TSB 09-81-21R — Subaru Service bulletin
09-81-21R is a service bulletin on file with NHTSA for 5 Subaru models, 2017–2025 model years, filed and re-filed as 2 documents. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
What the bulletin says. This bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in response to the DTCs listed DTC P030* / Engine Knocking / DTC P219C-D-E-F. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
NHTSA's own summary of the document, quoted from the public manufacturer-communications file.
Vehicles and model years 09-81-21R names
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Subaru Forester | 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| Subaru Outback | 2020, 2021, 2022 |
Every document filed under 09-81-21R
Manufacturers re-issue a bulletin as the repair changes, and file separate copies for technicians and for owners. All of them carry the same number.
| Document ID | Filed | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 09-81-21R | July 27, 2026 | Service bulletin |
| 09-81-21R | June 25, 2026 | Service bulletin |
What 09-81-21R covers
Electrical, Fuel system — the component vocabulary NHTSA files this communication under.
Questions buyers ask
What is TSB 09-81-21R?
09-81-21R is a service bulletin filed with NHTSA by Subaru, covering 5 Subaru models across the 2017–2025 model years. NHTSA's summary reads: This bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in response to the DTCs listed DTC P030* / Engine Knocking / DTC P219C-D-E-F. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
Which vehicles does 09-81-21R cover?
NHTSA's file names Subaru Crosstrek (2018–2025); Subaru Forester (2019–2021); Subaru Impreza (2017–2021); Subaru Legacy (2020–2022); Subaru Outback (2020–2022). A bulletin number can be re-issued against more vehicles later, so check the model-year list on this page against your own.
Is TSB 09-81-21R a recall, and is the repair free?
No. 09-81-21R is repair guidance the manufacturer sent its dealers, not a safety defect finding. You pay for the work unless the vehicle is still under warranty. Recall repairs, by contrast, are always free.
How do I get the full text of 09-81-21R?
Take the document ID to a dealer's service desk, or search NHTSA's manufacturer-communications records. This page carries every document ID filed under 09-81-21R, its date, and NHTSA's own summary from the public file.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. This page lists only what NHTSA's manufacturer-communications file records under 09-81-21R. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.