Gen 5 – 2017-2019 Power Rear Gate (PRG) control module design change (fixes battery drain issue)

This thread is specifically about the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), availability of the new part, and experiences with replacing it (or not)… things like:

• “Yes, it actually has a TSB on it now”
• is it something you want to get
• did you change it, did it work as expected
• experience installing it (or not)
• what did you tell the dealer to replace it, did they not want to do it, and so on
• you replaced it yourself, how did it go? The issues? Advice?

What this discussion is not about

• General discussions about “it should be a recall” don’t belong here, at least not yet. This is not a product/service campaign and unfortunately, it never can be. That is not the purpose of this thread. It’s just extra noise to filter out. For the purposes of this thread, TSB specific work/improvement comments/discussion.
• troubleshooting problems NOT related to the PRG control module itself. Discussions about “my back power port is not working” belong in another thread. There are existing ones, and if they are not completely correct, start a new one.
• troubleshooting dead batteries. There are enough of those threads already, this is not another one of them. Use the links below to find a good topic to talk about those things.
• Basically, don’t confuse this thread with anything beyond replacing the PRG control module, and it fixed this power drain when the gate is left OPEN.

THIS IS NOT A BATTERY WIRE

We get it. People really like to talk about bigger batteries.

There are many threads about complaints about the rear power port leaving the power drain open and the quality of the OEM battery. Many existing discussions involve solutions such as the carabiner trick and buying a different/larger capacity battery. These complaints and solutions are discussed. A lot.

No need for more here, so please discuss those things in other more appropriate threads.

Here are some other topics that should not be discussed here – if you are really interested in these topics, here are some useful links to get you started (there are many more, but these are a good start):

Dark current drain or my battery has suddenly died:

Threads on open key battery discharge:
Replacement battery cord:
Extended Battery Warranty / Class Action Settlement:

2017-2019 Power Rear Gate (PRG) Control Module Design Change

This only applies to the 2017-2019 model years (sorry Gen5 looks early, you’re out of luck)

Subaru has released a revised Power Rear Gate control module to address the “limited number” of customer concerns about excessive power draw when the tailgate is left open for long periods of time. The new part number is 63350AL10B and it replaces 63350AL10A.

Some observations

• Subaru admits that the CAN communication stays active and does not go into power saving mode if the tailgate is left open (although the lights turn off after a period of time). We have seen this demonstrated elsewhere here. This is a (somewhat) formal recognition of what we know.
• It is not a free replacement. Although the old part is annoying, it’s not something you get for free. The extended warranty would cover it at this point (everyone is already out of new car warranty).
• Subaru claims it is a “limited number” of complaints. Enough for a new part, but not enough to call it “multiple complaints”
• The new PRG control module logic specifically fixes one problem, the constant draining of the battery as long as the tailgate is open. Everything else is the same – it doesn’t solve any other problems.
• Requires a new part to install (it’s an easy swap)
• The part isn’t too expensive and fairly easy to replace by a DIY person (just keep in mind that it’s a really new part and you don’t want to get the same thing you have now).
• I looked up the new part number, now it shows an overlay of the old part number. Ordering one from a dealer would give you a new one. Other online retailers may indicate the old part number with an A at the end. You don’t love him. If ordering one, verify correct part number 63350AL10B
• I think the new part was not put into any 2019 production vehicles based on what I see on the subaru parts site. The part was released when the 2021 model year was in production.
• The part number is specific to the 2017-2019 releases only.
• there is no indication in the TSB how this is diagnosed. Do they perform a dark current drain test? maybe just throw in the $130 and half hour labor part and call it a day? It is unclear. Walking in with a TSB in hand might not get you far, but saying the battery keeps dying when it comes out of the gate up might… but if they test it and have a threshold in mind… again, no it is documented so there is a lot left in the service department.

The Forester and Ascent TSB was updated in May with similar text, the original TSB for those vehicles addressed other issues first and added this to the bottom of the description section in the latest revision. The Outback TSB and part are specifically for this problem only, and nothing else (doesn’t open when a button is pressed, doesn’t return unexpectedly, etc).

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
NUMBER: 07-179-20
DATE: 10/05/2020

APPLICABILITY: My 2017-19 Outback

SUBJECT: Power Rear Gate (PRG) control module – Design change

PRESENTATION:
This bulletin announces a design change made to the PRG control module. This change is in
response to a limited number of customer concerns about vehicle battery making
discharged after the back door has been left open for an extended period of time. The download takes place
because the current logic of the PRG control module keeps the CAN communication active. Logical changes have
is included in the new module to allow the CAN system to “go to sleep” after a period of
time to prevent current withdrawal and optimize PRG system operation.

PRODUCT CHANGE INFORMATION:
This bulletin will be revised as VIN information on the change becomes available.

PART INFORMATION:

MEMORY: Always order the most up-to-date replacement parts based on the specific VIN
repaired.

Current TSB attached

Also attached is TSB 07-195-21, in case you want to replace the module yourself, there are considerations when doing so – this TSB describes what needs to be done.

Modification history:
February 28, 2021 – updated part number availability description.
May 26, 2021 – updated scope, is/isn’t section, list of topics most relevant to section is not.
July 20, 2021 – added TSB 07-195-21 instructions to replace the module itself