Subarunet. |
| 07-162-19 | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Body Integrated Unit (BIU) operation of the automatic door lock (auto-lock / unlock) feature. Currently, when the vehicle is locked by the auto-lock feature, if any door other than the driver’s door is unlocked manually before the driver’s door is unlocked, the auto-unlock operation is cancelled. The new logic keeps the auto-unlock operation from being cancelled regardless of which door is opened first. |
| 15-220-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing concerns of the Apple CarPlay and / or Android Auto feature not connecting or launching properly when a compatible device is connected to the head unit. |
| 15-231-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing specific and general audio/sound related concerns. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide-Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will assist you with this diagnosis and is required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. Once the questionnaire is completed, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning to understand the flow for the listed concerns. |
| 15-230-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns involving Bluetooth (BT) functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. Please apply the information captured in the checklist to the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) - Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-228-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing a customer concern of the display screen being either frozen (unresponsive) or black (blank). Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) > Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-227-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns of the Navigation system’s functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. |
| 15-226-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns regarding USB functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. |
| 15-229-18R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing clock-related customer concerns. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) - Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-254-19 | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. On August 23rd, 2018, the first TomTom map update for Gen 3.0 Harman navigation equipped vehicles was made available. While the map update process is user-friendly, we ask that retailers assist customers with the map update procedure when requested as a courtesy, an opportunity to build retailer loyalty, enhance customer satisfaction and in keeping with the Love Promise. Retailers may also want to install this map update on any certified pre-owned or pre-owned vehicles in their inventory on their own. The site (dealer.subaru-maps.com) which is unique for retailers, is not the same as what customers will be accessing at home. If Service, Sales, and/or Parts Managers do not have a login, create an account from this page. There may be a short delay while retailer approval is pending. |
| WUA-86R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service program to update the Harman Kardon head unit on certain vehicles with the latest version of software. |
| WTZ-85R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling 2018 model year Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles equipped with a certain combination of head unit hardware and software, due to the possibility of noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111 – “Rear Visibility.” |
| WTW-82R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling all 2018 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles to reprogram the combination meter software to correct an error in the driving range indicator calculation in the multi-information display. A total of 228,648 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall. |
| 15-221-18R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This bulletin provides helpful information about operating conditions observed in the field for Technicians to use when diagnosing customer concerns which may arise while operating Harman Gen 3.0 and 3.1 Navigation and Display Audio systems. We will continue to add to this bulletin as more information becomes available. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.