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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2015-16MY Legacy and Outback
2012-16MY Impreza

2013-19MY Crosstrek

2013-19MY Forester
2015-16MY WRX and STI

NUMBER: 12-203-16R
DATE: 07/14/16
REVISED: 05/08/20

SUBJECT: Squeaking Sound from Front Seat Buckle
INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating
from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame. A design change was
made to the wave washer used at the attachment point to eliminate the sound. The sound can be
heard when moving the buckle assembly side to side.
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
The new wave washer was incorporated into production during mid-March, 2016.
PART INFORMATION:
The part number for the new wave washer is 64168FL000.

The 3 “tangs” seen on the inside of the
OLD wave washer have been deleted.
The inside diameter of the NEW spring
wave washer has been decreased and a
small felt added to allow the washer to
turn smoother with the buckle and have
a better fit on the shoulder portion of the
retaining bolt.
OLD Wave Washer

NEW Spring Wave Washer

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: 12-203-16; Date: 07/14/16

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SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
VERY IMPORTANT: Before proceeding with this repair, always follow all of the applicable
precautions whenever working with the Airbag and / or Occupant Detection Systems.
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After confirming the customer concern and isolating the squeaking sound to the seat belt
buckle bolt / washer, remove the affected front seat assembly to gain access following the
procedure in the applicable Service Manual.
Remove the retaining nut, seat belt buckle assembly and old wave washer from the seat
frame.
Inspect the area where the old wave washer was for any roughness and if found, carefully
smooth the area with either a small flat file and / or sandpaper as necessary.
Use a finger to collect a small amount of excess grease found at the rear of the seat slide rail.
Apply the grease to both sides of the new spring wave washer and the shouldered portion of
the seat belt buckle mounting bolt (stud). DO NOT apply grease to the bolt threads.
Install the new spring wave washer onto the groove in the shouldered portion of the mounting
bolt as shown below. The felt portion should be at about the 6:00 position (pointing down).

Shouldered
Portion

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IMPORTANT: CAREFULLY reinstall the seat belt buckle assembly onto the shouldered
portion against the wave washer and hold it firmly in place while tightening the retaining nut.
Torque the retaining nut to 38 Nm (28 ft. lbs.) and confirm the seat belt buckle assembly
moves freely. If the buckle assembly feels like it is binding, make sure the spring wave
washer and / or buckle assembly did not come off the shouldered portion of the mounting
bolt while the retaining nut was being tightened. If the spring wave washer came off, it most
likely was pinched and damaged, requiring replacement. DO NOT try to straighten / reuse it.
Reinstall the seat assembly in reverse order of removal.
IMPORTANT: Torque the four (4) seat assembly retaining bolts to 53 Nm (39 ft. lbs.) using
the sequence shown in the illustration below.

Road test the vehicle to confirm the repair along with proper operation of the Airbag and
Occupant Detection System warning lamps.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 12-203-16; Date: 07/14/16

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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
ONE INNER FRONT SEAT BELT
BUCKLE SQUEAK REPAIR
BOTH INNER FRONT SEAT BELT
BUCKLES SQUEAK REPAIR

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

A913-983

0.3

Fail Code
YNZ-25

A913-984

0.5

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
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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: 12-203-16; Date: 07/14/16

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