ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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

SERVICE PROGRAM BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2015 MY WRX 2.0L DIT Models
NUMBER: WQW-58R
2014-2015 MY Forester 2.0L DIT Models
DATE: February 10, 2016
REVISED: August 14, 2017
SUBJECT: Engine Control Module (ECM)
Reprogramming
INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require ECM
reprogramming.
This bulletin includes the service procedure for diagnosis and repair of customer concerns involving
engine idle roughness or, in some cases, engine noise and/or damage resulting from spark knock
(pre-ignition). The Engine Control Module logic has also been optimized requiring the ECM
reprogramming.
The new logic optimizes the ECM for control of the following parameters:
•

Change to Fuel Cut control when fuel level is extremely low / near empty

•

Change to improve idle smoothness / quality

•

Change to boost pressure control under wide-open throttle (WOT) conditions.

Under certain high engine load driving conditions, spark knock can occur which results in elevated
cylinder temperatures and pressures. Over time, excessive erosion of the spark plugs and possible
damage to the pistons can be consequences of continued operation with these conditions present.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
•

Certain 2015 model year WRX 2.0L DIT (Direct Injection Turbo) vehicles

•

Certain 2014-2015 model year Forester 2.0L DIT vehicles

Not all vehicles listed below are covered by this service program. Coverage for all affected vehicles
must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com. This data is
scheduled to be available in the system when owner notification begins.
MODEL YEAR

MODEL

STARTING
PRODUCTION DATE

ENDING
PRODUCTION DATE

2015

WRX 2.0L DIT

January 17, 2014

September 26, 2014

2014 & 2015

Forester 2.0L DIT

January 15, 2013

November 4, 2014

OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters will be sent by First Class mail to owners of all potentially affected vehicles in
early February, 2016. A copy of the letter is included at the end of this bulletin.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQW-58R; Revised: August 14, 2017

Page 1

RETAILER AFFECTED VIN LISTS
Each Subaru retailer will receive an affected VIN list from their Zone Office when owner
notification begins. Vehicles will be assigned to retailers in the affected VIN list as follows:
•

Original vehicle owners are assigned to the original selling retailer when their current
address is within a 100 mile radius of that retailer.

•

If the original selling retailer is inactive, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest
active retailer.

•

For any new owners or when original owners live more than 100 miles from the
original selling retailer, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest active retailer.

IMPORTANT: Retailer affected VIN lists include owner name and address information for
vehicles affected by this service program. This information will enable retailers to follow-up
with owners of potentially affected vehicles. The lists contain owners’ names and addresses
obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle
registration data for any other purpose is unlawful. Accordingly, retailers are required to limit
the use of these lists for the purpose of completion of this Service Program.
SUBARU RETAILER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected
vehicles in their inventory. Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this service program
is taken into inventory or in for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the Service
Program has been performed before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Any vehicles listed in a Service Program that are in the retailer’s stock must be:
•

Immediately identified

•

Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to inspection and/or
repair

•

Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in this Service Program
bulletin.

PACK FILE APPLICABILITY:
PAK FILE NAME

NEW ECM
PART
NUMBER

MT

22765AG235.pak

22765AG235

CVT

22765AG245.pak

22765AG245

MODEL / MODEL
TRANSMISSION
YEAR
2015MY
WRX 2.0L

Forester
Turbo

2014

22611AW068.pak 22611AW068
CVT

2015

22765AG974.pak

22765AG974

OLD ECM PART
NUMBERS
22765AG230,
31, 32, 33 & 34
22765AG240,
41, 42, 43 & 44
22611AW060,
61, 62, 63, 64,
65, 66 & 67
22765AG970,
71, 72 & 73

NEW CID
NUMBER
LF75300S
LF75300T
AF56D00B
LF61700B**

** When searching Flashwrite for a 2015 Forester Turbo by Vehicle spec, the New CID will display incorrectly
although the correct (new) update will be applied (LF61700B) as long as the January, 2016 SSM4 software release
is being used. This will be corrected in a future SSM4 release.

Continued...

