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2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca, most often about the body and structure (32% of complaints, typically around 107,000 miles). It is the most complained-about B9 Tribeca model year since 2000.

Complaints84
Recalls0
Crashes reported5
Fires reported8
Injuries reported5

Most common 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca problems

  1. Body and structure

    27 complaints · 32%

    Half of these problems showed up before 107,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    Driving on the highway at 55mph, the hood few open and smashed the windshield and dented the hood. We put washer fluid in it the day before and drove it for hours without any problem. We have had many problems with this in the past and have replaced it once already.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 108,000 miles
    While driving at approx 35mph, hood opened and came back far enough to break windshield, completely blocking drivers view of road and traffic near a very busy intersection. Upon closer inspection, it appears primary hood latch failed and secondary safety latch also failed allowing condition to exist. Secondary hood…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 106,060 miles

  2. Air bags

    18 complaints · 21%

    Parts named most often: frontal.

    : the contact stated the front passenger air bag warning light illuminated and goes out when occupied by a passenger weighing 105 lbs. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, but the problem was not corrected. The manufacturer was not notified.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 5,450 miles
    I am not sure what happen. I passed out and when I came to I was sitting in someones yard. There was a lady that seen it all. I went off the left hand side of the road through some high grass and telephone poles. Then some how I end on the right hand side of the road my car was total. I have 6 or 8 air bags and none…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 90,000 miles

  3. Electrical

    13 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.

    On march 10, 2013, as I was putting my children in the car, my vehicle's right front passenger puddle light overheated and started to smoke while my vehicle was parked (not turned on) and in my garage. The lights come on automatically when the door opens. A strong electrical odor ensued. The irvington, ny fire dept…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 100,000 miles
    1) I have replaced the headlight on my vehicle 22 times since purchasing new. 2) low tire light illuminates daily and the car has been serviced numerous times at dealer at my expense and still not repaired. Causing me anxiety to use vehicle even after checking tires for damage, weight and even going as far as…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 80,000 miles

  4. Lights

    12 complaints · 14%

    Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.

    Just finished washing the car outside the my garage, I then moved it inside the garage to clean and vacuum inside. 30 mins later, a strong burning smell and smoke came out from the left rear passenger puddle light area. I have to quickly call 911, and before 911 arrival I managed to open the hood and disconnected the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 102,984 miles
    The contact owns a 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact started the ignition and smelled a burning odor. The contact noticed when the front passenger door was opened smoke began to emit from both LED puddle lights located underneath the door panel. The contact extinguished the smoke. The vehicle was taken to an…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 111,000 miles

  5. Visibility and wipers

    11 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 121,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield.

    While driving at night on a county road at approximately 50 MPH, the hood latch disengaged causing the hood to flip over backward against the windshield. The hood was opened the day prior, however the vehicle was operated multiple times without incident prior to the actual latch releasing. The safety latch did not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 122,000 miles
    While traveling at 65 MPH on a multi-lane highway, the hood flew open, shattered the windshield and lodged open, completely blocking my vision. I was able the slow down and pull into the left breakdown lane. Had this happened two minutes earlier or later I would not have had the left lane option. Two minutes earlier…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 120,000 miles

  6. Brakes

    8 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    In cold weather the brake pedal is hard as a rock to depress. When car is placed in drive the brakes don't work. According to Subaru blog sites the culprit is the brake vacuum check valve freezing up and not maintaining vacuum to the brake booster. Apparently, this problem affects other Subaru vehicle models for many…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 85,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the brakes were applied but the vehicle did not respond. The brake pedal fell to the floorboard after applying excessive force. The vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was reported…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 78,000 miles

  7. Engine

    7 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 114,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.

    The contact owns a 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact pulled off of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was with the electronic control module.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 150,000 miles
    1.while driving around a snowy corner on road, the vehicle lost complete control when all of its anti-slip, anti-swerve and anti-lock systems all immediately failed a simultaneously. My vehicle is currently experiencing the following safety defects: 2.while driving on the palisades parkway on 8/08/06, under a year…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 15,026 miles

  8. Other or unspecified

    5 complaints · 6%

    Hood latch open going 70 miles per hour going south on i74 south of indianapolis indiana. Drove to airport to pick up my daughter. On way name hood smashed winshield without warning. Mirror hit me in the face was able to stop vehicle. Did damage to hood broke winshield and did a little inside damage inside. Map lights
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 160,900 miles
    Engine stabilizer bracket (dogbone) welding defective and falls off. Could start a fire in passenger area. Firewall wears down. Noise is a chirping sound during any movement. Transmission and engine become unstable. Transmission mounts break as a result.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 150,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca?
By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (27 complaints, typically around 107,000 miles); air bags (18 complaints); electrical (13 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2006 a bad year for the Subaru B9 Tribeca?
It is the most complained-about B9 Tribeca model year since 2000, with 84 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Subaru B9 Tribeca years

Subaru B9 Tribeca problems by year