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

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

SUBJECT:

2026MY Outback
2025MY Forester
2025-26MY Impreza & Crosstrek
2024-26MY WRX

NUMBER:

18-242-26R

DATE:

05/19/26

REVISED:

06/22/26

Seat Belt Warning /
Service Manual Update

INTRODUCTION:
This service information bulletin announces a change in the seat belt warning buzzer intervals in
the inspection procedure found in the Service Manual. Due to a change in the combination meter
assembly, the warning intervals have been changed from 15 seconds to 25 seconds. These updates
will be added to the Service Manual in a future update.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
The Service Manual is revised as below. Change point is colored red as old and green as new. Airbag
System & Seat Belt System＞SEAT BELT SYSTEM > Seat Belt Warning System＞INSPECTION
4. CHECK DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING BUZZER
1. Lift up the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON and start the engine.
3. Drive the vehicle at 6.1 — 19 km/h (4 — 12 mph) while the driver-side seat belt tongue plate is
not inserted into the buckle. Check that the buzzer in the instrument cluster (volume: low) sounds
intermittently and the warning light blinks. After 15 seconds 15 seconds or 25 seconds, check that
the buzzer (volume: high) sounds.
4. Turn the ignition switch to OFF and start the engine again. Drive the vehicle at 20 km/h (12 mph)
or more while the driver’s seat belt tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle. Check that the
buzzer in the instrument cluster (volume: high) sounds intermittently and the warning light blinks.
5. Insert the driver-side seat belt tongue plate into the buckle to stop the buzzer.
6. After the buzzer stops, check steps 3 — 4.
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: 18-242-26R; Revised: 06/22/26

Page 1 of 3

7. After performing step 5, drive the vehicle at 6.1 — 19 km/h (4 — 12 mph). Check that the buzzer
(volume: low) sounds again when the seat belt is unfastened.
8. Drop the vehicle speed to 1.75 km/h (1 mph) or less within 15 seconds 15 seconds or 25 seconds
after the buzzer (volume: low) sounds to stop the buzzer.
9. Insert the seat belt tongue plate into the buckle and then drive the vehicle at 20 km/h (12 mph) or
more. Check that the buzzer (volume: high) sounds again when the seat belt is unfastened.
10. After performing step 5, move the select lever to the “R” position, and then move it to the “D”
position. Check that the buzzer (volume: low) sounds again by driving the vehicle at 6.1 — 19
km/h (4 — 12 mph) while the seat belt tongue plate is not inserted in the buckle.
11. Drop the vehicle speed to 1.75 km/h (1 mph) or less within 15 seconds 15 seconds or 25 seconds
after the buzzer (volume: low) sounds to stop the buzzer.
12. After moving the select lever to the “R” position, move it to the “D” position. Check that the
buzzer (volume: high) sounds again by driving the vehicle at 20 km/h (12 mph) or more while the
seat belt tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle.
5. CHECK PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING BUZZER
1. Lift up the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON and start the engine.
3. Insert the driver’s seat belt tongue plate into the buckle.
4. Sit in the passenger-side seat and drive the vehicle at 6.1 — 19 km/h (4 — 12 mph) while the
passenger-side seat belt tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle. Check that the buzzer in the
instrument cluster (volume: low) sounds intermittently and the warning light blinks. After 15
seconds 15 seconds or 25 seconds, check that the buzzer (volume: high) sounds.
5. Turn the ignition switch to OFF and start the engine again. Drive the vehicle at 20 km/h (12 mph)
or more while the passenger-side seat belt tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle. Check that
the buzzer in the instrument cluster (volume: high) sounds intermittently and the warning light
blinks.
6. Insert the passenger-side seat belt tongue plate into the buckle to stop the buzzer.
7. After the buzzer stops, check steps 4 — 5.
8. After performing step 6, drive the vehicle at 6.1 — 19 km/h (4 — 12 mph). Check that the buzzer
(volume: low) sounds again when the seat belt is unfastened.
9. Drop the vehicle speed to 1.75 km/h (1 mph) or less within 15 seconds 15 seconds or 25 seconds
after the buzzer (volume: low) sounds to stop the buzzer.
10. Insert the seat belt tongue plate into the buckle and then drive the vehicle at 20 km/h (12 mph) or
more. Check that the buzzer (volume: high) sounds again when the seat belt is unfastened.
11. After performing step 6, move the select lever to the “R” position, and then move it to the “D”
position. Check that the buzzer (volume: low) sounds again by driving the vehicle at 6.1 — 19
km/h (4 — 12 mph) while the seat belt tongue plate is not inserted in the buckle.

Bulletin Number: 18-242-26R; Revised: 06/22/26

Page 2 of 3

12. Drop the vehicle speed to 1.75 km/h (1 mph) or less within 15 seconds 15 seconds or 25 seconds
after the buzzer (volume: low) sounds to stop the buzzer.
13. After moving the select lever to the “R” position, move it to the “D” position. Check that the
buzzer (volume: high) sounds again by driving the vehicle at 20 km/h (12 mph) or more while the
seat belt tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle.
6. CHECK REAR SEAT BELT WARNING BUZZER (For Outback Only)
1. Lift up the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON and start the engine.
3. Insert the driver’s seat belt tongue plate into the buckle.
4. Sit in the corresponding rear seat and drive the vehicle at 6.1 — 19 km/h (4 — 12 mph) while
the rear seat belt tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle. Check that the buzzer in the
instrument cluster (volume: low) sounds intermittently and the warning light blinks. After 15
seconds 15 seconds or 25 seconds, check that the buzzer (volume: high) sounds intermittently for
approximately 35 seconds and the warning light blinks.
5. Turn the ignition switch to OFF when the buzzer stops, and start the engine again. Drive the
vehicle at 20 km/h (12 mph) or more while the seat belt tongue plate is not inserted into the
buckle. Check that the buzzer in the instrument cluster (volume: high) sounds intermittently for
approximately 35 seconds and the warning light blinks.
6. Turn the ignition switch to OFF when the buzzer stops, and start the engine again. Check that the
buzzer (volume: low) sounds again by driving the vehicle at 6.1 — 19 km/h (4 — 12 mph) while
the seat belt tongue plate is not inserted in the buckle. After 15 seconds, check that the buzzer
(volume: high) sounds intermittently for approximately 35 seconds.
7. Turn the ignition switch to OFF when the buzzer stops, and start the engine again. Check that
the buzzer (volume: high) sounds intermittently for approximately 35 seconds again by driving
the vehicle at 20 km/h (12 mph) or more while the seat belt tongue plate is not inserted into the
buckle.
8. Insert the seat belt tongue plate into the buckle and then drive the vehicle at 6.1 — 19 km/h (4 —
12 mph). Check that the buzzer (volume: low) sounds intermittently again and the warning light
blinks when the seat belt is unfastened. After 15 seconds 15 seconds or 25 seconds, check that the
buzzer (volume: high) sounds intermittently for approximately 35 seconds and the warning light
blinks.
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: 18-242-26R; Revised: 06/22/26

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