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Service bulletins for the 2018 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.

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

By type

By component

By trouble code

Only bulletins with component: Engine are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
09-51-08R2021-07-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
02-187-212021-07-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin outlines changes in the service procedure for engine oil pressure inspection.
11-200-20R2021-03-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM).
11-201-212021-03-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM). The new files will address DTC P0116 and hard starting in cold temperature concerns when an accessory engine block heater is utilized.
2163162020-11-16. 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.
07-181-202020-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. This Service Information Bulletin provides an important step currently missing from the Service Manual diagnostics for DTC B1572 “IMM CIRCUIT EXCEPT ANTENNA CIRCUIT”.
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.
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).
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.
11-200-20R2020-03-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM).
02-163-16R2019-07-22. Service bulletin. ENGINE. 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.
WUB-872019-07-01. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign for certain 2015-2018 Legacy and Outback 2.5L SULEV vehicles. This campaign involves replacement of the front exhaust pipe assembly, which includes the catalytic converter. Due to an improper part number supersession for the EPF assembly, certain SULEV vehicles which had the EPF replaced by an authorized Subaru retailer may have had a non-SULEV specification part installed. Although there is no safety risk or noticeable change in vehicle operation, performance of the emission system may be insufficient to comply with required specifications.
02-163-16R2019-05-28. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. 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.
02-170-17R2019-05-20. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID; ENGINE. This bulletin announces part information for new Active Valve Control System (AVCS) oil control solenoid valves (OCV) which contain a redesigned internal oil seal. The new seal will eliminate potential oil seepage into the wire harness connector portion of the valve. If oil seeps into the connector, over time, the Check Engine lamp may illuminate and set various AVCS-related DTCs.
02-171-18R2018-08-20. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin provides a service procedure for installation of additional foam packing to enhance performance of the Ambient Air Temperature Sensor. The additional foam better insulates the sensor from engine compartment heat which may lead to setting a DTC P0072. This information is applicable to models with or without the Active Grill Shutter (AGS) system.
02-170-172018-04-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces part information for new Active Valve Control System (AVCS) oil control solenoid valves (OCV) which contain a redesigned internal oil seal. The new seal will eliminate potential oil seepage into the wire harness connector portion of the valve. If oil seeps into the connector, over time, the Check Engine lamp may illuminate and set various AVCS-related DTCs.
11-177-182018-03-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE. This bulletin announces availability of ECM reprogramming files to optimize the ECM. These files will address isolated customer concerns of an engine RPM drop when the A/C system switches off during engine warm-up after a cold start.

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