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.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2019-23MY Ascent
2020-23MY Outback
2019-23MY Forester
SUBJECT:

NUMBER: 12-251-23R
DATE:

11/09/23

REVISED:

11/21/24

Power Rear Gate (PRG) Service Procedures

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin announces the initialization service procedures to be followed when diagnosing and/or
repairing Power Rear Gate (PRG) systems. A pending Service Manual correction is included in this
publication to allow for greater accuracy when performing diagnosis. It is important to follow the
initialization procedures before and after any part replacement of the PRG system. Failure to perform
the procedures outlined below may result in unnecessary part replacement, erratic operation, or
excessive dark current.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
IMPORTANT: Prior to performing any service procedures to the PRG system, it is important to
confirm the battery health status. Detailed battery testing and charging information can be found in
TSB 07-178-21R.
INITIALIZATION OF THE POWER REAR GATE SYSTEM:
STEP 1: Function test the PRG. If the gate positioning has been customized by the customer, record
this position to be set after any service procedures are complete.
STEP 2: Open the PRG and leave it in the open position. If the PRG is unable to opened, press and
hold the rear gate switch and manually open the gate. If inability to open the PRG continues, operate
the emergency lever for the rear gate latch from inside the vehicle.
STEP 3: CAREFULLY disconnect the battery ground cable from the battery sensor terminal. Allow
at least 60 seconds to elapse and then reconnect the ground cable terminal to the battery sensor.
Torque to 7.5Nm (5.5ft.-lbs. or 66inch-lbs.) while supporting the sensor with the other hand as
outlined in the applicable Service Manual under: STARTING/CHARGING SYSTSEMS > Battery
Sensor.

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: 12-251-23R; Revised: 11/05/24

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STEP 4: Using the Subaru Select Monitor (SSM), confirm the “Rear Gate Pos Init Flag” data monitor
reads “OFF.”

OPEN

STEP 5: CAREFULLY (slowly) close the gate manually to the full latched position and the “Rear
Gate Pos Init Flag” data monitor reads “ON.”

NOTE: When operating the rear gate manually, DO NOT exceed the normal operating speed of the
automatic gate opener regardless of whether the battery is connected or disconnected. Exceeding the
operating speed may result in damage to the PRG drive unit.
STEP 6: Activate the PRG using the driver’s side dashboard interior switch, rear gate switch, or the
key fob button. If customized positioning has been set by the customer, relearn the positioning using
the height position observed in STEP 1.
SERVICE MANUAL CORRECTION FOR DTC B2507 DIAGNOSIS:
The resistance value of the “CHECK Power rear gate drive unit” procedure has been changed to
provide further accuracy during diagnosis. This correction will be added to the applicable Service
Manual at a later date. The change below has been outlined in RED.

 less than 10Ω?

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: 12-251-23R; Revised: 11/05/24

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