Service bulletins for the 2019 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.
430 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
| 15-236-18R | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Reprograming file availability for optimization of Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation Head Units. |
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| 15-234-18R | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. The exchange program policy can also be found in Sections 8.4.9 and 11.2.10 of your Claims Policies and Procedures Manual found in Subarunet. |
| 07-162-19 | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Body Integrated Unit (BIU) operation of the automatic door lock (auto-lock / unlock) feature. Currently, when the vehicle is locked by the auto-lock feature, if any door other than the driver’s door is unlocked manually before the driver’s door is unlocked, the auto-unlock operation is cancelled. The new logic keeps the auto-unlock operation from being cancelled regardless of which door is opened first. |
| 15-220-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. This 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. |
| 15-231-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing specific and general audio/sound related concerns. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide-Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will assist you with this diagnosis and is required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. Once the questionnaire is completed, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning to understand the flow for the listed concerns. |
| 15-230-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns involving Bluetooth (BT) functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. Please apply the information captured in the checklist to the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) - Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-228-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing a customer concern of the display screen being either frozen (unresponsive) or black (blank). Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) > Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-247-19R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Service Information Bulletin announces availability of a map update which includes new software to address a route searching error. A “Route Calculation Unsuccessful” message may be displayed when the selected route crosses state borders (e.g. Route 53 which crosses between Alabama and Tennessee). |
| 15-227-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns of the Navigation system’s functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. |
| 15-226-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns regarding USB functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. |
| 15-229-18R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing clock-related customer concerns. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) - Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-256-19 | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides information on a new reprogramming procedure (FOTA) to optimize the Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units (H/U) utilized in the models as listed above. |
| 15-255-19 | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "On December 14th, 2018, the first TomTom map update for Gen 3.1 Harman navigation equipped vehicles was made available. While the map update process is user-friendly, we ask that retailers assist customers with the map update procedure when requested as a courtesy, an opportunity to build retailer loyalty, enhance customer satisfaction and in keeping with the Love Promise. Retailers may also want to install this map update on any certified pre-owned or pre-owned vehicles in their inventory on their own. The site (dealer.subaru-maps.com) which is unique for retailers, is not the same as what customers will be accessing at home. If Service, Sales, and/or Parts Managers do not have a login, create an account from this page. There may be a short delay while retailer approval is pending." |
| 15-236-18R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 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. |
| 15-221-18R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This bulletin provides helpful information about operating conditions observed in the field for Technicians to use when diagnosing customer concerns which may arise while operating Harman Gen 3.0 and 3.1 Navigation and Display Audio systems. We will continue to add to this bulletin as more information becomes available. |
| 15-253-19 | 2019-11-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information Bulletin provides the answer to potential inquiries regarding the STARLINK app being unable to play music files stored on a customer’s Android® phone / device through the head units (H/U) used in the applicable models listed above. This information is applicable ONLY to Android devices operating with Operating System (OS) version 10. IOS (AppleTM) devices are not affected. |
| 09-70-19 | 2019-11-01. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. This Service Information Bulletin outlines design changes made to the coolant hoses for the CVT fluid cooler and the spring-type clamps used to secure them. |
| 15-247-19 | 2019-10-31. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information Bulletin announces availability of a map update which includes new software to address a route searching error. A “Route Calculation Unsuccessful” message may be displayed when the selected route crosses state borders (e.g. Route 53 which crosses between Alabama and Tennessee). |
| 15-240-19R | 2019-10-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces availability of new Harman audio unit amplifier units with revised internal logic designed to optimize efficiency while addressing the following customer concerns: 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 Symptom 4: Loss of audio output after turning the head unit off and back on again in a short amount of time Symptom 5: Audio volume is temporarily louder than expected after ending a Bluetooth call while using navigation guidance Symptom 6: No response from the volume control knob. |
| 16-103-16R | 2019-10-01. Service bulletin. 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 likely sources of the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT’s oil pump chain cover and the input shaft oil seal. The repair involves chain cover removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces followed by re-sealing the cover and replacement of the input shaft oil seal with the new, redesigned type. |
| 16-103-16R | 2019-09-05. Service bulletin. 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 likely sources of the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT’s oil pump chain cover and the input shaft oil seal. The repair involves chain cover removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces followed by re-sealing the cover and replacement of the input shaft oil seal with the new, redesigned type" |
| 16-124-19 | 2019-09-05. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. This Service Information Bulletin announces a design change to the CVT torque converter assembly made to address a small number of reports describing a squeaking -type sound heard while the engine is being cranked over. The sound results from contact between the starter pinion gear and the converter ring gear. Both the number and length of the welds securing the ring gear to the converter shell have been increased significantly. |
| 15-234-18R | 2019-09-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. The exchange program policy can also be found in Sections 8.4.9 and 11.2.10 of your Claims Policies and Procedures Manual found in Subarunet. |
| 15-240-19R | 2019-09-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "This bulletin announces availability of new Harman audio unit amplifier units with revised internal logic designed to optimize efficiency while addressing the following customer concerns: 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 Symptom 4: Loss of audio output after turning the head unit off and back on again in a short amount of time Symptom 5: Audio volume is temporarily louder than expected after ending a Bluetooth call while using navigation guidance Symptom 6: No response from the volume control knob." |
| 15-236-18R | 2019-08-30. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 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. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.