Bulletin Number: WQW-58R; Revised: August 14, 2017

Page 2

MODIFIED VEHICLES
Aftermarket Engine Control Module (ECM) software changes may adversely affect the proper
operation of some vehicles and prevent Subaru retailers from performing the ECM software
logic update described in the WQW-58 customer letter. If unable to perform this update as
a result of non-authorized modifications made to the vehicle’s ECM, the vehicle must be
returned to its original factory condition at the Owner’s expense. In this case, the Owner must
be informed of their options to return the ECM to original condition by one of the following
methods:
•
•
•
•
•

Owner removes non-authorized ECM modifications returning ECM to original
condition
Owner installs the original ECM
Owner requests retailer install the original ECM (at vehicle Owner’s expense)
Owner installs a new factory ECM
Owner requests retailer install a new factory ECM (at vehicle Owner’s expense).

If aftermarket engine modifications are preventing completion of the engine inspection or
repair procedures outlined in this service campaign, the customer must be informed of their
options to:
•
•

Owner removes the aftermarket engine modifications
Owner requests the retailer remove the aftermarket modifications (at vehicle
owner expense).

If any of the following conditions exist, the retailer must complete the Vehicle Modification
and Accident Damage Form as found on Subarunet under Service/Forms.
•

•

•

Owner declines to return the ECM to original factory condition, ECM
modifications are preventing installation of required software update.
Owner declines to remove the aftermarket engine modifications, Engine
modifications are preventing completion of the engine testing or repair.
Retailer determines the procedure cannot be performed with existing
modifications. Engine or ECM modifications are preventing the retailer from
completing some portion of the campaign procedures.

All completed Vehicle Modification and Accident Damage Forms must be forwarded to
Claimsteam@subaru.com. A list of modifications and photos must be included. These forms
will be used to document the condition(s) preventing the completion of this campaign and will
be noted on the Coverage Inquiry Report located on subarunet.com/Service-Claims Entry/
Info/Vehicle Inquiry (combined).
In addition, the following language must be noted on the Repair Order:
“Aftermarket Engine Control Module (ECM) software changes and/or aftermarket engine
modifications are preventing completion of the service campaign described in the WQW-58
customer notification letter. Your Subaru retailer is unable to perform this update as a result of
non-authorized modifications made to your vehicle’s ECM or engine. Subaru will not be able
to assist you until your vehicle is returned to its original factory condition. If this software
update is not performed or if the installed aftermarket modifications cause similar engine
damage as addressed in this Service Program, Subaru may not assist with any resulting repairs
to the vehicle.”
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQW-58R; Revised: August 14, 2017

Page 3

SERVICE PROCEDURE FLOW CHART
IMPORTANT: PARTS 1 & 2 OF THIS CHART MUST BE COMPLETED.
PART 3 ONLY APPLIES IF DIAGNOSIS INDICATES ENGINE ASSEMBLY REPAIRS ARE REQUIRED.
PART 1:
APPLICABILITY and
REPROGRAMMING

1: Is WQW58 Open?

STOP! Diagnose customer
concern(s) using normal
troubleshooting procedures.

NO

YES
**IMPORTANT: If ECM
or engine is modified,
refer to Modified
Vehicles section of this
bulletin.

Check the ECM's current CID
and refer to the Pack File Table
on pg. 2 **.

NO

2: Are any DTCs
(other than misfirerelated) stored?

3: Reprogram the ECM
and confirm the "after"
CID **. Proceed to 4: in
Part 2

YES
Diagnose and repair per the DTC using the
applicable Service Manual.

4: Remove, Inspect and
Mark Spark Plugs.

PART 2:
DIAGNOSIS and
SIMPLE REPAIR (No
engine repairs
required).

5: Perform Cylinder Leak-Down
Test and determine where
compressed air is leaking to.

Leakage
Confirmed?

YES

Spark Plug
Damage?

NO

Proceed
to Part 3

YES

YES

Proceed
to Part 3

YES

Proceed
to Part 3

NO
6: Apply Top Engine Cleaner,
Drive Vehicle then re-test
cylinders with leakage.

Spark Plug
Damage?
NO

Leakage
Persist?

