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IMPORTANT - All
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SERVICE MANAGER

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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models
with 2.5L FB Engines
2011-14MY Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines
2015 MY Forester (Manual Transmissions Only)
with 2.5L FB Engines
2012-13 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models
with 2.0 FB Engines
2014-15 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models
(Manual Transmissions Only) with 2.0 FB Engines

NUMBER: 02-157-14R
DATE: 08/28/14
REVISED: 03/06/18

SUBJECT:
Engine Oil Consumption
INTRODUCTION
As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program
to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oil
consumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date.
This Warranty Extension will not cover any excessive engine oil consumption found to be a result of
any condition(s) other than those specifically described in this bulletin.
This condition must be verified during an inspection and when determined necessary, an oil
consumption test performed by an authorized Subaru retailer. SOA will inform vehicle owners this
condition may exist via a customer letter. For vehicles within the coverage guidelines listed in this
bulletin, customers can schedule an inspection appointment with an authorized Subaru retailer.
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS perform a Vehicle Coverage Inquiry on Subarunet to determine
eligibility for this Warranty Extension before proceeding. The VIN should also be checked for any
open campaigns or recalls at this time. See sample inquiry result below.

Effective immediately through April 21, 2017, ALL affected vehicles, regardless of mileage and
warranty start date will be covered for these repairs. All inspections and repairs must be completed
prior to the April 21, 2017 expiration date of this Warranty Extension.
IMPORTANT: In the event a vehicle has exceeded 100,000 miles prior to April 21, 2017, please
contact the Subaru Claims Team at: 1-866-782-2782 to register the mileage PRIOR to claim
submission.
After April 21, 2017, this coverage extends the vehicle’s Powertrain Limited Warranty as it applies
to excessive engine oil consumption to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date
providing additional coverage for some vehicles. All inspections and repairs must be completed prior
to expiration of this 8-year /100,000 Warranty Extension.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 03/06/18

Page 1

This bulletin contains several important revisions regarding warranty coverage and for determining
when an engine oil consumption test should be performed. Review the entire bulletin to ensure
full understanding of these and other changes.
Immediately delete and discard any electronic or paper copies you may have saved locally as they
are no longer valid. If you have any locally saved copies of Service Bulletins 02-143-13R, 02-14413R and 02-145-13R, delete or discard them as they have been invalid since the original release
date of this bulletin and should never be used. Vehicles confirmed as having an excessive oil
consumption condition which are within the supplied VIN ranges, will continue to be repaired by
replacing the engine short block assembly.
VERY IMPORTANT: Read and understand this bulletin COMPLETELY before starting an oil
consumption test or initiating any repairs.
It is critical to confirm the actual condition prior to attempting repairs. Some oil consumption
should be expected as a by-product of engine operation. Failure to recognize this along with
incorrectly diagnosing the condition can result in unnecessary repairs.
Examples of acceptable engine oil consumption:
•
•

A vehicle not equipped with a low engine oil level warning lamp and found to have an
engine oil level at or below the add mark on the dipstick after having traveled 4000 miles or
more since the last engine oil change does not require an oil consumption test be completed.
A vehicle equipped with a low engine oil level warning lamp** which has illuminated
after having traveled 5000 miles or more since the last recorded engine oil change does not
require an oil consumption test be completed.

The information supplied in this bulletin is only applicable to vehicles within the provided specific
production ranges and confirmed as having an oil consumption rate of MORE THAN one-third
(1/3) of a quart (10.6 fluid ounces) in 1200 miles as determined by an engine oil consumption test.
Concerns related to a possible oil consumption condition are generally initiated when the customer
believes the engine oil level on the dipstick has dropped since the last time it was checked or when
the low oil lamp illuminates. It is important to understand all the factors involved when determining
if a repair is required or an oil consumption test should even be started.
REMINDER: Some oil consumption should be expected as a by-product of engine operation.
How much and when it is consumed varies according to manufacturing tolerances, wear, and vehicle
usage patterns. With the extended service intervals commonly used for today’s engines combined
with one or more of the conditions listed below, it may be necessary to add engine oil between the
scheduled maintenance intervals:
•
•

•
•
•

When the engine is new and within the break-in period (during the first
1000 miles)
When the engine oil being used is of lower quality (other than “Energy or
Resource Conserving” API Classification SM or SN or ILSAC, look for
the
starburst design with GF-4 or GF-5)
When the incorrect oil viscosity is used
When engine braking is employed
When the engine is operated at high engine speeds (continually or under
frequent, hard acceleration)
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 03/06/18

Page 2

•
•
•
•
•

When the engine is operated under heavy loads (frequent carrying of heavy cargo, passengers
or trailer towing)
When idling for extended periods
When the vehicle is operated in stop and go and/or heavy traffic situations
When the vehicle is used under severe temperature conditions (cold or hot)
When the vehicle accelerates and decelerates frequently.

