2003 Subaru Outback Technical Service Bulletins

189 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2003 Subaru Outback. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 10186364Jan 12, 2021Transmission and drivetrain, Engine cooling, Equipment. This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
• 10186348Jan 4, 2021Equipment, Electrical system. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information.
• 10179416Aug 26, 2020Engine cooling. This service information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models listed.
• 10179378Aug 4, 2020Equipment. Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
• 10174543Apr 30, 2020Equipment. All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
• 10171869Feb 4, 2020Air bags. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model year Baja vehicles, 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, 2004-2011 model year Impreza vehicles, and 2004-2014 WRX (including STI) vehicles equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger-side frontal air bag containing the…
• 10171076Jan 15, 2020Air bags, Equipment. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model year Baja vehicles, 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, 2004-2011 model year Impreza vehicles, and 2004- 2014 WRX (including STI) vehicles equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger-side frontal air bag containing the…
• 10171075Jan 6, 2020Air bags, Equipment. Takata Like for Like recalls- TKA20 (Zone A), TKB20 (Zone B), TKC20 (Zone C).
• 10163525Jul 11, 2019Brakes. This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the…
• 10161824May 21, 2019Equipment. Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
• 10161813May 6, 2019Equipment. To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
• 10153183Nov 13, 2018Steering. This post was revised in error. It has been corrected back and removed from the posting list. The message was corrected on 04-13-14R posting dated 11/14/2018.
• 10150949Oct 26, 2018Transmission and drivetrain, Equipment. This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator keeps a foot on the clutch pedal for extended periods, an increased amount of heat is generated which can cause the grease inside the bearing to deteriorate.
• 10150924Oct 26, 2018Transmission and drivetrain, Equipment. This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator keeps a foot on the clutch pedal for extended periods, an increased amount of heat is generated which can cause the grease inside the bearing to deteriorate.
• 10140479Feb 6, 2018Equipment, Engine. This bulletin provides details regarding a new oil filler tube o-ring developed to address engine oil seepage concerns. This seepage may accumulate along the bottom sealing surface of the rocker cover. The new o-ring utilizes material which has an increased resistance to engine heat.
• 10140424Feb 6, 2018Engine. This bulletin provides details regarding a new oil filler tube o-ring developed to address engine oil seepage concerns. This seepage may accumulate along the bottom sealing surface of the rocker cover. The new o-ring utilizes material which has an increased resistance to engine heat.
• 10120997Nov 16, 2016Equipment. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
• 10131647Sep 30, 2016Equipment. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
• 10139522May 27, 2016Air bags, Equipment. Subject: Takata Recall Expansion ? New Subaru Recall Campaigns TKA-16, TKB-16, TKC-16 covering all non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators. Each phase of the expansions will address the most at risk vehicles first and is divided into three geographic zones based on temperature fluctuations and humidity and the exposure time required under those environmental conditions to degrade the propellant to the point…
• 10139471May 4, 2016Air bags. NHTSA announced in a press conference today, the planned expansion of the airbag inflator recall to an additional 35 to 40 million vehicles from various manufacturers nationwide. We are currently assessing which of our models may be covered. We hope to make that determination soon. When specific vehicles are identified, owners will be notified plus vehicle identification numbers (VINs) can be researched on…
• 10140516Apr 12, 2016Air bags. Recall Bulletin Revised. UPDATE ? April 2016: New and different inflators are available for affected 2004-2005 Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles. As a result, there are different installation instructions depending on the inflator being installed. Please refer to the appropriate service procedure instructions and parts information which were updated to reflect the new parts.
• 10140499Apr 12, 2016Equipment. Revised TSB. The Subaru Lock Information Site (SLIS) is located at http://lockinfo.subaru.com, and provides information on how to obtain immobilizer codes and key cut codes for Subaru vehicles from the 2000MY to present. This bulletin identifies the equipment required to initialize (reset) the immobilizer code and cut the key blanks, for both immobilizer and non-immobilizer type keys.
• 10120962Feb 10, 2016Air bags. Based on ballistic testing results, it has been determined that affected vehicles with registration history in high absolute humidity (HAH) areas are more susceptible to rupture. Owner notification letters were mailed to the owners of those vehicles on January 29, 2016. On Friday, February 12, 2016 initial owner notification letters will be mailed to the current owners of non?HAH vehicles. Non?HAH vehicles have not…
• 10084290Jan 28, 2016Air bags. We announced late last month that the wqr-53 takata front passenger air bag inflator recall has been expanded to include all 2005-2008 model year legacy and outback vehicles. Due to the severity of the industry-wide takata recall situation, it is very important that all subaru retailers ensure that recalled vehicles are repaired as soon as possible.
