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Service bulletins for the 2012 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.

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

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By component

By trouble code

Bulletins, newest first
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.
07-131-182018-03-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS. This bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of the DTCs listed above to set and result in the related system?s (e. g. VDC and/or EyeSight) warning lamp to illuminate.
16-107-17R2017-12-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. CVT MODELS ONLY. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Powertrain Warranty coverage for the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on the above listed models and model years from the original five (5) years or sixty thousand (60,000) miles (whichever comes first) to ten (10) years or one-hundred thousand (100,000) miles (whichever comes first). This change is not in response to any specific condition, rather it is to provide customers with added assurance regarding the function and overall performance of their CVT. Additionally, vehicles which are more than ten (10) years old or beyond one-hundred thousand (100,000) miles at the time customer notification letters are mailed are being offered additional coverage for a period of one-year from the date of the customer notification letters.
15-193-16R2017-10-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). All 2012 to 2015 Models Equipped with Fujitsu Ten (F10) Generation 1 (Gen1) Audio / Navigation Systems. This bulletin announces a new procedure for updating the operating software used in F10 Gen1 audio / navigation systems. This new procedure eliminates the need to exchange the head unit / SD card to obtain software-related updates and operating enhancements.
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.
12-117-10R2017-09-14. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY; STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. MODELS WITH SUNROOFS ONLY. If you encounter a customer complaint of water leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the map light area, the following 2 areas should be inspected closely for a potential source or cause: * The leak could be caused by water leaking past the sunroof cable mechanism. To remedy the condition, silicone sealer will need to be carefully applied to both of the front end caps. * One or both of the sunroof drain tubes may be kinked or restricted causing water accumulated in the frame assembly to overflow and leak into the interior.
16-107-172017-09-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. CVT MODELS ONLY. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Powertrain Warranty coverage for the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on the above listed models and model years from the original five (5) years or sixty thousand (60,000) miles (whichever comes first) to ten (10) years or one-hundred thousand (100,000) miles (whichever comes first). This change is not in response to any specific condition, rather it is to provide customers with added assurance regarding the function and overall performance of their CVT. Additionally, vehicles which are more than ten (10) years old or beyond one-hundred thousand (100,000) miles at the time customer notification letters are mailed are being offered additional coverage for a period of one-year from the date of the customer notification letters. A copy of the customer letter is attached to this bulletin as reference.
ONEILL2017-08-14. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, SOA is announcing a Low-Beam Halogen Headlamp Bulb Warranty Enhancement program. This extends warranty coverage for 2010 - 2012 Legacy (for the 2012 model year, the affected models are vehicles that were manufactured through August 8, 2011) and 2010 - 2012 Outback (for the 2012 model year, the affected models are vehicles that were manufactured through August 22, 2011) vehicles sold or leased in the United States ("Affected Vehicles"). Please note that this is not a recall. If a vehicle is presented in which one or more low-beam halogen headlamp bulb(s) are not "burned out," no repair is necessary.
16-102-162017-08-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TSB: All Models Equipped with CVT Transmissions. This Service Information bulletin provides a new flow chart and additional diagnostic tools to assist Technicians with troubleshooting DTC P0841- SECONDARY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR PERFORMANCE.
16-103-16R2017-08-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN. This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly. Investigation has identified a likely source of the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT's oil pump chain cover. The repair involves removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces followed by re-sealing the cover.
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
16-95-15R2017-08-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE); POWER TRAIN. Only models with CVT Transmission. This bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for confirmation of a suspected CVT chain slip condition. Examples of customer concerns may be: abnormal transmission operating sounds, a shudder or vibration sensation, lack of power, hesitation, engine rpm rise without increase in vehicle speed or in isolated cases, a Check Engine Lamp illumination (with engine misfire DTCs stored in the ECM memory).
16-103-162017-08-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN. Only Models Equipped with TR690 CVT only. This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly. Investigation has identified a likely source of the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT's oil pump chain cover. The repair involves removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces followed by re-sealing the cover.
11-126-122017-03-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE. DTC P0456 REPROGRAMMING FILE AVAILABILITY
16-85-12R2017-03-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. CVT SECONDARY PRESSURE SENSOR DIAGNOSTICS
16-80-11R2017-03-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT OIL TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMP FLASHING
11-111-12R2017-03-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. P0128 COOLANT THERMOSTAT (ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE BELOW THERMOSTAT REGULATING TEMPERATURE)
06-51-15R2017-03-06. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF A NEW FRONT DISC BRAKE PAD, SHIM, GREASE AND CLIP KIT DESIGNED TO REDUCE CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF EXCESSIVE BRAKE SQUEAL. THIS NEW KIT ELIMINATES THE “SLOTTED” SHIM WHICH PREVIOUSLY WAS INSTALLED BETWEEN THE RUBBER-COATED OUTER SHIM AND THE BRAKE PAD.
16-97-152017-03-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE FOR DIAGNOSING A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A DELAYED AND / OR HARSH ENGAGEMENT OF THE CVT (MODEL TR580) WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL. ALL 2013-16MY, 4-CYLINDER, N/A MODELS WITH CVT
02-158-142017-03-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TENSIONER COMPONENT CHANGES
06-51-152017-03-03. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF A NEW FRONT DISC BRAKE PAD, SHIM, GREASE AND CLIP KIT DESIGNED TO REDUCE CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF EXCESSIVE BRAKE SQUEAL. THIS NEW KIT ELIMINATES THE “SLOTTED” SHIM WHICH PREVIOUSLY WAS INSTALLED BETWEEN THE RUBBER-COATED OUTER SHIM AND THE BRAKE PAD.
06-47-142017-03-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; STEERING. REVISION TO TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION FOR VDC DTC C0071
03-67-12R2017-03-02. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REMANUFACTURED CVT PROGRAM - SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR FIRST-EVER REMANUFACTURED CVT PROGRAM.
02-155-14R2017-03-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. INTERCOOLER/INTAKE AIR DUCT - THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF A REVISED REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE DUCT FOR THE TURBOCHARGED VEHICLES SPECIFIED ABOVE.
16-85-122017-03-01. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES AN INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS METHOD FOR THE CVT’S SECONDARY PRESSURE SENSOR WHICH IF FAILED, COULD CREATE A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A SQUEALING-TYPE SOUND DURING LIGHT THROTTLE APPLICATION.

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