Under these or similar operating conditions, the oil level should be checked more frequently. The
engine oil and filter may also need to be changed more often.
As related information, the low oil level warning light (if equipped) is designed to illuminate when
the engine oil level is approximately 1.1 quarts below full (engine OFF). Keep in mind, oil remains
suspended in the engine while running and will not fully drain back until the engine has been shut
off for at least 5 minutes. For this reason, the oil level should not be checked for at least 5 minutes
after shutting the engine off. See Section 3 of the Owner’s Manual for more information on the oil
level warning system.
**NOTE: A procedure to reduce false illumination of low oil level warning lamp (if equipped)
is provided later in this bulletin for how to address customer concerns of the low engine oil level
warning lamp illuminating prematurely when the oil level is either full or nearly full.
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION
Redesigned piston rings were incorporated into production as per the table below. Vehicles with
VINs / engine numbers PRIOR to those listed below should be repaired following the procedures
outlined in this TSB and the applicable Service Manual.
MODEL

MODEL YEAR

STARTING VIN

ENGINE NUMBER

All

All

Below F*543624

Below 527514

All

All

Below E*529004

Below 132164

All

All

Below F*270253

Below 627010

All

All

2013

Below D*033336

Below 930025 (FA1 Line*)
or 652640 (FB2 Line*)

2012

All

All

Below D*886714

Below 930025 (FA1 Line*)
or 652640 (FB2 Line*)

2011-14
2015
Forester

2011-13
2014

Impreza 4- &
5-Door

Impreza
4-Door

Impreza
5-Door

2012-14

TRANSMISSION
MT

4AT or CVT

MT

2015
2012
CVT

CVT
2013
2013-14

MT

All

All

2013

CVT

Below D*048086

Below 151602

Legacy

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 03/06/18

Page 3

MODEL

MODEL YEAR

TRANSMISSION

STARTING VIN

ENGINE NUMBER

2013-14

MT

All

All

2013

CVT

Below D*321435

Below 151602

All

All

Below F*270284

Below 627010

Below D*856139

Below 930025 (FA1 Line*)
or 652640 (FB2 Line*)

Outback

2013-14
MT
XV Crosstrek

2015
2013

CVT

* NOTE: When determining the engine number, use the LAST 8
characters of the number stamped into the boss on top of the block
adjacent to the starter and shown in the illustration. The engine number
range for the FA1 assembly line is 800000 to 930025 and the FB2 range
is 000000 to 652640.
Engine
Number
Location

PART INFORMATION
The chart below provides a required part list for the short block
replacement procedure. This list is provided as a reference only and
may not be totally complete depending on the needs of your specific
repair. Always verify with your Parts Department that all needed
parts with the most up-to-date part numbers are ordered.

PART NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

QTY. /REPAIR

2014-2015MY Forester

10103AC600
10103AC700*

APPLICABILITY

2013-2014MY Legacy & Outback
2013MY XV Crosstrek 2.0L CVT
Short Block Assy.

1

2013-2015MY XV Crosstrek 2.0L MT

10103AC420*

2012-2013MY Impreza 2.0L CVT

10103AC690*

2012-2015MY Impreza 2.0L MT

10103AC660

2011-2013MY Forester

11821AA660

PCV Adaptor

1

44011AC030

Exhaust Gasket

2

44616AA200

Center Pipe Gasket

1

14035AA580

Intake Gasket

2

14852AA040
14738AA150
806912190
806924120
806915100
806916080

EGR Pipe Gasket
O-Ring, Chain Cover
O-Ring, Tensioner

1
1
3
1
1

Up to 1/2012

1

2/2012 and Later

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 03/06/18

Page 4

PART NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

QTY. /REPAIR

10966AA040
13270AA240
13272AA170
13270AA27A*
13272AA21A*
806915170
11044AA790
10944AA080
11044AA780*
10944AA070*
11122AA350
806949060
806932030
21236AA050
806939060
806750080
16608KA000
16698AA110
15208AA15A
803916010
806933010