Subaru bulletin 18-225-24
What it saysThis Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing DTC B145C (Heat Pump ECU Communication). NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Subaru filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Sep 19, 2024, received Oct 2, 2024, about the electrical system. It names 4 model years (2019–2022). 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 diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing DTC B145C (Heat Pump ECU Communication).
Trouble codes it names: B145C
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-225-24 | Service bulletin | Sep 19, 2024 | 11008272 | PDF, 715 KB |
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 4 model years this bulletin names have filed 504 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 85 of them name Electrical System — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
On the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, the 25 owners who gave an odometer reading for Electrical System reported it at a median of 9,000 miles. That figure is one model year’s, not the whole range this bulletin covers — medians from different model years are not averaged.
Recall for LV terminal corrosion was sent. Dealerships had no appointments for 2 weeks. Made appointment at a dealer one week later, dropped off car. Dealer called and stated that parts would not be in for another week. They stated they did not have tools or parts for the repair yet. Not fixed in timely manner
2022 Subaru Crosstrek · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA May 29, 2023 · ODI 11524266
My car wouldn't start after stopping to visit a friend. The friend watched under the hood when I pressed the start button. He saw sparks from under the hood. I had driven over 27 miles that day before this happened. The dealer said it was because I made too many short trips.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA May 3, 2021 · ODI 11415012
I purchased my 2019 Crosstrek in november of 2018. On numerous occasions the radio / touchscreen resets itself. However before each self started reset a loud buzzing or static noise comes across the speakers scaring the ever living daylights out of me (the driver).
2019 Subaru Crosstrek · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Aug 19, 2019 · ODI 11245112
In depth: 2019 Subaru Crosstrek electrical problems →
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 electrical system
Source: same model, same component group72 other manufacturer communications filed against the Subaru Crosstrek under the same component group (electrical system), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Subaru list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-244-26 | Service bulletin | Sep 18, 2026 | "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circ… |
| 15-333-25R | Service bulletin | Sep 14, 2026 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure… |
| 15-322-25R | Service bulletin | Sep 14, 2026 | In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen… |
| 15-304-22R | Service bulletin | Sep 14, 2026 | This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concern… |
| 15-343-26 | Service bulletin | Sep 1, 2026 | "This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display (CID) to the CCU, addressing rep… |
| 10-107-26 | Service bulletin | Aug 31, 2026 | This bulletin announces design changes to the front seat bottom heat unit. |
| 15-341-26 | Service bulletin | Aug 20, 2026 | This Bulletin provides best practices for troubleshooting and resolving Subaru Connect telematics concerns on 2026MY Solterra, Trailseeker… |
| 15-308-23R | Service bulletin | Aug 20, 2026 | This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experienc… |
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 18-225-24 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 18-225-24 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 18-225-24 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 4 model years: 2022 Subaru Crosstrek, 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.