TSB 18-226-25R — Subaru Service bulletin
18-226-25R is a service bulletin on file with NHTSA for 6 Subaru models, 2002–2016 model years. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
What the bulletin says. This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
NHTSA's own summary of the document, quoted from the public manufacturer-communications file.
Vehicles and model years 18-226-25R names
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Subaru Forester | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| Subaru Outback | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| Subaru WRX | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Every document filed under 18-226-25R
| Document ID | Filed | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 18-226-25R | December 8, 2025 | Service bulletin |
What 18-226-25R covers
Electrical, Engine — the component vocabulary NHTSA files this communication under.
Questions buyers ask
What is TSB 18-226-25R?
18-226-25R is a service bulletin filed with NHTSA by Subaru, covering 6 Subaru models across the 2002–2016 model years. NHTSA's summary reads: This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
Which vehicles does 18-226-25R cover?
NHTSA's file names Subaru Crosstrek (2012–2016); Subaru Forester (2002–2013); Subaru Impreza (2002–2016); Subaru Legacy (2002–2014); Subaru Outback (2002–2014); Subaru WRX (2002–2006, 2008–2014). 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 18-226-25R a recall, and is the repair free?
No. 18-226-25R 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 18-226-25R?
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 18-226-25R, 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 18-226-25R. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.