ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2013MY and Later Legacy/Outback
2014MY and Later Forester
2012MY and Later Impreza 2.0L NA
2013MY and Later XV Crosstrek
2013MY and Later BRZ
2015MY and Later WRX and WRX STI
2019MY and Later Ascent
SUBJECT:

NUMBER: 17-17-13R
DATE: 03/18/13
REVISED: 03/19/20

Event Data Recorder (EDR) Function of Airbag Module

INTRODUCTION
This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which
has been incorporated into the airbag system. The function of the EDR is best explained using the
following statements found in the vehicle Owner’s Manual:
“This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations such as an airbag deployment or hitting a road
obstacle, data that will assist in the understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:
•

How various systems in your vehicle were operating;

•

Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened;

•

How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;

•

How fast the vehicle was traveling.

This data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur.
NOTE: EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs. No data is
recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal data (e.g. name, gender, age
or crash location) are recorded. However, other parties such as law enforcement could combine the
EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by the EDR, special equipment is required and access to the vehicle or the
EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement,
who have special equipment will be able to read the information if they have access to the vehicle or
the EDR”.
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”
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: 17-17-13R; Revised: 03/19/20

Page 1 of 3

PARTS INFORMATION
EDR data is normally retrieved through the Data Link Connector (DLC), as long as the vehicle’s
electrical system has not been compromised.
If a severe accident occurs and EDR data cannot be retrieved through the DLC, a test harness must be
utilized to connect directly to the SRS control module for EDR retrieval.
The Test Harness part numbers listed below are available through SPX / Kent- Moore (1-800-3452233) for all non-Bosch CDR applications.
IMPORTANT: Beginning with 2020 Model Year Legacy and Outback models only, SOA will no
longer provide test harnesses for EDR data retrieval. Instead, retailers who wish to retrieve EDR
data will need to purchase a Bosch CDR tool and the applicable model’s test harness. Bosch CDR
test harnesses are only for use with the Bosch CDR tool and are NOT are compatible with the Subaru
Select Monitor. A complete change-over to the Bosch CDR tool and harnesses will be phased in as
new models are added and new generations of current models are released.
The Bosch CDR tool and harnesses can be obtained through Bosch’s distributor, Crash Data Group
Inc. by contacting 1-800-280-7940. NOTE: Crash Data Group Inc. is an independent distributor
of Bosch equipment. It is not affiliated in any way with Subaru of America, Inc. and SOA makes
no representations or warranties regarding Crash Data Group or any products it distributes. Subaru
of America, Inc. is not responsible for any loss, damage, expense, or liability resulting from the
purchase or use of any non-Subaru product, including any product distributed by Crash Data Group,
Inc.
Description

Part Number

Applicability
2013-14MY Legacy / Outback
2012MY and Later Impreza

98299FJ040

2014-18MY Forester
2013MY and Later Crosstrek
2015MY and Later WRX and STI

EDR HARNESS

2013MY and Later BRZ
98299AL040

2015-19MY Legacy / Outback

98299XC010

2019MY and Later Ascent and Forester

Bosch CDR #844

2020MY and Later Legacy / Outback

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION
CAUTION: At no time should data in any EDR be accessed by a dealer technician without having
received, in advance, proper legal authorization from the vehicle owner to view this data. Existing
laws generally provide that information recorded in an EDR is confidential and is the property of the
owner of the motor vehicle. Violations of those laws may result in both civil and criminal penalties.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 17-17-13R; Revised: 03/19/20

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Service information on the EDR may be found in the Airbag System (Diagnostics) section of the
applicable Service Manual. The EDR function may be accessed through the Airbag Systems portal
of the Subaru Select Monitor (SSMIII or SSM4).
This area is found by going to the Main Menu, selecting Each System Check and then Airbag
System. Once there, Event Record Data may be selected from the options listed. Once this area is
selected, an Important Notice screen will appear with the following message:
You will then be asked to check a box indicating that you are aware of and in compliance with the
areas outlined in the Important Notice message. Once the box is checked, the “YES” button will
become available to select so you can proceed with viewing any data that may have been collected by
the EDR.
If you have reached this area in error or have not received proper legal authorization to view any data
in the EDR, simply press “NO” to return to the Airbag System menu.
IMPORTANT: Any questions regarding compliance with applicable federal, state, or local laws
should always be directed to your dealership’s legal counsel.
NOTE: Data supplied in this Service Bulletin was accurate at the time of its publication however, it
is subject to change without notice.

Bulletin Number: 17-17-13R; Revised: 03/19/20

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