Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogramming (WQW-58R)

ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) REPROGRAMMING

SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN

APPLICABILITY

2015 MY WRX 2.0L DIT Models 2014-2015 MY Forester 2.0L DIT Models

INTRODUCTION

Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require ECM reprogramming.

This bulletin includes the service procedure for diagnosis and repair of customer concerns involving engine idle roughness or, in some cases, engine noise and/or damage resulting from spark knock (pre-ignition). The Engine Control Module logic has also been optimized requiring the ECM reprogramming.

The new logic optimizes the ECM for control of the following parameters:

• Change to Fuel Cut control when fuel level is extremely low/near empty
• Change to improve idle smoothness/quality
• Change to boost pressure control under wide-open throttle (WOT) conditions.

Under certain high engine load driving conditions, spark knock can occur which results in elevated cylinder temperatures and pressures. Over time, excessive erosion of the spark plugs and possible damage to the pistons can be consequences of continued operation with these conditions present.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

• Certain 2015 model year WRX 2.0L DIT (Direct Injection Turbo) vehicles
• Certain 2014-2015 model year Forester 2.0L DIT vehicles

Not all vehicles listed below are covered by this service program. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com. This data is scheduled to be available in the system when owner notification begins.

MODEL YEAR	MODEL	STARTING PRODUCTION DATE	ENDING PRODUCTION DATE
2015	WRX 2.0L DIT	January 17, 2014	September 26, 2014
2014 & 2015	Forester 2.0L DIT	January 15, 2013	November 4, 2014

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Notification letters will be sent by First Class mail to owners of all potentially affected vehicles in early February, 2016. A copy of the letter is included at the end of this bulletin.

RETAILER AFFECTED VIN LISTS

Each Subaru retailer will receive an affected VIN list from their Zone Office when owner notification begins. Vehicles will be assigned to retailers in the affected VIN list as follows:

• Original vehicle owners are assigned to the original selling retailer when their current address is within a 100 mile radius of that retailer.
• If the original selling retailer is inactive, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest active retailer.
• For any new owners or when original owners live more than 100 miles from the original selling retailer, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest active retailer.

SUBARU RETAILER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY

Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory. Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this service program is taken into inventory or in for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the Service Program has been performed before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Any vehicles listed in a Service Program that are in the retailer's stock must be:

• Immediately identified
• Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to inspection and/or repair
• Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in this Service Program bulletin.

PACK FILE APPLICABILITY

MODEL/MODEL YEAR		TRANSMISSION	PAK FILE NAME	NEW ECM PART NUMBER	OLD ECM PART NUMBERS	NEW CID NUMBER
2015MY WRX 2.0L		MT	22765AG235.pak	22765AG235	22765AG230, 31, 32, 33 & 34	LF75300S
		CVT	22765AG245.pak	22765AG245	22765AG240, 41, 42, 43 & 44	LF75300T
Forester Turbo	2014	CVT	22611AW068.pak	22611AW068	22611AW060, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 & 67	AF56D00B
	2015		22765AG974.pak	22765AG974	22765AG970, 71, 72 & 73	LF61700B(1)
(1) When searching Flashwrite for a 2015 Forester Turbo by Vehicle spec, the New CID will display incorrectly although the correct (new) update will be applied (LF61700B) as long as the January, 2016 SSM4 software release is being used. This will be corrected in a future SSM4 release.

MODIFIED VEHICLES

Aftermarket Engine Control Module (ECM) software changes may adversely affect the proper operation of some vehicles and prevent Subaru retailers from performing the ECM software logic update described in the WQW-58 customer letter. If unable to perform this update as a result of non-authorized modifications made to the vehicle's ECM, the vehicle must be returned to its original factory condition at the Owner's expense. In this case, the Owner must be informed of their options to return the ECM to original condition by one of the following methods:

• Owner removes non-authorized ECM modifications returning ECM to original condition
• Owner installs the original ECM
• Owner requests retailer install the original ECM (at vehicle Owner's expense)
• Owner installs a new factory ECM
• Owner requests retailer install a new factory ECM (at vehicle Owner's expense).

If aftermarket engine modifications are preventing completion of the engine inspection or repair procedures outlined in this service campaign, the customer must be informed of their options to:

• Owner removes the aftermarket engine modifications
• Owner requests the retailer remove the aftermarket modifications (at vehicle owner expense).

If any of the following conditions exist, the retailer must complete the Vehicle Modification and Accident Damage Form as found on Subarunet under Service/Forms.

• Owner declines to return the ECM to original factory condition, ECM modifications are preventing installation of required software update.
• Owner declines to remove the aftermarket engine modifications, Engine modifications are preventing completion of the engine testing or repair.
• Retailer determines the procedure cannot be performed with existing modifications. Engine or ECM modifications are preventing the retailer from completing some portion of the campaign procedures.

All completed Vehicle Modification and Accident Damage Forms must be forwarded to [email protected].  A list of modifications and photos must be included. These forms will be used to document the condition(s) preventing the completion of this campaign and will be noted on the Coverage Inquiry Report located on subarunet.com/Service-Claims Entry/Info/Vehicle Inquiry (combined).

In addition, the following language must be noted on the Repair Order:

"Aftermarket Engine Control Module (ECM) software changes and/or aftermarket engine modifications are preventing completion of the service campaign described in the WQW-58 customer notification letter. Your Subaru retailer is unable to perform this update as a result of non-authorized modifications made to your vehicle's ECM or engine. Subaru will not be able to assist you until your vehicle is returned to its original factory condition. If this software update is not performed or if the installed aftermarket modifications cause similar engine damage as addressed in this Service Program, Subaru may not assist with any resulting repairs to the vehicle."

Follow the procedure steps below when a potentially affected vehicle presents for repair. Perform a Vehicle Inquiry before proceeding to Step 1  .

Step 1:  Is WQW-58 open?

YES:  Check the current CID of the ECM using SSM4. Refer to the above Pack File Applicability table and proceed to Step 2  .