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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.

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Only bulletins with component: Equipment and accessories are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
15-211-17R2018-07-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed above. The procedure will involve either downloading the software update files from Subarunet (or using those sent directly from Nuspire) and transferring them onto a flash drive for head unit installation. It is VERY IMPORTANT to read and understand this information completely before proceeding.
15-214-17R2018-06-18. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
15-217-182018-06-11. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces availability of new audio system amplifiers to address the following operating concerns with the Harman Kardon Gen 3 infotainment system: Symptom 1: No audio output is heard but, the volume level displayed changes when turning the knob Symptom 2: Audio volume increases to maximum intermittently without turning the knob Symptom 3: A buzzing, screeching or crackling-type sound is heard coming through the speakers.
15-211-17R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed above. The procedure will involve either downloading the software update files from Subarunet (or using those sent directly from Nuspire) and transferring them onto a flash drive for head unit installation.
15-217-182018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces availability of new audio system amplifiers to address the following operating concerns with the Harman Kardon Gen 3 infotainment system: Symptom 1: No audio output is heard but, the volume level displayed changes when turning the knob Symptom 2: Audio volume increases to maximum intermittently without turning the knob Symptom 3: A buzzing, screeching or crackling-type sound is heard coming through the speakers.
15-211-17R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed above. The procedure will involve either downloading the software update files from Subarunet (or using those sent directly from Nuspire) and transferring them onto a flash drive for head unit installation.
17-17-13R2018-05-29. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. NOTE: The Airbag systems used on previous and current WRX, STI and Tribeca models are NOT equipped with EDR functionality. This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system. The function of the EDR is best explained using the following statements found in the vehicle Owner?s Manual: ?This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations such as an airbag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in the understanding how a vehicle?s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: ? How various systems in your vehicle were operating; ? Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened; ? How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; ? How fast the vehicle was traveling. This data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
15-211-17R2018-05-29. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed above. The procedure will involve either downloading the software update files from Subarunet (or using those sent directly from Nuspire) and transferring them onto a flash drive for head unit installation. It is VERY IMPORTANT to read and understand this information completely before proceeding.
15-220-182018-04-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This Service Information 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
15-214-17R2018-04-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. 2018 Audio/Navigation Exchange Component Identification and Procedures. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
15-211-17R2018-04-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head units utilized. The procedure will involve either downloading the software update files from Subarunet (or using those sent directly from Nuspire) and transferring them onto a flash drive for head unit installation.
HARMON-TSG2018-03-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; EQUIPMENT. The content of this ?Technical Support Guide? is based mostly on the respective region?s owner?s manual supplements for the Gen3.0 infotainment (HARMAN model Navigation/Audio) system.
15-216-182018-03-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS ONLY. This Service Information bulletin provides detailed part information along with installation instructions for the optional 2018MY 50th Anniversary badges designed to commemorate 50 Years of Subaru in America.
15-214-172018-03-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; 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.
hk-questionaire-2018-03-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Post launch conditions may occur where certain combinations of inputs result in undesirable outputs. As such it is critical to gather all the details surrounding these events to allow SBR and Harman the ability to duplicate and then evaluate what is needed and then improve the system accordingly to prevent the undesired outcome in the future.
07-124-172017-12-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability to optimize the Body Integrated Unit (BIU) and address the following customer concerns: ? If a customer exits the vehicle with the ignition OFF, all the doors closed and leaves the hazard warning switch ON, after about 75 seconds, the access key (models with push-button start) or the RKE fob buttons (models with key start) will not lock or unlock the doors. ? The power driver seat position control buttons are inoperative when opening the driver?s door after the push-button ignition switch is OFF. ? The power rear gate (PRG) is inoperative when using the dashboard control buttons or the access key button when the push-button ignition switch is OFF and all doors are closed.
13-100-172017-09-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Note: This is the most accurate information available at the time of printing. Various paint manufacturers designate their own stock numbers and coding information although many of the major suppliers are now using the SOA paint codes to help eliminate possible confusion. Their color formulations are updated on a continual basis. Some vendors may have different color names than those provided to them by SOA. Be sure to double-check the codes and formulas beforehand to help insure an accurate color match. Should discrepancies arise, please refer your Body Shop contact inquiries to the specific paint vendor or their jobber / supplier for the most updated formula information. The paint coding information can be found on the vehicle's VIN plate.

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