ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

q
q
q
q

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

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2000MY to Current, All Models
SUBJECT: Replacement Key and Immobilizer
Information

NUMBER:
DATE:
Revised:

01-168-09R
06/17/09
08/07/14

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information and to
provide an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.

OVERVIEW OF THE RETAILER-ONLY SUBARU LOCK INFORMATION SITE
The Subaru Lock Information Site (SLIS) is located at http://lockinfo.subaru.com, and
provides information on how to obtain immobilizer codes and key cut codes for Subaru
vehicles from the 2000MY to present. This document identifies the equipment required to
initialize (reset) the immobilizer code and cut the key blanks, for both immobilizer and
non-immobilizer type keys. Subaru of America began using immobilizer systems in some
2005MY vehicles (please refer to Chart 2 on page 2 for more detailed information).

KEY BLANK TYPES
Subaru vehicles are equipped with either standard side cut keys or high security keys
(see Chart 1 on page 2 for a detailed listing). All high security keys are equipped with an
immobilizer device installed. Some standard side cut keys may or may not be equipped with
an immobilizer device. Key blanks can be purchased through normal parts channels. The
following page are examples of the Subaru key blank styles:
There are many different styles of key cuts. Be sure to order the correct blank for your
particular application and verify that your key cutting equipment is compatible. Master
keys are shown below.
2005-2007 Legacy & Outback
side cut key w/immobilizer (also
available without immobilizer)

2008-2011 Impreza, WRX, & STI
and 2012-2014 WRX & STI high
security key w/immobilizer

continued...
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.

Bulletin Number: 01-168-09R; Date: 08/07/14

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.

Page 1

2008 Legacy, Outback, and Tribeca side cut
key w/immobilizer and keyless entry

2009-2013 Forester high security
key w/immobilizer

2009 Legacy & Outback and 2009-2014
Tribeca side cut key w/immobilizer and
keyless entry

2010-2014 Legacy & Outback high
security standard key w/immobilizer
and keyless entry

2012-2015 Impreza, 2013-2015 XV
Crosstrek and 2014-2015 Forester, 2015
Legacy & Outback, and 2015 WRX & STI
side cut key w/immobilizer and keyless entry

2013-2015 BRZ side cut key w/immobilizer
and keyless entry

continued...
Bulletin Number: 01-168-09R; Date: 08/07/14

Page 2

2013-2015 BRZ keyless access with pushbutton start system access key with inside
cut high security mechanical key,
immobilizer, and keyless entry

2013-2014 Legacy & Outback keyless
access with push-button start system access
key with high security mechanical key,
immobilizer, and keyless entry

2014-2015 Forester, 2014 XV Crosstrek
Hybrid, and 2015 WRX & STI keyless
access with push-button start system access
key with inside cut high security mechanical
key, immobilizer, and keyless entry.
(Different part number and key cutting
code from 2013 BRZ.)

2015 Legacy, Outback and 2015 Impreza
keyless access with push button start
system access key with single-sided inside
cut high security mechanical key,
immobilizer, and keyless entry.

continued...
Bulletin Number: 01-168-09R; Date: 08/07/14

Page 3

SUBARU VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM

2005
2006
2007
2008
> 2009

Baja

Forester

Impreza

Legacy

Outback

Tribeca

BRZ

n/a
n/a
----

2.5XT
2.5XT
2.5XT
2.5XT
All

STi
WRX, STi
WRX, STi
All
All

2.5GT
All
All
All
All

2.5XT, 3.0R
All
All
All
All

-All
All
All
All

----All

XV
Crosstrek
----All

WEB SITE ACCESS: AUTOMOTIVE SECURITY PROFESSIONALS
The public-facing locksmith site (linked off of STIS, via the “Immobilizer Key Access”
button), is a pay site for lock professionals.

