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Service bulletins for the 2005 Subaru Outback

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.

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

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Bulletins, newest first
WQR-53R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Recall Bulletin Revised. UPDATE ? April 2016: New and different inflators are available for affected 2004-2005 Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles. As a result, there are different installation instructions depending on the inflator being installed. Please refer to the appropriate service procedure instructions and parts information which were updated to reflect the new parts.
01-168-09R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Revised TSB. The Subaru Lock Information Site (SLIS) is located at http://lockinfo.subaru.com, and provides information on how to obtain immobilizer codes and key cut codes for Subaru vehicles from the 2000MY to present. This bulletin identifies the equipment required to initialize (reset) the immobilizer code and cut the key blanks, for both immobilizer and non-immobilizer type keys. Subaru of America began using immobilizer systems in some 2005MY vehicles (please refer to Immobilizer Chart for more detailed information).
02-172-18R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin provides details regarding a new oil filler tube o-ring developed to address engine oil seepage concerns. This seepage may accumulate along the bottom sealing surface of the rocker cover. The new o-ring utilizes material which has an increased resistance to engine heat.
02-172-18R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This bulletin provides details regarding a new oil filler tube o-ring developed to address engine oil seepage concerns. This seepage may accumulate along the bottom sealing surface of the rocker cover. The new o-ring utilizes material which has an increased resistance to engine heat.
12-197-16R2018-06-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. New Car Limited Warranty coverage of the instrument panel (IP) or dashboard assembly on the applicable vehicles listed above to 10 years/regardless of miles from original start date. This warranty extension will cover a ONE TIME replacement of the IP if it melts or becomes sticky to the touch as a result of exposure to heat and/or humidity conditions.
12-197-16R2018-05-29. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Limited Warranty coverage of the instrument panel (IP) or dashboard assembly on the applicable vehicles listed above to 10 years/regardless of miles from the original warranty start date. This warranty extension will cover a ONE-TIME replacement of the IP if it melts or becomes sticky to the touch as a result of exposure to heat and/or humidity conditions. This extension will NOT cover IPs with damage resulting from outside influence such as abuse, vandalism or application of harsh chemicals such as acids, bases, or petroleum products.
WVH18R2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PZEV MODELS ONLY. REVISED. This Campaign only applies to vehicles with motor vehicle registration in the States of California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York and Vermont. For affected vehicles registered in any other state, see Service Program WVI-19. INTRODUCTION Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require ECM reprogramming along with catalytic converter efficiency testing and possible replacement. Under certain unique driving patterns, such as repeated acceleration and deceleration and/or continuous uphill driving at higher speeds (about 75 mph), the catalytic converters of affected vehicles may develop high internal temperatures that exceed design parameters. If left uncorrected, this condition may eventually degrade the efficiency of the catalytic converters. (The ?CHECK ENGINE? light will illuminate to alert the driver if catalytic converter efficiency has degraded beyond an acceptable level and the vehicle may be releasing air pollutants which may exceed California standards.) To prevent this condition, a modification to the Engine Control Module software logic has been developed that will improve management of temperatures within the catalytic converters. This condition is a software issue and has no impact on vehicle drivability.
WVI19R2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PZEV MODELS ONLY. REVISED. This Campaign applies to vehicles in any state except those with motor vehicle registrations in the States of California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York or Vermont. For affected vehicles registered in these states, see Service Program WVH-18. INTRODUCTION Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require ECM reprogramming. Under certain unique driving patterns, such as repeated acceleration and deceleration and/or continuous uphill driving at higher speeds (about 75 mph), the catalytic converters of affected vehicles may develop high internal temperatures that exceed design parameters. If left uncorrected, this condition may eventually degrade the catalytic converters. (The ?CHECK ENGINE? light will illuminate to alert the driver if catalytic converter degradation has already occurred and that the vehicle may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal emission standards.). To prevent this condition, a modification to the Engine Control Module software logic has been developed that will improve management of temperatures within the catalytic converters. This condition is a software issue and has no impact on vehicle drivability.
01-168-09R2018-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
01-168-09R2017-10-27. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
