16-131-20R Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

ATTENTION:

GENERAL MANAGER
q
PARTS MANAGER
q
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
q
IMPORTANT - All

Service Personnel

Should Read and

Initial in the boxes

provided, right.
SERVICE MANAGER
q
© 2020 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN

APPLICABILITY:
2010-20MY Legacy and Outback

2012-20MY Impreza

2012-20MY Crosstrek

2013-20MY Forester

2015-20MY WRX

2019-20MY Ascent
SUBJECT:
Updated CVT Diagnostics for DTCs: P0962,

P0966, P0970, P0973, P0976, P2720, P2729,

P2764, P2769, P0963, P0967, P0971, P0974,

P0977, P2721, P2730, P2763 and P2770
NUMBER: 16-131-20R

DATE: 11/09/2020

REVISED: 06/23/2021
INTRODUCTION:

This Service Information Bulletin provides an updated diagnostic flow along with an IMPORTANT

caution to follow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs as listed below. “GENERIC” service

procedures are provided in the screenshots below but, the specific connector and terminal numbers

have been left out as they will vary from vehicle to vehicle.

VERY IMPORTANT: The following charts are not intended to replace the applicable Service

Manual diagnostic steps. They are intended to be used as a GENERIC guide for Technician

reference and include an IMPORTANT caution for a proper diagnostic approach. ALWAYS

USE THE APPLICABLE SERVICE MANUAL FOR DETAILED DIAGNOSTIC

PROCEDURES.

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:

REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.

There are two sets of corrected / updated diagnostics based on the TCM location in the vehicle:

•
Group “A”: For vehicles where the Transmission Control Module (TCM) is located either inside

the cabin or in the engine compartment.
•
Group “B”: For use when the TCM is located inside the transmission assembly itself.
For both sets of diagnostics, there are 2 groups of DTCs associated with each, “LOW” and “HIGH”.

•
LOW DTCs: P0962, P0966, P0970, P0973, P0976, P2720, P2729, P2764 and P2769
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: 16-131-20R; Revised: 06/23/21
Page 1 of 5
•
HIGH DTCs: P0963, P0967, P0971, P0974, P0977, P2721, P2730, P2763 and P2770.
Four diagnostic charts are provided below:

1) Use for Group A vehicles with LOW DTCs

2) Use for Group A vehicles with HIGH DTCs

3) Use for Group B vehicles with LOW DTCs

4) Use for Group B vehicles with HIGH DTCs

VERY IMPORTANT: Always note the results of each troubleshooting step as it is completed.

These notes are required as part of any repair claim. Where applicable, always note the CVTF

temperature when the specified check is completed.

1) Diagnostic Chart for use in diagnosing Group A vehicles with LOW DTCs:
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 16-131-20R; Revised: 06/23/21
Page 2 of 5
2) Diagnostic Chart for use in diagnosing Group A vehicles with HIGH DTCs:
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 16-131-20R; Revised: 06/23/21
Page 3 of 5
3) Diagnostic Chart for use in diagnosing Group B vehicles with LOW DTCs:
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 16-131-20R; Revised: 06/23/21
Page 4 of 5
4) Diagnostic Chart for use in diagnosing Group B vehicles with HIGH DTCs:
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: 16-131-20R; Revised: 06/23/21
Page 5 of 5

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Last update on 2026-05-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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