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
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

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© 2023 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

2021MY Crosstrek
2022MY Forester
2021-23MY Legacy
2021-23MY Outback

NUMBER: WRQ-23R

SUBJECT:

Safety Recall – Transmission Inhibitor
Switch Replacement

DATE: 12/12/23
REVISED: 03/19/24
NHTSA: 23V-755

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2021 model year Crosstrek
vehicles, certain 2022 model year Forester, and certain 2021-2023 model year Legacy and Outback
vehicles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK:
The vehicles included in this recall may contain an inhibitor switch that was manufactured with an
insufficient weld between the switch stator and cover which may allow water intrusion.
Over time, moisture intrusion may cause the inhibitor switch to become inoperative. An inoperative
inhibitor switch may result in the backup lamps not illuminating when in reverse gear, the rear-view
monitor not displaying, the transmission gear select indicator in the instrument panel not being
displayed, or inability to start the engine.
REMEDY:
For all the potentially affected vehicles, Subaru dealers will replace the inhibitor switch with a new
one at no cost to the customer.
AFFECTED VEHICLES:
A total of 95,830 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall, as listed below. Not all vehicles in the
production range listed below are affected by this recall. Coverage must be confirmed by using the
Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com prior to repair.
Model Year

Carline

Production Date Range

2021

Crosstrek

February 8, 2021 – July 30, 2021

2022

Forester

July 26, 2021 – July 27, 2021

2021-2023

Legacy

March 18, 2021 – August 25, 2022

2021-2023

Outback

March 17, 2021 – May 16, 2022

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: WRQ-23R; Revised: 03/19/24

Page 1 of 19

RETAILER RESPONSIBILITY:
Please be advised that it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle
covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. Therefore, any Authorized
Subaru Retailer failing to perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected
vehicles in their inventory prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil
penalties of up to $26,315 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 CFR §578.6 and
will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
Any vehicles listed in any recall/campaign that are in retailer stock must be:
•

Immediately identified.

•

Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to repair.

•

Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in the Product Campaign Bulletin.

Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures, to correct all affected vehicles in
their inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer
inventory necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling
or releasing the vehicle.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail on January 8, 2024. Retailers will be
advised when owner notification is scheduled.
PART INFORMATION:
Kit Part Description

Qty

Kit Part Number

SWITCH -INHIBITOR KIT

1

X31918AA120

Kit Components
Part Description

Qty

SWITCH-INHIBITOR

1

STR PIN-5X22

1

Image

NOTE: These parts are available for order through PRIME only.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRQ-23R; Revised: 03/19/24

Page 2 of 19

REQUIRED TOOLS:
Tool Description

Image

Details
For removing the spring pin.

REMOVER-PIN
(Part Number: 99804AN070)

NOTE: ALWAYS check the
condition of the tool prior to
usage. Refer to Appendix A
section of this bulletin.

5mm pin punch
(Tip diameter 4.8mm)

For installing the spring pin.

4mm pin punch
(Tip diameter 4.0mm)
or
SST: Stopper Pin (Part Number:
499267300)

For adjusting the inhibitor switch.

M5x10mm bolt

For spring pin insertion guide.

3M 401 Masking Tape (or equivalent)

For protecting the gear selector
cable boot.

NOTE: The Pin Removal Tool (99804AN070) will be automatically shipped to all retailers.
CAUTION: Due to the limited supply of the Pin Removal Tool (99804AN070), it is vital to refrain
from using any power tools in conjunction with the Pin Removal Tool. The use of power tools will
cause damage to the tool and replacements are currently on backorder status.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRQ-23R; Revised: 03/19/24

Page 3 of 19

COMPONENT CONFIGURATION:

Spring Pin

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRQ-23R; Revised: 03/19/24

Page 4 of 19

SERVICE PROCEDURE:
The following service procedure has been outlined in a Work Tips Video for additional Technician
reference.
Work Tips Video

STEP 1: Apply the electronic park brake by pulling the switch
in the upward direction.

STEP 2: Using a plastic trim tool, remove the rubber pad
located in front of the gear selector.

STEP 3: Insert a small screwdriver into the round hole located
under the rubber pad. This will release the gear selector lock.
Move the gear selector into the Neutral position.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRQ-23R; Revised: 03/19/24

Page 5 of 19

STEP 4: Refer to the applicable Service Manual and review: General Description > Repair Contents
> Action required before & after Battery Disconnect. Additionally, record any stored seat position(s)
before proceeding. Relearn any seat position memory after work is complete. If the power rear gate
(PRG) height has been customized, that position must also be noted and relearned.

STEP 5: CARFULLY disconnect the negative
battery cable from the battery sensor.

STEP 6: Lift the vehicle following the procedures specified by the lift manufacturer.

STEP 7: Cover the rubber gear selector
cable boot with masking tape to prevent
any damage during the next steps. Refer to
the Work Tips Video at 00:00.
NOTE: 3M™ High Performance Green
Masking Tape 401+ or equivalent can be
used for this procedure.

STEP 8: Prepare the pin removal tool (99804AN070) by turning the threaded portion of the tool
counterclockwise to allow room for installation.

STEP 9: Install the pin removal tool over the spring pin located on the gear selector arm. The notched
side should be facing the transmission case. Slowly turn the threaded portion clockwise by hand until
the driving pin of the tool is aligned with the spring pin.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRQ-23R; Revised: 03/19/24

Page 6 of 19

CAUTION: CONFIRM the drive pin and the hole located on the top of the removal tool are aligned
with the spring pin. Any applied pressure without proper alignment may cause damage.

STEP 10: Review the information provided
in APPENDIX A. Using HAND TOOLS
ONLY, tighten the threaded portion of the
removal tool until the spring pin is fully
removed. Discard the spring pin once it is
fully removed. DO NOT reuse the spring
pin.
CAUTION: Due to the limited supply of
the Pin Removal Tool (99804AN070), it is
vital to refrain from using any power tools
in conjunction with the Pin Removal Tool.
The use of power tools will cause damage
to the tool and replacements are currently
on backorder status.
STEP 11: Loosen the removal tool and
remove it from the shifter arm.

STEP 12: Using a marker or paint pen,
make an alignment mark on the cable
bracket and cable plate as show in the
right image. This mark will be utilized in
further steps.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRQ-23R; Revised: 03/19/24

Page 7 of 19

STEP 13: Remove the two retaining
bolts and remove the cable bracket.

CAUTION: DO NOT remove the
cable plate.

STEP 14: Remove the gear selector cable
and shifter arm together from the shifter
arm shaft.

CAUTION: It is possible for the shifter
arm to be stuck to the shifter arm shaft. A
small pry bar or screwdriver can be used
to assist the release of the shifter arm. DO
NOT apply any excessive force to the

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRQ-23R; Revised: 03/19/24