ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER

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PARTS MANAGER

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CLAIMS PERSONNEL

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
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SERVICE MANAGER

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

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

2020MY Legacy and Outback

NUMBER: 07-176-20

SUBJECT:

DTCs B118B, B11E5, B11E6 in Driver Monitoring
System (DMS)

DATE: 05/18/20

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin announces availability of DMS reprogramming files to address the following DTCs:
B118B, B11E5, B11E6 when they appear in memory all at the same time as a group. A workflow to
follow for proper diagnosis is also supplied in the Service Procedure section below.
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
This new DMS logic was incorporated into production vehicles starting with the following VINs:
•

Legacy: L3005662

•

Outback: L3116345.

PACK FILE APPLICABILITY:
Model

PAK File Name

2020MY Legacy and Outback Models
with Driver Focus System

98401AN00AtoB-1.pak2
98401AN00AtoB-2.pak2

Old BIU Part
Number
98401AN00A

Decryption
Keyword
B80240B9
E33027FA

NOTE: BOTH Pack files listed in the table above above MUST be installed to complete this
software update.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
Workflow:
Step1) Using the SSM4, check for any stored DTCs.
Step2) Diagnose any stored DTCs OTHER THAN B118B, B11E5, B11E6 stored in DMS system.
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: 07-176-20; Date: 05/18/20

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Step3) Turn the Ignition OFF then back ON again.
Step4) Recheck again for any stored DTCs.
CHECK #1: Are DTCs B118B, B11E5, B11E6 stored together in DMS system?
○ YES: Check for any memorized (past) DTCs.
○ NO: Diagnose any other stored DTCs per the applicable Service Manual.
CHECK #2: Is either B11E7 or B11E8 stored in memory?
○ YES: Diagnose per the applicable Service Manual.
○ NO: Proceed to Step 5 below.
Step5) Before installation of the first reprogramming file can be accomplished, the DMS / CAN
system must be “put to sleep” using the following procedure:
a) Switch the Ignition OFF
b) Close all windows, doors and rear gate
c) Wait approximately 2 minutes
d) When the red LED in the small DMS window
located above the CP-1 multi-function touch
screen display goes out, the DMS is “asleep”.
NOTE: For push-button start vehicles, the keyless
access remote must be at least 7 feet away for the
system to go to sleep.
IMPORTANT: This DMS requires installation of 2 reprogramming files as shown above. Each
file will take about 15 minutes to install. BOTH update files MUST be installed. If this update
has been performed previously, a “Latest version already installed” message will be displayed
when beginning installation of the first file. Due to the system structure, the FlashWrite
reprogramming procedure must be performed twice (once for each file) to complete the update.
REMINDER: Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) highly recommends connecting either the Subaru
Midtronics DCA-8000 Dynamic Diagnostic Charging System or the Subaru Midtronics GR8-100
Diagnostic Battery Charger to the vehicle and utilizing the Power Supply Mode feature to supply
a stable 13.5 volts anytime a vehicle control module is being reprogrammed.
Once the Midtronics charger is connected to the vehicle, if the battery is fully charged, it takes
less than three (3) minutes to boot-up the charger, select the Power Supply Mode, and have the
battery voltage stabilized and ready for reprogramming.
NOTES:
For instructions on using the power supply mode, reference the applicable User Manual for the
Midtronics DCA-8000 Dynamic Diagnostic Charging System and the Midtronics GR8-1100
Diagnostic Battery Charger on STIS.
Confirm all electrical loads such as lights, audio, HVAC, seat heaters, and rear defroster are all
switched OFF before setting up the charger for Power Supply Mode.
Select the correct battery type (Flooded, EFB, Gel, AGM or AGM Spiral).

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 07-176-20; Date: 05/18/20

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Input the CCA which matches the vehicle’s battery. NOTE: OE and replacement batteries have
different CCA ratings. Always confirm the battery’s CCA rating before proceeding.
If using a DCA-8000 Dynamic Diagnostic Charging System, set the power supply voltage to
13.5 volts.
DO NOT connect the DST-i or SDI until the Power Supply mode function has completed its
battery test mode and the Charging Voltage has dropped to and shows a steady 13.5 Volts on the
display.
Once Power Supply Mode reaches a steady 13.5 volts, connect the DST-i or SDI to the OBD
connector and proceed with initiating the normal FlashWrite reprogramming process.
Amperage will fluctuate based upon the vehicle’s demand for power. NOTE: If the voltage rises
beyond 14V while programming is in process, the procedure will abort. This can indicate a need
to test or charge the vehicle battery before any further attempt at programming is made.
VERY IMPORTANT:
This information is applicable to the Subaru Midtronics DCA-8000 Dynamic Diagnostic
Charging System and the Subaru Midtronics GR8-1100 Diagnostic Battery Charger ONLY.
It does not apply to any other brand / type of “generic” battery charger whatsoever. ONLY
the DCA-8000 and the GR8-1100 and their Power Supply Mode feature have been tested and
approved by SOA.
REMINDER: If the DCA-8000 or GR8-1100 indicates the vehicle’s battery must be charged,
charge it fully using the DCA-8000 or GR8-1100 before proceeding to reprogram the vehicle
using the Power Supply Mode.
NOTE: Control module failures resulting from battery discharge during reprogramming are
not a matter for warranty. Should any DTCs reset after the reprogramming update is performed,
diagnose per the procedure outlined in the applicable Service Manual.
Step6) Proceed with reprogramming. Install the FIRST of TWO DMS update files:
98401AN00AtoB-1.pak2 using FlashWrite.
NOTE: If during the reprogramming, the screen shown here is displayed ignore it and select
OK. If no error screen is displayed, select OK.
Step7) After the FIRST file installation is successfully completed, switch the Ignition back on and
repeat the FlashWrite procedure to install the SECOND file: 98401AN00AtoB-2.pak2.
Step8) After successful installation of BOTH update files, switch the Ignition back ON and using
the SSM4, check for any stored DTCs.
CHECK: Are any of DTC B118B, B11E5, B11E6 stored?
○ YES: Diagnose any stored DTC per the applicable Service Manual.
○ NO: Proceed to Step 9.
Step9) Repeat Step 5 above and put the CAN / DMS system back to sleep.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 07-176-20; Date: 05/18/20

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Step10) Using the SSM4, confirm the DMS Part Number to
confirm the update was successful. Go to: Diagnosis
> Confirm VIN > Each System > Driver Monitor
(scroll down) > Work Support > ECU Parts Number.
When the update has been completed successfully,
the ECU p.n. displayed will be 98401AA00B. Select
OK to complete the procedure.

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

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

Fail Code

DRIVER MONITORING SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING

A067-458

0.8

ZTC-48

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: 07-176-20; Date: 05/18/20

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