2009 Subaru B9 Tribeca Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Subaru B9 Tribeca, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine218.2%
- Powertrain (other)218.2%
- Electrical19.1%
- Fuel system19.1%
- Exterior lighting19.1%
- Transmission19.1%
- Airbags19.1%
- Visibility19.1%
- Driver assistance19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEM 1. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY CAR LOST POWER, STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE GAS GUAGE WAS ON A 1/4 OF TAN OF GASOLINE, MILES GUAGE READ 100 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THANKS GOD, I NEAR THE NEXT EXIT. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTE AND WENT TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. THIS HAVE HAPPEN TO ME TWICE ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SO I TRY NOT LET THE GAS GUAGE FALL BELOW 1/4 TANK BECAUSE THE SENSOR ARE NOT REGISTER CORRECT. I HAVE TAKE MY CAR TO SUBARU DEALER IN JACKSON, MS 3 TIMES THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. I TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DAILY TO WORK, USUALLY DRIVE IN THE OUTER LEFT OR RIGHT LANE SO IF MY CAR CUT OFF I WILL BE ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NOT AT RAN OVER. I TOOK VIDEO PICTURE OF THE GUAGE READING TO SHOW TO THE SUBARU DEALER ON MY CELL PHONE. PROBLEM 2. TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ THE CAR IS RUNNING HOT WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING AT STOP LIGHT. THE GAUGE RANDOMLY MOVES UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TAKE MY CAR TO SUBARU OF JACKSON TWICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY KEEP MAY CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK COULD NOT GET IT TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACE MY RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUES. SINCE SUBARU CAN NOT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. PROBLEM 3: LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING THEN STAYS ON. I HAVE HAD THE TIRE PRESSURE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES. PRESSURE IS FINE ON ALL TIRES. .
I AM IN THE MILITARY CURRENTLY STATIONED OVERSEAS, IN ITALY, AND WE NOTICED THAT THE CAR I BOUGHT IN 2015 HAS BEEN RELEASING GAS FUMES ON COLD MORNING, THAT WILL LAST NO MORE THAN 3 MINUTES, NOTICEABLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. WE NEVER NOTICED THIS HAPPENING ON WARM SEASON. STRONG GAS SMELL COMES IN THROUGH THE AC VENTS WHEN THE CIRCULATION IS OPEN AND/OR IN DEFOGGER MODE. NO GAS SMELL IN ENGINE BAY BUT RATHER THE GAS SMELL IS STRONG ON THE EXHAUST PIPES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A LARGE SHUDDER AT SLOW ACCELERATION. THE PROBLEM WAS SLIGHT TO BEGIN WITH HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS NO GOOD, HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT REPLACE FOR FREE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THROUGH MY INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT SUBARU DID A DESIGN CHANGE IN EARLY 2009 TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR ALL DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTERS IT HAS INSTALLED. *TR
WHEN ACCELERATING MODERATELY, THE DRIVETRAIN/TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS. THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. THIS USUALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 20-40 MPH, ESPECIALLY WHEN MOVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION AND NO "ERROR CODES" ARE SHOWING IN THE COMPUTER. MY WIFE DOES NOT FEEL CONFIDENT DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER AS IT MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO PULL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. APPARENTLY WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE THIS, BUT SUBARU DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WILLING TO RECTIFY THIS CONDITION. OWNERS OF 2008 AND 2009 TRIBECA'S FREQUENTLY COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT "NOTHING IS WRONG" WHEN THE VEHICLES ARE LOOKED AT BY SUBARU TECHNICIANS. I WONDER IS SUBARU IS HAVING THEIR DEALERS COVER UP THIS ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEM 1. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY CAR LOST POWER, STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE GAS GUAGE WAS ON A 1/4 OF TAN OF GASOLINE, MILES GUAGE READ 100 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THANKS GOD, I NEAR THE NEXT EXIT. