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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

Bulletins, newest first
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.
12-229-172018-04-02. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. This bulletin provides a service procedure for addressing customer concerns regarding an uneven gap between the hood and top of the headlamp.
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.
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.
16-111-182018-03-13. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability to optimize the Transmission Control Module (TCM) used with the TR580 CVT. Contamination in a fluid pressure solenoid valve can cause a DTC P0841. The new logic will allow the solenoid to operate in a manner enabling it to discharge the contamination.
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.
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.
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.
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.
12-164-142016-05-23. Service bulletin. SEATS. FILM RESIDUE REMOVAL FROM UNDERSIDE OF FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVERS

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