TSB 16-159-26 — Subaru Service bulletin
16-159-26 is a service bulletin on file with NHTSA for 5 Subaru models, 2020–2025 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 provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.
NHTSA's own summary of the document, quoted from the public manufacturer-communications file.
Vehicles and model years 16-159-26 names
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Subaru Forester | 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Subaru Outback | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
Every document filed under 16-159-26
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 16-159-26 | July 23, 2026 | Service bulletin |
| 16-159-26 | June 23, 2026 | Service bulletin |
What 16-159-26 covers
Electrical — the component vocabulary NHTSA files this communication under.
Questions buyers ask
What is TSB 16-159-26?
16-159-26 is a service bulletin filed with NHTSA by Subaru, covering 5 Subaru models across the 2020–2025 model years. NHTSA's summary reads: This bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.
Which vehicles does 16-159-26 cover?
NHTSA's file names Subaru Crosstrek (2020–2025); Subaru Forester (2022–2025); Subaru Impreza (2020–2025); Subaru Legacy (2020–2025); Subaru Outback (2020–2025). 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 16-159-26 a recall, and is the repair free?
No. 16-159-26 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 16-159-26?
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 16-159-26, 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 16-159-26. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.