NO
Reinstall Spark Plugs
7: REPAIRS COMPLETE Affix
Campaign Label

Reinstall Spark Plugs

PART 3:
ADDITIONAL
DIAGNOSIS AND
ENGINE REPAIR
PROCEDURE
IMPORTANT: All
conditions must be
confirmed per the
information supplied later
in this bulletin. Refer to
applicable bulletin section
for full details.
Inappropriately replaced
engine claims will be
debited. If unsure of your
findings, contact your FSE
or Techline to review.

Is Engine
Assembly
Available?

YES

Replace Engine
Assembly

NO

Replace Short Block Assembly
along with One or Both
Cylinder Head Assemblies as
required based on results of
2nd leak-down test after
application of Top Engine
Cleaner or location of damaged
spark plug(s).

7: REPAIRS
COMPLETE Affix
Campaign Label

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQW-58R; Revised: August 14, 2017

Page 4

Follow the procedure steps below when a potentially affected vehicle presents for repair.
Perform a Vehicle Inquiry before proceeding to Step 1.
Step 1: Is WQW-58 open?
YES: Check the current CID of the ECM using SSM4. Refer to the above Pack File
Applicability table and proceed to Step 2.
VERY IMPORTANT: Regardless of whether the CID check shows the ECM is or is
not suitable for reprogramming (latest version already installed), this ENTIRE Service
Procedure MUST be performed on any vehicle subject to this Service Campaign. Record the
CURRENT (if ECM already has the latest logic installed) or the NEW (after reprogramming)
CID on the repair order hard copy as it is required for claim submission.
NOTE: If the ECM has been modified, refer to the Modified Vehicles section of this bulletin
before proceeding further.
NO: STOP. Do not proceed any further with this procedure. Diagnose any
Customer concerns following normal troubleshooting procedures using the applicable
Service Manual.
Step 2: Are there any DTCs (other than misfire related DTCs) stored in memory?
YES: Diagnose and repair as per the stored DTC(s) using the applicable Service
Manual. When completed, proceed to Step 3.
NO: Proceed to Step 3.
Step 3: Reprogram the ECM following the currently established normal procedure. When
complete, verify the “after” CID to comfirm successful reprogramming and record it
on the repair order hard copy.
Step 4: Remove and inspect the spark plugs closely for any damage, erosion or melting.
Inspect, rotate, turn upside-down and shake each spark plug to check for a cracked or
loose porcelain insulator around the center electrode. Take note which cylinder(s)
have spark plugs with verified damage and mark each plug, damaged or not, with the
corresponding cylinder number.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQW-58R; Revised: August 14, 2017

Page 5

NOTE: Any damage to the spark plug porcelain outside of the cylinder head is not a result of
this condition.
Step 5: Perform a cylinder leak-down test on ALL 4 cylinders following the procedures
supplied with the testing equipment being used. Record test results on the Repair
Order hard copy. Due to differences in leak-down test equipment, an actual cylinder
leakage specification cannot be provided. However, your results should be consistent
from cylinder to cylinder. Large variations in cylinder leakage readings will direct
you toward a problem cylinder. Experience with the test equipment being used and
past engine failure diagnosis should be your guides for how much variation between
cylinders is acceptable when damage has occurred to one or more cylinders. Contact
your FSE or Techline to review if you are uncertain about your test results.
NOTE: More information regarding cylinder leak-down testing can be found on STIS in
Technician’s Reference Booklet: Engine Theory and Diagnosis (MSA5P2106C).
Evaluation of Test Results
•

If the inspections performed in Step 4 above revealed spark plug damage, the engine
assembly must be replaced (refer to Part 3 of Flow Chart) following the procedure in
the applicable Service Manual.

•

If no spark plug damage is found but high or inconsistent leak-down results are
determined, reinstall the plugs and proceed to Step 6.

•

If the testing performed in Step 5 above revealed high cylinder leak down
percentages as described in the test equipment instructions or inconsistencies between
cylinders, use the table below as a guide to help determine where the compressed
air is being lost. If it is determined the compressed air is leaking into the exhaust, or
intake (heard escaping from the tail pipe or, throttle body), this would likely indicate
a valve sealing concern. Proceed to Step 6. If it is determined the compressed air is
leaking into the crankcase (heard escaping from the oil fill pipe and/or dipstick tube),
proceed to Step 6.