ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER

q

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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© 2026 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE PROGRAM BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

2018-19 MY WRX
2018 MY Forester (Turbo)

SUBJECT:

NUMBER:

WRA-26

DATE:

03/16/26

Rear Catalyst (Center Exhaust Pipe)
Non-Compliance

INTRODUCTION
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new voluntary
emissions recall for certain 2018 model year WRX and Forester vehicles and certain 2019 MY WRX
equipped with a 2.0L turbo engine.
REASON FOR THIS VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL
The performance of the rear catalyst (Center Exhaust Pipe) may cause the affected vehicles to exceed
exhaust emission standards.
REMEDY
Subaru will replace the rear catalyst (Center Exhaust Pipe) with an improved one on all affected
vehicles. Subaru will also reprogram the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) on affected vehicles
equipped with a manual transmission. This repair will be performed at no cost to the customer.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
A total of 56,804 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall, as listed below. Not all vehicles in the
production range listed may be 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

2018-2019

WRX

February 9, 2017 – July 31, 2019

2018

Forester (Turbo)

March 9, 2017 - August 7, 2018

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: WRA-26; Date: 03/16/26

Page 1 of 22

RETAILER RESPONSIBILITY
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 or in for service, 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 March 16, 2026.
PART INFORMATION:
The following parts kits can be ordered through PRIME.
Manual Transmission
Part Description

Part Number

Qty

PIPE AY GSKT KIT MT

X4461AB240

1

1

PIPE AY CTR-EXH,R

1

2

GASKET

1

3

GASKET(CR)

1

Image

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA-26; Date: 03/16/26

Page 2 of 22

4

FLANGE NUT

2

CVT
Part Description

Part Number

Qty

PIPE AY GSKT KIT CVT

X4461AB250

1

1

PIPE AY CTR-EXH,R

1

2

GASKET

1

3

GASKET(CR)

1

4

FLANGE NUT

2

Image

SERVICE PROCEDURE FLOW CHART:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Manual Transmission equipped vehicles require successful reprogramming
to complete this campaign. Vehicles with modified ECMs may not be able to be programmed
preventing completion of the campaign. Always confirm the ECM can be successfully updated
BEFORE proceeding with any parts replacement. Refer to the Service Procedures on Page 6 for
more details.
PAK FILE INFORMATION:
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA-26; Date: 03/16/26

Page 3 of 22

Model Year

Model

PAK File Name

New ECM Part Number

Description Keyword

New CID Number

2018

WRX 6MT

22765AL006.PAK

22765AL006

D6FE3DBB

LF9C400P

2019

WRX 6MT

22765AM555.PAK

22765AM555

B07359E9

LF9D050H

REQUIRED TOOLS & MATERIALS:
Description

Image

Details

General hand tools

Torque wrench

Required for torquing hardware

Heat resistant gloves

Required for Technician safety

Air gun

Required for cooling heated area

WD-40 Lubricant

Required for hardware lubrication

Wire brush

Required for hardware cleaning

MINI-DUCTOR VENOM
MDV-777

Automatically shipped one per
retailer at no additional cost as
SOA635186

For any service and support concerns, please visit their website Induction Heating Tools - Induction
Innovations or reach out to them via phone at 877-688-9633. Their website also includes ‘how to’ and
knowledge resources should you need assistance understanding how to use the Mini-Ductor tool.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA-26; Date: 03/16/26

Page 4 of 22

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The coil included in the MINI-DUCTOR VENOM kit will require
some modification to be performed prior to the service procedure.
This is needed to provide optimum temperature during usage.
Reprogramming Equipment Required for MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ONLY
Part Name

Image

Details

PC, DST-I and/or
DST-010
Required for software reading and
installation.
SSM4

DCA-8000

Required to maintain battery voltage
during the reprogramming procedure.

AFTERMARKET PROCESS
If a Technician encounters a vehicle affected by the WRA-26 recall equipped with non-OEM
specification parts or modified ECU software that in some way prevent the retailer from performing
recall, please refer to section 9.4.1 in the Claims Policies & Procedures Manual for additional
information and repair order documentation and submit an NQR and an URFCA as outlined below.
1. Submit an NQR (Non -Quality Report), selecting the “To document a recall repair as directed
by SOA in a recall/service campaign bulletin” reason, and use failure code WRA. All NQR
submissions should contain specific details and photos as to what the retailer is encountering that
is preventing them from completing the recall repair.
2. Submit an Urgent Request for Customer Assistance (URFCA), which can be found in the Service
Operations & Technical menu on Subarunet. When completing the URFCA, please select the
Warranty does not apply reason type. The description should include detailed comments as to the
non-OEM components or modifications that are preventing the retailer from completing the recall
and the NQR#. Please attach a copy of the NQR when submitting the URFCA.
NOTE: The NQR and URFCA are being requested for documentation purposes only. While the
recall will still remain open on these vehicles unless the owner brings the vehicle back to original
specification, it is helpful in our reporting to the EPA and CARB.
COMPONENT CONFIGURATION:

