Subaru bulletin 07-202-23
What it saysThis bulletin announces the design changes to the headlights. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Subaru filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Aug 15, 2023, received Sep 5, 2023, about the equipment. It names 3 model years (2019–2021). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationThis bulletin announces the design changes to the headlights.
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07-202-23 | Service bulletin | Aug 15, 2023 | 10241837 | PDF, 462 KB |
What the document itself lists
The manufacturer titles it “Headlight Water Intrusion / Design Changes”.
Parts the bulletin names
| Part number | Description | Qty | Find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84001SJ071 | — | — | |
| 84002SJ171 | — | — | |
| 84002SJ471 | — | — | |
| 84913SJ271 | — | — | |
| 84913SJ071 | LAMP ASSEMBLY-HEAD RIGHT | — | eBay Motors → |
| 84001SJ061 | — | — | |
| 84002SJ161 | — | — | |
| 84002SJ461 | — | — | |
| 84913SJ261 | — | — | |
| 84913SJ061 | — | — |
Read by machine from the document NHTSA serves (3 pages), read Sep 30, 2026. A part number is shown only where it matches Subaru’s own catalogue shape, an operation only with its code and time, and a description only where the reader got it whole; anything it could not settle is left out, and the PDF is the record. Times are the manufacturer’s warranty allowances, not a quote. Listings and prices on eBay Motors are the seller’s.
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The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themA vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 3 model years this bulletin names have filed 1,653 complaints with NHTSA since 2015.
With the headlight switch in the off position and the gear shifter is moved into either the reverse or drive position the shifter seems to activate the rear tail lights to light up and stay on. This action is occurring more and more frequent. This occurs backing out of the driveway, going down the highway, etc
2020 Subaru Forester · Exterior Lighting · filed with NHTSA Jan 5, 2020 · ODI 11297185
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the equipment
Source: same model, same component group15 other manufacturer communications filed against the Subaru Forester under the same component group (equipment), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Subaru list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-249-23R | Service bulletin | May 13, 2026 | This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on pain… |
| 15-130-08R | Service bulletin | Oct 29, 2025 | This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way som… |
| 15-256-19R | Service bulletin | Jul 10, 2025 | This bulletin provides information on a new reprogramming procedure (FOTA) to optimize the Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units… |
| 03-91-23R | Service bulletin | Apr 23, 2024 | This bulletin announces the design change made to the front drive axle shaft assemblies to address cases of a clicking/cracking-type sound h… |
| 09-80-21R | Service bulletin | Apr 1, 2024 | This bulletin announces availability of a new thermo control valve assembly. The new valve contains an enhanced stainless steel internal sha… |
| WRQ-23R | Service bulletin | Mar 19, 2024 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2021 model year Crosstrek vehicles, certain 2022 model year Fores… |
| 15-242-19R | Service bulletin | Mar 19, 2024 | This Service Information bulletin has been developed for use as a quick reference tool to aid in diagnosing operational concerns of the Gen… |
| 18-225-22R | Service bulletin | Mar 5, 2024 | This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for Harman Infotainment Systems when DTC B2255 is detected. This update should prevent unnec… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Subaru, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Subaru 07-202-23 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the 07-202-23 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way. Every Subaru warranty extension on file lists the ones Subaru has filed.
Which vehicles does 07-202-23 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 3 model years: 2021 Subaru Forester, 2020 Subaru Forester, 2019 Subaru Forester. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.