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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© 2019 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: All Models with Gen 2 & Gen 3 Telematics

Except Solterra
SUBJECT:

DTC B2A16

NUMBER: 15-251-19R
DATE: 09/26/19
REVISED: 08/05/24

INTRODUCTION:
This Service Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related
DTC B2A16. In most cases involving this DTC, the following scenario(s) occur:
•

When trying to use the remote engine starter (RES) feature through Telematics (STARLINK
/ My Subaru app) the request is unsuccessful and the red Telematics indicator lamp
illuminates.

•

The customer takes their vehicle to the Retailer and the Technician finds the only code stored
to be B2A16 in the DCM.

•

The Technician diagnoses the DTC per the applicable Service Manual trouble tree and
replaced the DCM.

IMPORTANT: Nearly all of the scenarios outlined above can be addressed and normal RES
operation through the Telematics system restored WITHOUT replacement of the DCM. SBR will
be updating the applicable Service Manuals to reflect this very soon. In the interim, refer to the
diagnostic procedure outlined in this bulletin.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
IMPORTANT: Nearly all of the scenarios outlined above can be addressed and normal RES
operation through the Telematics system restored WITHOUT replacement of the DCM. SBR will be
updating the applicable Service Manuals to reflect this very soon.

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: 15-251-19R; Revised: 08/05/24

Page 1 of 3

If DTC B2A16 is found in the DCM, start by registering the DCM with the vehicle immobilizer
system to avoid a potentially unnecessary DCM replacement. Follow the instructions found in
the applicable Immobilizer Registration Manual. See the basic SSM screenshots and additional
information provided below for reference.
Once the DCM is registered, confirm the Telematics RES function operates. NOTE: The customer
will need to help with this as it requires them to enter their PIN through either the MySubaru web
page or the mobile MySubaru App.
If registering the DCM with the vehicle immobilizer system resolves the condition and STARLINK
Telematics RES now operates normally, clear the DTC and release the vehicle.

NOTE: When selecting G, H, or I Type, the latest SSM4 software (July 2019 version or later) is
required along with a secure network connection. Refer to TSB 15-246-19 for additional details.
IMPORTANT: Whenever either the Keyless Access Module (KAM) or the DCM is replaced on
a STARLINK Gen2 Telematics -equipped vehicle, the DCM MUST be registered with the vehicle
immobilizer system.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-251-19R; Revised: 08/05/24

Page 2 of 3

Always refer to the applicable Immobilizer Registration Manual for the Model Year vehicle being
repaired. These manuals can be found on STIS by searching Online Publications > Publication Type
> Other/Miscellaneous and searching with the keyword “Immobilizer”.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, this repair may be submitted using
the following claim information:
Labor Description

Labor
Operation #

Labor
Time

Fail
Code

DCM IMMOBILIZER REGISTRATION & RES SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK

A067-918

0.4

ZTT-43

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: 15-251-19R; Revised: 08/05/24

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