TSB 12-249-23R — Subaru Service bulletin
12-249-23R is a service bulletin on file with NHTSA for 5 Subaru models, 1990–2026 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 the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.
NHTSA's own summary of the document, quoted from the public manufacturer-communications file.
Vehicles and model years 12-249-23R names
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2026 |
| Subaru Forester | 1998, 1999 |
| Subaru Impreza | 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2026 |
| Subaru Legacy | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Subaru Outback | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2026 |
Every document filed under 12-249-23R
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12-249-23R | May 13, 2026 | Service bulletin |
| 12-249-23R | July 11, 2023 | Service bulletin |
Questions buyers ask
What is TSB 12-249-23R?
12-249-23R is a service bulletin filed with NHTSA by Subaru, covering 5 Subaru models across the 1990–2026 model years. NHTSA's summary reads: This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.
Which vehicles does 12-249-23R cover?
NHTSA's file names Subaru Crosstrek (2026); Subaru Forester (1998–1999); Subaru Impreza (1990, 1993–1999, 2026); Subaru Legacy (1994–1999); Subaru Outback (1995–1999, 2026). 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 12-249-23R a recall, and is the repair free?
No. 12-249-23R 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 12-249-23R?
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 12-249-23R, 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 12-249-23R. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.