ATTENTION:

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q

IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

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PARTS MANAGER

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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

SUBJECT:

NUMBER: 04-21-18

2012-2016MY Impreza
2013-2017MY Crosstrek
2014-2018MY Forester

DATE: 07/24/18

Uneven Steering Effort

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin announces availability of a new Electronic Power Steering (EPS) gear box assembly
designed to address a VERY limited number of customer concerns regarding uneven steering effort
felt when turning left or right. In areas where high concentrations of road salt are used to melt ice and
snow, corrosion may develop and cause a portion of the gear box housing to crack if the vehicle were
to suffer a large enough impact from hitting a pothole or similar type of road hazard.
VERY IMPORTANT: Should this condition occur, there will NOT be a complete loss of steering
assist.
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
On Forester models, the new steering gear box assembly was incorporated into production starting
with VIN J*462815. Since this change took place after production ended for all but 2018 MY
Forester, there are no starting VINs for the other applicable models.
PART INFORMATION:
Description

Steering Gear Box
Assembly, EPS

Part Number

Applicability

34110SG021

2014-16MY Forester

34110SG090

2017-18MY Forester

34110FJ151

2012-14MY Impreza

34110FJ231

2015-16MY Impreza

34110FJ091

2013-14MY Crosstrek

34110FJ181

2014MY Crosstrek

34110FJ261

2015-17MY Crosstrek

Continued...
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: 04-21-18; Date 07/24/18

Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Page 1 of 3

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention
starts with performing quality repairs.
If a vehicle is presented with a customer concern of
uneven steering wheel effort felt when turning, after
confirming the condition, inspect the steering gear
box in the circled area shown in the illustration for
any evidence of cracking.
To determine if the steering gear box is a new-style unit, verify and compare the part number on the
label located on the bottom cover of the pinion as shown below to the Part Information table on
pg. 1. The new assemblies have been re-designed in addition to utilizing materials having improved
rust and corrosion resistance.

If a crack is confirmed, the EPS steering gear box assembly must be replaced. The service procedures
for replacing the assembly remain unchanged. Always refer to the applicable Service Manual and
review the full requirements of the repair being performed. The Service Manual procedures contain
information critical to performing an effective repair the first time and every time. This includes but
is not limited to: important SAFETY precautions, proper inspection criteria, necessary special tools,
required processes and related one-time-use parts needed for a complete and lasting repair.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru
Added Security Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim
information:
Labor Description

Labor
Operation #

Labor
Time

EPS GEAR BOX ASSEMBLY R&R (Includes R&R of all necessary components,
Steering Position Sensor Calibration & Steering Toe Adjustment.)

B659-400

1.5

EPS TESTING & DIAGNOSIS

C659-011

0.5

SUBLET REPAIR, ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES

C101-108

0.3

Fail
Code
RDK-02

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 04-21-18; Date 07/24/18

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IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as
previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Bulletin Number: 04-21-18; Date 07/24/18

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