WEB SITE ACCESS: AUTHORIZED SUBARU RETAILERS
Authorized Subaru Retailers can access SLIS through Subarunet (under the Service tab,
or by directly following the URL http://lockinfo.subaru.com. Access to the immobilizer
information will only be allowed for Subaru Dealership Service Managers and Parts
Managers. Access will be granted by using the managers’ SMART user name. No other
employees can access the Subaru Immobilizer Database.
Note: It is the retailers’ responsibility to perform due diligence by entering or deleting
employees in the SMART Dealer Employee Maintenance Database. This is especially
true of Service Manager and Parts Manager position changes.
Step by Step Process To Access the Site
• Once on the SLIS home page, the Service Manager or Parts Manager will be asked for
their SMART user name. At that time, if this is the first time he/she has logged on to the
web site, the password “Welcome” should be used. He/she will then be prompted to create
a new password (this will not change your current SMART password).
• The Service Manager or Parts Manager will then be prompted to read the disclaimer and
answer “accept” or “not accept”. If they answer “not accept”, the system will not let them
access the immobilizer information.
• A page will then be displayed, allowing for entry of the full 17 character VIN of the vehicle
in question.
• Provided the VIN is found in the database, the immobilizer Security ID along with the key/
cutting code will appear.
• A charge of $2.80 will be incurred for each immobilizer request.
Note: Costs are $9.95 per transaction, or $25.95 for a 24 hour subscription access
(with no transaction limit).
SOA Warranty will only reimburse an approved warranty claim with an Immobilizer
Code access cost of $2.80 per transaction, as a sublet cost. The public-facing
(professional locksmith) web site’s public accesses fees of $9.95 and $25.95 will
be reduced to $2.80 per transaction, if those fees are submitted as a part of a
warranty claim.
continued...
Bulletin Number: 01-168-09R; Date: 08/07/14

Page 4

EQUIPMENT
The Subaru Diagnostic System (SDS) which includes the SSMIII diagnostic device to
reprogram Subaru immobilizer codes can be purchased through Bosch Automotive Service
Solutions (http://subaru.service-solutions.com). See the Subaru Technical Information
System (STIS) (http://techinfo.subaru.com) for more information under the “Special Tool
Information” tab. The SSMIII stand alone kit requires the use of a laptop computer with
minimum standards, show in the table below:
OPERATING SYSTEM
CPU
RAM
AVAILABLE HARD DRIVE CAPACITY
DRIVE
COMMUNICATIONS PORT

Microsoft 32-bit Windows 2000/XP (Windows XP Pro 64-bit,
and Windows Vista CAN NOT be used.)
Intel Pentium M processor; 900 MHz equivalent or higher
recommended
256 MB recommended
20 GB recommended
CD-ROM drive
USB port (USB 1.1 or higher)

Instructions for Immobilizer re-initialization for keys, etc., can be found in the applicable
immobilizer manual on STIS.
The Subaru HDS Kit from Blue Streak Electronics can also be used.

TEACHING OPERATION CODES
A Teaching Operation Code may be needed when using the SSMIII. The following are the
necessary Teaching Codes:
VEHICLE LINE
Legacy
Impreza
Forester
Tribeca

MODEL YEAR
2005 and after
2005~07
2008-2011
2005~08
2009-2013
2006 and after

TEACHING CODE
3781
3178
3781
3178
3781
3781

continued...
Bulletin Number: 01-168-09R; Date: 08/07/14

Page 5

KEY CUTTING MACHINERY RECOMMENDATIONS
Subaru of America recommends the use of the Barnes Distribution key cutting machines, “PC
+ Flash” machine for standard cut keys and the “BD Laser Max” for high security cut keys.
Consult http://subaru.service-solutions.com for key machine purchases.
BD Laser Max
PC + Flash

RETAILER CENTRALIZED HIGH SECURITY KEY CUTTING SERVICE
The Subaru of America Parts Department offers a high security key cutting service for
retailers who have not purchased the high security key cutting machine. The service program
details can be found on Subarunet.com, in the Fixed Operations (“Fixed Ops - Inventory/
Ops”) area, using the “Security Key Request” link. Forms, details, and costs are found in this
area of Subarunet.com.

Bulletin Number: 01-168-09R; Date: 08/07/14

Page 6