ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER



PARTS MANAGER



CLAIMS PERSONNEL

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

SERVICE MANAGER

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© 2020 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

2020MY Legacy and Outback
A-Pillar Trim- Gap Visible at Head Liner

NUMBER: 12-280-20
DATE: 01/31/20

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides a procedure to address a limited
number of customer concerns regarding a visible gap
between the A-Pillar trim panel and the head liner as
shown in the photo here.

PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
A production change was made to prevent this condition
from occurring starting with the following VINs:
• Legacy: L3002855
•

Outback: L3103472

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs. The
service procedures for A-Pillar trim removal and installation 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 procedure will describe four (4) conditions which may cause the gap to occur: A, B, C and D.

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.

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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-280-20; Date: 01/31/20

Page 1 of 4

•

Condition “A”

These comparison photos show the A-Pillar trim not fitting into the instrument panel (IP) properly.
The trim is contacting a structural rib of the IP and is keeping it from fitting in behind the IP as it
should.

•

Condition “B”

The NG photo below shows a portion of the side airbag
module fabric protruding from between the A-Pillar trim and
the A-Pillar of the vehicle body.

•

Condition “C”

Here, the roof harness is partially covering the surface of the trim clip attachment point. The OK
photo shows the harness properly tucked in away from the attachment point.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-280-20; Date: 01/31/20

Page 2 of 4

•

Condition “D”

The trim clip securing the trim panel to the A-Pillar must be fully seated against the locating bosses
as shown here.

Once the condition (A, B, C or D) has been identified, proceed as follows:
•

If Condition A, B or D is confirmed, the affected A-Pillar trim must be replaced as the
holding force of the clips is reduced. Follow the procedure in the applicable Service Manual.

•

If Condition C is confirmed, trim replacement is NOT needed as the clips were never
properly seated at assembly.

VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER: Whenever removing
or installing the A-Pillar trim panels, use CAUTION when
disengaging the tether clip (a). If the tether clip is damaged in
any way, it MUST be replaced.
•

Release the trim toward the center of the IP using a
plastic trim tool to access the tether clip.

•

Using a needle-nose plier or the special Tether
Clip removal tool, CAREFULLY rotate the clip to
disengage it from the trim (b).

•

Rotate the trim toward the center of the IP to remove it.

PART INFORMATION:
This information is supplied for reference only in case a replacement A-Pillar trim or tether clip is
needed.
Description

Part Number

TRIM PANEL-A PILLAR, UPPER RIGHT

94010AN10AME

TRIM PANEL-A PILLAR, UPPER LEFT

94010AN11AME

TETHER CLIP

909150040

REMINDER: Always order the most up-to-date replacement parts based on the specific VIN being
repaired.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-280-20; Date: 01/31/20

Page 3 of 4

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, this repair may be submitted using
the following claim information:
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

A-PILLAR GAP REPAIR- ONE SIDE

A913-173

0.2

A-PILLAR GAP REPAIR- BOTH SIDES

A913-174

0.3

Fail Code
YCJ-03

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: 12-280-20; Date: 01/31/20

Page 4 of 4