• 10233149Jan 14, 2016Air bags. Takata Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Replacement
• 10084281Jan 14, 2016Air bags. "the vehicles included in this consolidated national recall include the following: • affected 2004-2005 impreza, wrx, and sti models from the national expansion of the wqp-51 recall • 2003-2004 legacy, outback, and baja vehicles affected by and not yet repaired under the wql-48 recall • 2004 impreza, wrx, and sti vehicles affected by and not yet repaired under the wql-48 recall • 2005-2008 legacy and outback…
• 10081079Jan 11, 2016Air bags, Equipment. The wqr-53 recall is being expanded to include all 2005-2008 model year legacy and outback vehicles. This is an expansion from the current wqp-51 limited regional recall for certain 2005 model year legacy and outback vehicles, to a national recall for all 2005-2008 model year legacy and outback vehicles. The wqr-53 product campaign bulletin has been updated on stis to reflect this expansion.
• 10093621Oct 1, 2015Air bags. Update: owner notification subaru recall campaign: front passenger air bag inflators wqr]53 owner notification letters were mailed september 30, 2015 description. All vehicles previously affected by the wql-48 recall that were not yet repaired will be transferred into to the wqr-53 national recall. Any open wql-48 coverage will be expired once owner notification begins.
• 10093536Oct 1, 2015Air bags. Update: owner notification subaru recall campaign: front passenger air bag inflators wqr]53 owner notification letters were mailed september 30, 2015 description. All vehicles previously affected by the wql]48 recall that were not yet repaired will be transferred into to the wqr]53 national recall. Any open wql]48 coverage will be expired once owner notification begins.
• 10093126Sep 25, 2015Air bags. "update – september 2015: subaru is consolidating takata recall wql-48 (14v-399) into the existing wqr-53 (15v-323) takata recall.
• 10093125Sep 25, 2015Air bags. Please be advised that subaru of america, inc. Is consolidating the wql-48 recall into the existing wqr-53 recall.
• 10093124Sep 25, 2015Air bags. "september, 2015: • this recall (wql-48) has been superseded to the wqr-53 takata front passenger air bag inflator replacement. • if a wql-48 claim was approved prior to the release of the wqr-53 recall, the vin will not be included in the wqr-53 recall. • on september 25, 2015 any incomplete wql-48 recall applicability was expired in soa’s system. î claims for wql-48 repairs submitted after this expiration date…
• 10093117Sep 18, 2015Steering. If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is parked, it may be caused by the relief valve vibrating within the pump. In lieu of replacing the power steering pump, the relief valve is now available as a replacement part.
• 10092536Aug 24, 2015Air bags. "subaru of america, inc. (soa) has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, may exist on certain 2003-2004 model year subaru legacy, outback, and baja vehicles, and certain 2004 model year subaru impreza (including wrx and sti) vehicles. The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger air bag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers.
• 10092533Aug 24, 2015Air bags. Subaru is conducting this limited regional recall to replace the front passenger air bag inflators produced by tk holdings, inc. (takata) in certain 2003-2005 model year legacy, outback, and baja vehicles and certain 2004-2005 model year impreza (including wrx/sti) vehicles currently or previously registered in the following areas of high absolute humidity.
• 10091965Jul 6, 2015Equipment. If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is parked, it may be caused by the relief valve vibrating within the pump. In lieu of replacing the power steering pump, the relief valve is now available as a replacement part.
• 10140549Jun 17, 2015Equipment, Steering. If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is parked, it may be caused by the relief valve vibrating within the pump. In lieu of replacing the power steering pump, the relief valve is now available as a replacement part.
• 10080923Jan 14, 2015Air bags. The revisement of this recall advises (wqm-49) has been superseded to the wqp-51 regional front passenger takata air bag inflator recall.
• 10080922Jan 14, 2015Air bags. This bulletin announces subaru is conducting this limited regional recall to replace the front passenger air bag inflators produced by tk holdings, inc. (takata) in certain 2003-2005 model year legacy, outback, and baja vehicles and certain 2004-2005 model year impreza (including wrx/sti) vehicles currently or previously registered in the following areas of high absolute humidity.
• 10080921Jan 13, 2015Air bags. This announcement provides a geographic expansion of the current wqm]49 takata airbag limited regional recall.
• 10233086Dec 17, 2014Air bags. Update: WQL?48 Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Recall (NHTSA ID 14V?399) ? SECOND MAILING
• 10094182Dec 17, 2014Air bags. Service memo: wql© 48 front passenger air bag inflator recall (nhtsa id 14v© 399) ¨c second mailing
• 10068678Dec 17, 2014Air bags. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10233065Dec 4, 2014Air bags. Updated Statement on Takata Airbags Posted
• 10094124Dec 4, 2014Air bags. Updated statement on takata airbags posted on subaru.com
• 10094115Dec 1, 2014Air bags. Service announcement of subaru recall campaign: front passenger air bag inflators wqp-51
• 10093696Nov 6, 2014Air bags. Parts memo: wql48, wqm49 takata front passenger air bag inflator recalls
• 10093691Nov 6, 2014Air bags. Parts reminder: returns to takata for wql48 and wqm49 air bag inflator
• 10093470Oct 15, 2014Air bags. Returns to takata for wql48 and wqm49 air bag inflator
• 10235890Sep 26, 2014Air bags. WQM?49 Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Recall (NHTSA ID 14V?471)

← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Outback