WQR532017-10-27. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. Based on ballistic testing results, it has been determined that affected vehicles with registration history in high absolute humidity (HAH) areas are more susceptible to rupture. Owner notification letters were mailed to the owners of those vehicles on January 29, 2016. On Friday, February 12, 2016 initial owner notification letters will be mailed to the current owners of non?HAH vehicles. Non?HAH vehicles have not had any registration history in the high absolute humidity areas.
02-164-162017-08-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the internal contact portion of the oil pressure switch to increase durability
WQR-53U22017-03-08. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. UPDATE: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS WQR-53 THE WQR-53 RECALL IS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL 2005-2008 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES. THIS IS AN EXPANSION FROM THE CURRENT WQP-51 LIMITED REGIONAL RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2005 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES, TO A NATIONAL RECALL FOR ALL 2005-2008 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES. PLEASE REFER TO THE 2005 LEGACY AND OUTBACK SERVICE PROCEDURE IN THE WQP-51 BULLETIN FOR 2005-2008 LEGACY AND OUTBACK REPAIRS. THE WQR-53 PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN WILL BE UPDATED ON STIS IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO REFLECT THIS EXPANSION. LIMITED PARTS AVAILABILITY WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A PARTS SHORTAGE FOR THE 2005-2008 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES. SOA REQUESTS THAT RETAILERS ONLY ORDER QUANTITIES NECESSARY TO SATISFY ANTICIPATED DEMAND. ORDERS WILL BE MONITORED BY SOA PARTS FOR REASONABLENESS BASED ON AOR ASSIGNED VIN POPULATION.
WQR-53C2017-03-08. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. UPDATE: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS WQR-53 (2005-2008 LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES). THE WQR-53 RECALL IS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL 2005-2008 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES. THIS IS AN EXPANSION FROM THE CURRENT WQP-51 LIMITED REGIONAL RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2005 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES, TO A NATIONAL RECALL FOR ALL 2005-2008 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES. PLEASE REFER TO THE 2005 LEGACY AND OUTBACK SERVICE PROCEDURE IN THE WQP-51 BULLETIN FOR 2005-2008 LEGACY AND OUTBACK REPAIRS. THE WQR-53 PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN WILL BE UPDATED ON STIS IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO REFLECT THIS EXPANSION. THE AIR BAG INFLATORS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS FOR THESE VEHICLES COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUPTURE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY ABNORMALLY IN A CRASH.
WQR-53U2017-03-08. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS. SUBJECT: UPDATE: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS WQR-53 (2005-2008 LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES). THE WQR-53 RECALL IS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL 2005-2008 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES. THIS IS AN EXPANSION FROM THE CURRENT WQP-51 LIMITED REGIONAL RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2005 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES, TO A NATIONAL RECALL FOR ALL 2005-2008 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG INFLATORS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS FOR THESE VEHICLES COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUPTURE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY ABNORMALLY IN A CRASH.
SM04 - TAKATA2017-03-07. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. UPDATED STATEMENT ON TAKATA AIRBAGS POSTED ON SUBARU.COM
SM012017-03-07. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS WQP-51
03-70-122017-03-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR HIGH-PITCHED SOUND FROM EXTENSION HOUSING AREA USING LATEST GENERATION PRODUCTION PARTS
03-68-12R2017-03-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING. THIS BULLETIN REVIEWS A CHANGE TO THE PART NUMBERS USED FOR THE TRANSFER DRIVEN GEAR BEARINGS. THESE REVISED BEARINGS ARE TO BE USED TO ENHANCE DURABILITY.
PM022017-03-03. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. PARTS MEMO: WQL48, WQM49 TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR RECALLS
PM012017-03-03. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. PARTS REMINDER: RETURNS TO TAKATA FOR WQL48 AND WQM49 AIR BAG INFLATOR
WQR-53U2017-03-03. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. UPDATE: OWNER NOTIFICATION SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS WQR]53 OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WERE MAILED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 DESCRIPTION. ALL VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE WQL-48 RECALL THAT WERE NOT YET REPAIRED WILL BE TRANSFERRED INTO TO THE WQR-53 NATIONAL RECALL. ANY OPEN WQL-48 COVERAGE WILL BE EXPIRED ONCE OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGINS.
WQR]53U2017-03-02. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. UPDATE: OWNER NOTIFICATION SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS WQR]53 OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WERE MAILED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 DESCRIPTION. ALL VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE WQL]48 RECALL THAT WERE NOT YET REPAIRED WILL BE TRANSFERRED INTO TO THE WQR]53 NATIONAL RECALL. ANY OPEN WQL]48 COVERAGE WILL BE EXPIRED ONCE OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGINS.
06-47-142017-03-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; STEERING. REVISION TO TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION FOR VDC DTC C0071
SM02 - TAKATA2017-03-02. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. RETURNS TO TAKATA FOR WQL48 AND WQM49 AIR BAG INFLATOR

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.