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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© 2018 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: All 2019-26MY Vehicles with Gen 2 & Gen 3
Telematics

NUMBER: 15-219-18R

SUBJECT: Error Code 202 and / or 204 Generated During

Gen 2 Telematics Subscription Process
INTRODUCTION:

REVISED: 03/16/26

DATE: 06/21/18

When attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202
and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully. These codes both relate
to the multi-stage CommCheck process which introduces the Data Communications Module (DCM)
to the AT&T cellular network the Telematics system operates on. The Telematics Service Provider
(TSP) cannot communicate with the vehicle (DCM) until the CommCheck completes successfully.
Use the table below to determine Telematics system / generation applicability.

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
VERY IMPORTANT: Any Technician or other retailer personnel who, despite service
documentation and training to the contrary, performs a DCM swap on a subscribed vehicle
should NEVER release that vehicle back to the customer until after confirming the proper
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: 15-219-18R; Revised 03/16/26

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operation of the Telematics system. If the issue is first discovered only after the vehicle has been
released to the customer, then the retailer MUST contact the customer immediately to inform
the customer the ACN/AACN feature may not be functioning properly, and that the vehicle
must be returned for inspection as soon as possible.

NOTE: All DCMs have the CommCheck process completed during Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) at
either the factory end-of-line or the ports. CommCheck is then confirmed at the Retailer during their
PDI.
The following factors should be considered as potential causes of the current condition (error codes).
One of the possible causes listed below (e.g. DCM was swapped) will require review of the vehicle
history since receipt at the allocated Retailer.
• CommCheck was not completed successfully.
•

DCM has lost power and / or ground connection.

•

DCM is unable to establish network connection to complete CommCheck.

•

DCM was swapped between this vehicle and some other(s). DCM is now disabled.

•

Local conditions preventing network communications (no clear cellular signal available).

•

Network conditions preventing communication (DCM sim not recognized or otherwise
prevented from making network connection).

•

Failure of data flow between DCM Vendor, AT&T, SOA, TSP, or some combination thereof.

Important: When retailers encounter concerns during the sale or delivery process, do not cancel the
subscription. This action often complicates the diagnosis and repair process.
INSPECTION PROCEDURE:
Step 1: Using the Subaru Select Monitor, perform an All DTC Scan. Ensure there are no DTCs
present in the telematics system, and confirm communication with the DCM. Save the DTC scan to a
project file.
•

If DTCs are present in the telematics system, perform diagnosis as per the applicable service
manual.

•

If no DTCs are present, procced to step 2.

Step 2: With the Subaru Select Monitor still connected, go to Telematics Data Monitor. Select all data
PIDs. Record at least one minute of data. Save the data recorded to the project file started in Step 1.
In the recorded data what is the value of “Subscription Status?”
•

If the “Subscription Status” value is “Factory,” disconnect the Subaru Select Monitor and
attempt a CommCheck. After CommCheck is complete, recheck “Subscription Status” value,
if the value is still “Factory” perform steps found in November 2023 TechTIPS Starlink
Telematics – Comm Check, Test Calls, Remote Service requests, Failed Calls.

•

If the “Subscription Status” value is Unsubscribed go to step 3.

Step 3: Check “Signal Strength” value in the data display.
•

If “Signal Strength” is 0% perform steps found in Antenna Wiring Test Plan found in
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 15-219-18R; Revised 03/16/26

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September 24 TechTIPS.
•

If “Signal Strength” is between 1% and 25%, relocate the vehicle until the signal strength
improves. If the signal strength does not go over 25% perform steps found in Antenna Wiring
Test Plan found in September 24 TechTIPS.

•

If “Signal Strength” is over 26% go to step 4.

Step 4: Reattempt Enrollment
•

If enrollment is successful, test all functions of the telematics system.

•

If enrollment is unsuccessful, contact TechLine via TechShare using Techline Case
Submission Now Through Techshare Special Edition TechTIP for instruction on opening a
case. Ensure the project file, with the saved DTC scan and minute of data from steps 1 and 2,
is attached to the case.

NOTE: The only effective way to confirm repair of a Telematics concern is to verify operation of
remote services through execution by using the MySubaru Mobile App or the MySubaru customer
web portal. Using the SOS button or i-Button successfully should in no way be considered a
full or functional test of remote services. There are many conditions which can occur that will still
allow the SOS and/or “i” button to function and reach a STARLINK operator although, some or all
of the remote services may not function. Remote service operational status can only be confirmed by
execution of a remote service request through either the MySubaru APP or the customer web portal.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru
Added Security Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information:
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

Fail Code

2019MY TELEMATICS COM CHECK

A067-903

0.4

ZRT-85

TELEMATICS DATA COMMUNICATION MODULE R&R

B067-901

0.5

TELEMATICS SYSTEM TESTING & DIAGNOSIS

C067-900

0.4

ZQQ-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: 15-219-18R; Revised 03/16/26

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