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA-26; Date: 03/16/26

Page 5 of 22

SERVICE PROCEDURE:
For CVT-equipped vehicles, proceed to Step 2.
STEP 1: (MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY): Review the battery charging information supplied
in the APPENDIX A section of this bulletin. Reprogram the ECM using the normal Flashwrite
procedures. Once successfully reprogrammed, proceed to Step 2.
If the reprogramming is not successful contact Techline using TechShare to see if CID and CVN
are factory. Use Techline Case Submission Now Through TechShare Special Edition TechTIP for
instructions on submitting a CID and CVN case. Be sure to upload a project file that includes CID
and CVN information. If immediate assistance is required for WRA-26 after the case has been started
via TechShare, please call Techline directly for prompt support with CID and CVN confirmation as
responds may take up to 24 hours.
If the CID and/or CVN are not factory, please document on the RO and advise the owner that they
will need to return the ECM back to factory specification in order for the recall to be completed.
Caution: DO NOT proceed with center pipe replacement if it is determined that the ECM software
has been modified. If the reflash cannot be performed due to modified ECM software, the retailer will
not be reimbursed for the center pipe replacement, as this does not complete the recall.
This recall requires both the rear catalyst and ECM to be reflashed for manual vehicles.
Completing one without the other results in an incomplete repair and will not be reimbursed, as
it does not fulfill the recall requirements.
NOTE: Always note the original Calibration Identification number (CID) the vehicle came in with on
the repair order before reprogramming and, make sure to list the NEW CID for any newly-installed
programming (as confirmed from the actual control module AFTER installation). The NEW CID
MUST also be noted on the repair order as this information is required for entry in the Claims
Specific Data area during claim submission.
STEP 2: Prepare the coil attachment supplied in the MINI-DUCTOR VENOM tool by winding the
coil five rotations around a 17mm socket. This will help optimize the heat application to the exhaust
components.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA-26; Date: 03/16/26

Page 6 of 22

STEP 3: Raise the vehicle following the procedure specified by the lift manufacturer.
CAUTION: The vehicle exhaust components may be extremely hot after driving. If required, use
protective safety equipment to prevent any burns or excessive heat exposure to the skin.
NOTE: If aftermarket parts are found that prevent the retailer from performing the recall, please refer
to the Aftermarket Parts Process section on page 5 of this bulletin.
STEP 4: Remove the lower engine/transmission cover.
STEP 5: Using a wire brush, remove all rust located on both nuts and studs of the front center
exhaust pipe connection.
NOTE: The amount of rust may vary depending on the vehicle. The example image below is to be
used as reference.

STEP 6: Using the MINI-DUCTOR VENOM, apply heat to the left side nut/stud for 1 MINUTE.
CAUTIONS:
•

DO NOT attempt to loosen the nut prior
to applying heat.

•

Use protective equipment such has heat
resistant gloves and sleeves to prevent
any burning of the skin.

•

Continuous operation of the induction
tool for a time period over 2 minutes
may cause overheating and damage to
the tool.

•

If components become red hot,
discontinue heat application and
proceed to the next step.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: WRA-26; Date: 03/16/26

Page 7 of 22

STEP 7: After the heat has been applied,
CAREFULLY loosen the nut 15 degrees.
CAUTION: DO NOT attempt to loosen the nuts
completely. This may cause nut to seize.
NOTE: When encountering cases of the nut not
loosening (exceeding a turning torque of 100 Nm
(74ft-lbs), apply turning force in the clockwise
direction, repeat the one minute heat application,
and attempt to loosen again.

STEP 8: Always allow at least 1 MINUTE of rest time for the MINI-DUCTOR VENOM to cool
after usage. Apply heat to the right side nut/stud for 1 MINUTE.
CAUTIONS:
•

The duty cycle of the MINI-DUCTOR VENOM
is one minute on and one minute off.

•

Continuous operation of the induction tool
for a time period over 2 minutes may cause
overheating and damage to the tool.

•

If components become red hot, discontinue heat
application and proceed to the next step.

STEP 9: After the heat has been applied,
CAREFULLY loosen the nut 15 degrees.
CAUTION: DO NOT attempt to loosen the nuts
completely. This may cause nut to sieze.
NOTE: When encountering cases of the nut not
loosening (exceeding a turning torque of 100 Nm
(74ft-lbs), apply turning force in the clockwise
direction, repeat the one minute heat application,
and attempt to loosen again.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA-26; Date: 03/16/26

Page 8 of 22

STEP 10: Using an air gun, apply shop air to
both nuts for a period of 1 MINUTE to cool.

STEP 11: Apply WD-40 lubricant to both the left and right stud/nuts.
CAUTION: If sufficenient cooling of the components has not been met, the lubricant will evaporate