TSB: SUBARU BRZ, CROSSTREK, FORESTER, IMPREZA, WRX, WRX STI, XV CROSSTREK (2008–2018)

Bulletin 12-231-18R — February 13, 2018

Bulletin Details

Bulletin ID12-231-18R
ManufacturerSUBARU
ModelsBRZ, CROSSTREK, FORESTER, IMPREZA, WRX, WRX STI, XV CROSSTREK
Model Years2008–2018
Date IssuedFebruary 13, 2018
Date Added to NHTSAJune 11, 2018
ComponentSTRUCTURE
Vehicles Affected160 combinations

What is a TSB?

A Technical Service Bulletin is a document issued by the vehicle manufacturer to inform dealership technicians about a known issue and the recommended repair procedure. TSBs are not mandatory recalls — they serve as repair guidance for common problems.

If your vehicle has this issue, bring this bulletin ID to your dealer. If under warranty, the repair should be covered at no cost.

Summary

This bulletin announces a design change to the air vent grille located in the lower portion of the trunk (or cargo) area. The shutters of the vent grille are designed to open briefly and relieve cabin pressure when the doors are shut with

Affected Vehicles

MakeModelYearComponent
SUBARU BRZ 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2018 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU BRZ 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2018 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU FORESTER 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU FORESTER 2018 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU FORESTER 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX 2018 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU WRX 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX STI 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX STI 2018 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU WRX STI 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX STI 2018 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX STI 2018 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2017 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU BRZ 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2017 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU FORESTER 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU FORESTER 2017 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU FORESTER 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX 2017 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU WRX 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX STI 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX STI 2017 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU WRX STI 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX STI 2017 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX STI 2017 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2016 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU BRZ 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2016 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU CROSSTREK 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU FORESTER 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU FORESTER 2016 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU FORESTER 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2016 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX 2016 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU WRX 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX STI 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX STI 2016 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU WRX STI 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX STI 2016 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX STI 2016 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2015 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU BRZ 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU FORESTER 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU FORESTER 2015 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU FORESTER 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2015 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX 2015 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU WRX 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX STI 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX STI 2015 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU WRX STI 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU WRX STI 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU WRX STI 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2015 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2015 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2015 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2014 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2014 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU BRZ 2014 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2014 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2014 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU FORESTER 2014 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU FORESTER 2014 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU FORESTER 2014 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2014 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2014 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2014 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2014 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2014 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2014 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2014 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2014 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2014 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2014 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2013 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2013 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU BRZ 2013 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU BRZ 2013 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU BRZ 2013 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2013 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2013 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2013 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2013 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2013 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2013 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2013 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2013 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2013 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK 2013 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2012 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2012 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2012 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2012 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2012 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2011 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2011 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2011 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2011 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2011 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2010 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2010 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2010 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2010 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2010 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2009 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2009 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2009 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2009 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2009 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2008 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2008 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU IMPREZA 2008 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUBARU IMPREZA 2008 160000 STRUCTURE
SUBARU IMPREZA 2008 356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Related SUBARU Recalls

CampaignModelYearComponentSummary
FORESTER HYBRID 2025 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK AS... Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek hybrid, and 2025 ...
CROSSTREK HYBRID 2026 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK AS... Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek hybrid, and 2025 ...
FORESTER 2026 STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HIN... Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles....
SOLTERRA 2025 BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2...
SOLTERRA 2023 BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2...

What Should You Do?

If your vehicle is affected by this TSB, contact your authorized SUBARU dealer. Bring this bulletin ID (12-231-18R) when you visit. If under warranty, the repair should be free. If your warranty has expired, ask about goodwill coverage — manufacturers sometimes cover TSB-related repairs beyond the warranty period.

Frequently Asked Questions

A recall is a mandatory safety fix — the manufacturer must repair every affected vehicle for free. A TSB is an advisory document that describes a known issue and the recommended fix, but repairs are not required. However, some TSBs eventually lead to recalls if the issue poses a safety risk. TSBs are generally issued for quality or performance problems, while recalls address safety defects.

If your vehicle is still under the manufacturer's warranty, TSB-related repairs are typically covered at no cost. If your warranty has expired, you can ask the dealer about goodwill or customer assistance programs. Many manufacturers will cover or partially cover repairs for well-known issues, especially if the TSB was issued recently or affects a large number of vehicles.

Check the make, model, and model year listed above against your vehicle. If they match, this bulletin likely applies. However, TSBs may only affect vehicles with specific production dates, VIN ranges, or configurations. Your dealer can confirm by entering your VIN into their service system, which will show all applicable TSBs and recalls.

This data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Manufacturers are required to submit copies of all communications (including TSBs) sent to their dealers to NHTSA. The agency makes this data publicly available as part of its vehicle safety monitoring program.