MotorDeets

Subaru Tribeca problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Tribeca from 2006 to 2014: 41 owner complaints and 62 recalls across 8 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2008 (14), 2006 (9), 2009 (5). Best fuel economy: 18 mpg combined (2014).

Subaru Tribeca
Photo: order_242 from Chile · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Airbags15
Body & structure5
Exterior lights4
Brakes4
Electrical4
Latches & locks3
Seat belts2
Engine & cooling2

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
200689–
200784–
200891418
20099518
201010418
20118218
20136318
20144018

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Subaru Tribeca.

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OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Subaru Tribeca?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2008 (14), 2006 (9), 2009 (5).

How many recalls has the Subaru Tribeca had?

Across 2006–2014, NHTSA lists 62 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).