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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2015-2018MY Legacy and Outback
2012-2018MY Impreza
2013-2018MY Crosstrek
2014-2018MY Forester
2015-2018MY WRX
SUBJECT:

NUMBER: 16-112-18R
DATE: 03/15/18
REVISED: 11/06/18

Ignition Key Sticking / Design Change to CVT
Shifter / Selector Lever Components

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to
isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the ignition switch when the
vehicle is in Park. The cause is contamination of the Park-Range switch internal components.
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
The new select lever components were incorporated into production as per the table below:
Vehicle / Model

Starting VIN

Legacy

J*017478

Outback

J*245513

Impreza

J*605062

Crosstrek

J*712211

Forester

J*441815

WRX

J*808100

PART INFORMATION:
IMPORTANT NOTES:
•

The term PLATE-GUIDE B refers to the Park-Range switch which is a serviceable part of
the select lever assembly on all models listed above EXCEPT Legacy and Outback. See the
illustrations provided below for more details.

•

For Legacy and Outback, the shifter assembly (SELECT LEVER COMPLETE) must be
replaced if the Park-Range switch is found to be faulty.
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: 16-112-18R; Revised 11/06/18

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 4

Description

Part Number

Applicability
2012-2016MY Impreza

35122FJ033
PLATE-GUIDE B

CLAMP
SELECT LEVER COMPLETE

2013-2017MY Crosstrek
2014-2018MY Forester
2015-2018MY WRX

35122AJ162

2018MY Crosstrek

35122FL00B

2017-2018MY Impreza

35164AJ000
35164AJ010

1-Time Use items, must be replaced
whenever installing PLATE-GUIDE B on
above models, 1 of each required.

35111AL00B

2015-2017MY Legacy & Outback

For Legacy and Outback:

For all other models listed:

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
NOTE: The diagnostics below were previously supplied in the June 2017 issue of TIPS.
•

After confirming the customer concern of not being able to remove the key from the ignition
switch, check the following PID for Key lock solenoid output (Figure 1 below) in the Body
Integrated Unit (BIU) current data display.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-112-18R; Revised 11/06/18

Page 2 of 4

•

If the Key lock solenoid output is displayed as Lock, the next step in diagnosis should be to
check the following PID (Figure 2 below).

•

P SW is the park range switch, located in the AT shifter assembly. If the shifter is in the Park
position and this PID remains OFF, suspect an issue with either the park range switch or the
related wiring. Check for drink spills, previous interior repairs, modifications and the shift
lever position itself. Troubleshooting procedures can be found in the applicable Service
Manual under the AT Shift Lock Control System > KEY INTERLOCK CANNOT BE
LOCKED OR RELEASED.

After diagnosis has confirmed the Park-Range switch to be faulty, either:
a) Replace the SELECT LEVER COMPLETE assembly (on Legacy and Outback models) or,
b) Replace the Park-Range switch (PLATE-GUIDE B) following the Select Lever disassembly /
assembly procedure in the applicable Service Manual.
IMPORTANT TIP: After removing the shift knob there will be a white plastic rod / plunger
protruding from the top of the chrome lever. Use a permanent marker and mark its position as shown
in the photo so it can be put back in the same place during reassembly. The bottom end has a notch in
it which must be in the correct position for proper operation of the mechanism.

After Select Lever reassembly is complete, be sure to confirm the following:
•

the combination meter indicator matches the select lever position when changing from “P”
range to “D” range

•

the select lever position and indicator match each other

•
•

the select lever operates smoothly from “P” to “D” and back to “P” range
the ignition key can be removed from the ignition lock when the vehicle is in Park.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-112-18R; Revised 11/06/18

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WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru
Added Security Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information:
Labor Description
A/T SHIFT LOCK TESTING
PARK-RANGE SWITCH (SELECT LEVER COMPLETE)
R&R LEGACY & OUTBACK ONLY
PARK-RANGE SWITCH R&R, (ALL OTHER MODELS
LISTED IN THIS BULLETIN)

Labor
Labor
Operation # Time
B308-001

Fail
Code

0.4
0.6

C308-161

MJX-43

1.3

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: 16-112-18R; Revised 11/06/18

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