Subaru Tribeca Problems by Year
NHTSA has 41 owner complaints and 17 safety recalls on file for the Subaru Tribeca, across 8 model years (2006–2014). The 2008 model year has the most complaints (14). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Subaru Tribeca years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Tribeca year: 2008. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2008 Tribeca: 14 complaints, 9 recalls
- 2006 Tribeca: 9 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2009 Tribeca: 5 complaints, 9 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2011 Tribeca: 2 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2013 Tribeca: 3 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2007 Tribeca: 4 complaints, 8 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Subaru Tribeca problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 15 | 5 | 2 |
| Structure | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Subaru Tribeca model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Tribeca | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2013 Tribeca | 3 | 6 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2011 Tribeca | 2 | 8 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2010 Tribeca | 4 | 10 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2009 Tribeca | 5 | 9 | — | Service Brakes | |
| 2008 Tribeca | 14 | 9 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 Tribeca | 4 | 8 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2006 Tribeca | 9 | 8 | — | Air Bags |
More from Subaru: all Subaru models · Subaru VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Tribeca years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2008 (14) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Tribeca year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Subaru Tribeca?
Air Bags, with 15 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Subaru Tribeca have?
17 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.