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTE AND WENT TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. THIS HAVE HAPPEN TO ME TWICE ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SO I TRY NOT LET THE GAS GUAGE FALL BELOW 1/4 TANK BECAUSE THE SENSOR ARE NOT REGISTER CORRECT. I HAVE TAKE MY CAR TO SUBARU DEALER IN JACKSON, MS 3 TIMES THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. I TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DAILY TO WORK, USUALLY DRIVE IN THE OUTER LEFT OR RIGHT LANE SO IF MY CAR CUT OFF I WILL BE ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NOT AT RAN OVER. I TOOK VIDEO PICTURE OF THE GUAGE READING TO SHOW TO THE SUBARU DEALER ON MY CELL PHONE. PROBLEM 2. TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ THE CAR IS RUNNING HOT WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING AT STOP LIGHT. THE GAUGE RANDOMLY MOVES UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TAKE MY CAR TO SUBARU OF JACKSON TWICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY KEEP MAY CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK COULD NOT GET IT TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACE MY RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUES. SINCE SUBARU CAN NOT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. PROBLEM 3: LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING THEN STAYS ON. I HAVE HAD THE TIRE PRESSURE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES. PRESSURE IS FINE ON ALL TIRES. .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM IN THE MILITARY CURRENTLY STATIONED OVERSEAS, IN ITALY, AND WE NOTICED THAT THE CAR I BOUGHT IN 2015 HAS BEEN RELEASING GAS FUMES ON COLD MORNING, THAT WILL LAST NO MORE THAN 3 MINUTES, NOTICEABLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. WE NEVER NOTICED THIS HAPPENING ON WARM SEASON. STRONG GAS SMELL COMES IN THROUGH THE AC VENTS WHEN THE CIRCULATION IS OPEN AND/OR IN DEFOGGER MODE. NO GAS SMELL IN ENGINE BAY BUT RATHER THE GAS SMELL IS STRONG ON THE EXHAUST PIPES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLAMPS BURN OUT AND CAUSE SHORTING ON OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS LIKE BLOWER FAN, WINDOWS AND ETC. I CHANGE HEADLAMPS EVERY 1-2 MONTHS SOMETIMES SOONER, AND NOW I'M FORCED TO CHANGE THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT ARE EFFECTED BY THIS SHORTING ISSUE!!!!!! I'M TOLD THAT SUBARU HAD AN DEFECT WITH THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES!!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE STALL OUT / FLASHING ATOIL LIGHT / CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FLASHING VSC LIGHT ON/ FLASHING CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT. - VEHICLE RUNNING ROUGH. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. FIRST OCCURRED 2/23/2009 -(2567 MILES) DX WITH TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PROBLEM. REPAIRED W/DX CODES P1578, P0700 CURRENT INCIDENT AT 24,000 MILES - DEALERSHIP REPORTING DIFFICULTY IN DIAGNOSING PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owned a 2009 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated while driving on ice, at a low speed, the contact's vehicle slid and rolled before slamming into a culvert. The contact stated that the driver's door air bag was deployed, however, no other air bags deployed. In addition, the contact stated that an unknown air bag recall repair was performed on the vehicle in 2023. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The Police and paramedics were at the scene. A Police report was filed, however, some of the information was unavailable. The contact was transported to the local hospital. The contact sustained bruises, scratches, and body pain. The vehicle was condemned to total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD CRACKING FOR NO REASON. APPROX 4 CLEAN, THROUGH AND THROUGH, CRACKS NOW. ALL ROUGHLY 8' LONG. NO CHIPS AND/OR ROCK DINGS. WOKE UP TWO MORNINGS AGO, CAR GARAGED, AND THERE WAS A NEW CRACK AFTER IT SAT IDLE IN A GARAGE ALL NIGHT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON ENTERING HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING TO ACHIEVE THE PRESCRIBED 65MPH, THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING, UNCOMMANDED, EVEN WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 85MPH FOR MILES, (I WAS PUMPING BRAKES AND FRANTICALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO AND WHAT WAS GOING ON). I WAS ABLE TO FIND AN EXIT RAMP AND HAD THE THOUGHT I COULD PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEREBY SUCCESSFULLY SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV IN NEUTRAL, AND AFTER THE CAR STOPPED AND I PUT IT IN PARK, THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV AND BEGAN TO SHUDDER UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE POWER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .