12-306-20R

ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
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PARTS MANAGER
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CLAIMS PERSONNEL
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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.
SERVICE MANAGER
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© 2020 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
2017-20MY Impreza
		
2018-20MY Crosstrek
		
2019-20MY Forester
		
2015-20MY WRX
		
2019-20MY Ascent
SUBJECT:
NUMBER: 12-306-20R
DATE:
12/07/20
Front Seat Squeaking Sound
INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides a repair procedure to address a squeaking sound coming from the backrest
hinge area of the front seats. The procedure applies to both manually and power operated seat
assemblies. The sound is heard when the seat lifter mechanism is set to it lowest point. When in the
lowest position, the lifter links as shown below may interfere with the brackets below them creating
the squeaking sound. For production vehicles, new washers (link pins) have been incorporated to
prevent the sound.
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.
Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-306-20R; Revised: 12/07/20
Page 1 of 3
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
This bulletin will be revised with starting VIN information when it becomes available.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
NOTE: See TSB 12-203-16R for additional information regarding a seat squeaking sound from this
area.
The service procedures for seat assembly R&R remain unchanged. A detailed repair procedure
is also provided here. As previously stated, this procedure is applicable to both manually and
power operated seat assemblies. Always refer to the applicable Service Manual and review the
full requirements of the repair being performed and each step as listed below. The Service Manual
procedures contain information critical to performing an effective repair the first time, every
time. This includes but is not limited to important SAFETY precautions, proper inspection criteria,
necessary special tools, required processes and related one-time-use parts needed for a complete and
lasting repair.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-306-20R; Revised: 12/07/20
Page 2 of 3
1) Remove the headrest from the seat assembly and set aside in a safe place.
2) Position the seat lifter to the top (highest) position.
3) Remove the seat assembly from the vehicle. IMPORTANT: Always the door opening sill
trims with a fender cover or equivalent for protection whenever removing or reinstalling the
seat assembly.
4) CAREFULLY remove the seat hinge cover trim following the procedure in the applicable
Service Manual.
5) Thoroughly clean both the outer AND inner area(s) where the lifter may be contacting the
bracket causing the sound. Use a mild solvent on a clean shop cloth and thoroughly dry the
area before applying grease.
6) Apply Conoco-Phillips Red Grease #2 (or a suitable Silicone-Free equivalent) to the area
shown below on both the outer AND inner contact points.
7) CAREFULLY reinstall the hinge cover.
8) Reinstall the seat assembly in reverse order and re-torque the related fasteners to specification.
9) Operate the seat lifter several times up and down.
10) Reinstall the headrest.
11) Confirm the sound has been eliminated to complete the repair.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, this repair may be submitted using
the following claim information:
Labor Description
Labor Operation #
Labor Time
ONE FRONT SEAT SQUEAK REPAIR
A913-453
0.5
BOTH FRONT SEATS SQUEAK REPAIR
A913-464
0.9
Fail Code
YPN-25
NOTE: Up to $1.00 can be claimed in Sublet to cover the cost of the grease.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•
SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously
released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.
•
Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.
•
Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-306-20R; Revised: 12/07/20
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