2012 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 2012 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
- Exterior lighting225.0%
- Powertrain (other)225.0%
- Body & structure112.5%
- Electrical112.5%
- Engine112.5%
- Steering112.5%
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
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN OIL AND HEAD GASKET LEAK. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS FOR THE DOORS NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN AND THE FREQUENT BULB OUTAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE OIL AND HEAD GASKET LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER DRIVING, ON THE SHORT STOP (DROP OFF OR PICK UP KIDS), IN SHIFTING TO P POSITION, THE FRONT RIGHT/LEFT DOORS FREQUENTLY NOT UNLOCKED. EVEN WITH A MANUAL UNLOCK BUTTON TO THE DRIVER LEFT SIDE PANEL. SO, IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY, IT MAY BE A PROBLEM TO GET OUT FROM THE FRONT SEAT. IN 2014 -2015 HAD ALREADY ISSUE WITH FRONT HEADLIGHTS THAT WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES THE SAME PART, AND 2 TIMES WAS REPLACED THE SAME BREAK LIGHTS. 2015 LEFT SIDE WINDOW THE MOTOR BROKE. SUBARU AUTO NATION MAZDA GARAGE CHARGED $2,473 TO REPLACE BOTH HEADGASKETS LEAKING, TIMING COVER. STEERING WHEEL HAS A BALANCE ISSUE. I REPLACED BATTERY. FRONT TIRE TREAD IS 0 NDS, BACK 5 NDS. AND I CAN'T REPLACE JUST 2 FRONT, I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL TIRES AT ONCE. HAS VERY INSUFFICIENT FUEL USAGE. ADDITIONAL STORAGE SPACE AT THE REAR OF DRIVER SEATS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IT WAS FIXED IN 2015 AND RIPPED AGAIN IN 2 WEEKS. IT'S ALWAYS BREAKS DOWN SOMETHING. I CAME TO REPLACE JUST A BATTERY AND END UP PAYING TO THE GARAGE $3,225.65
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
VEHICLE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL AND TEMP, ALL WERE NORMAL. PULLED AWAY AND THE ENGINE REVED UP THEN BANGED INTO GEAR. DROVE NORMALLY FOR SEVERAL MILES. THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF. DROVE THE NEXT DAY AND FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH NO INCIDENCE. OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY THE NEXT WEEK. ON THE SUBARU OWNERS FORUM FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THEY STATED THAT THE SUBARU DEALERS CALLED IT A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 5EAT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 59,000 MILES. DEALER SOLUTION IS A $2000 VALVE BODY. DRIVES NORMALLY FOR SHORT DISTANCES AND AT SLOWER SPEEDS. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS NO POWER IS TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEELS. UNSAFE SITUATION.
2012 SUBARU TRIBECA- TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE KNOWN ISSUE ON SUBARU CARS FROM THAT YEAR, RECALL/EXTENDED REPAIR DOESN'T COVER MODEL. CAR STALLS WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. STARTED AS STRONG HESITATION AND PROGRESSED RAPIDLY TO UNPREDICTABLE/SUDDEN STALLING. HAPPENED AT BOTH HIGH SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY AND AT SLOW SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. RESULTS IN TOTAL ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND REQUIRES TIME FOR ENGINE RESTART. HIGHLY DANGEROUS. OCCURS RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CRASH HAZARD. FIRST ISSUE 9/28. TOTAL STALL ON MAJOR HIGHWAY 9/30. CANNOT BE DRIVEN WITHOUT STALL. TWO ATTEMPTED REPAIRS BEFORE IDENTIFIED. SUBARU DEALER CONFIRMED KNOWN ISSUE FOR THAT YEAR BUT HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY REPORTED FOR THIS CAR TO HELP COVER REPAIR. REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $5000 TO REPLACE PART AND REBUILD TRANSMISSION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN OIL AND HEAD GASKET LEAK. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS FOR THE DOORS NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN AND THE FREQUENT BULB OUTAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE OIL AND HEAD GASKET LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
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
SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER DRIVING, ON THE SHORT STOP (DROP OFF OR PICK UP KIDS), IN SHIFTING TO P POSITION, THE FRONT RIGHT/LEFT DOORS FREQUENTLY NOT UNLOCKED. EVEN WITH A MANUAL UNLOCK BUTTON TO THE DRIVER LEFT SIDE PANEL. SO, IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY, IT MAY BE A PROBLEM TO GET OUT FROM THE FRONT SEAT. IN 2014 -2015 HAD ALREADY ISSUE WITH FRONT HEADLIGHTS THAT WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES THE SAME PART, AND 2 TIMES WAS REPLACED THE SAME BREAK LIGHTS. 2015 LEFT SIDE WINDOW THE MOTOR BROKE. SUBARU AUTO NATION MAZDA GARAGE CHARGED $2,473 TO REPLACE BOTH HEADGASKETS LEAKING, TIMING COVER. STEERING WHEEL HAS A BALANCE ISSUE. I REPLACED BATTERY. FRONT TIRE TREAD IS 0 NDS, BACK 5 NDS. AND I CAN'T REPLACE JUST 2 FRONT, I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL TIRES AT ONCE. HAS VERY INSUFFICIENT FUEL USAGE. ADDITIONAL STORAGE SPACE AT THE REAR OF DRIVER SEATS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IT WAS FIXED IN 2015 AND RIPPED AGAIN IN 2 WEEKS. IT'S ALWAYS BREAKS DOWN SOMETHING. I CAME TO REPLACE JUST A BATTERY AND END UP PAYING TO THE GARAGE $3,225.65
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN OIL AND HEAD GASKET LEAK. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS FOR THE DOORS NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN AND THE FREQUENT BULB OUTAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE OIL AND HEAD GASKET LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER DRIVING, ON THE SHORT STOP (DROP OFF OR PICK UP KIDS), IN SHIFTING TO P POSITION, THE FRONT RIGHT/LEFT DOORS FREQUENTLY NOT UNLOCKED. EVEN WITH A MANUAL UNLOCK BUTTON TO THE DRIVER LEFT SIDE PANEL. SO, IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY, IT MAY BE A PROBLEM TO GET OUT FROM THE FRONT SEAT. IN 2014 -2015 HAD ALREADY ISSUE WITH FRONT HEADLIGHTS THAT WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES THE SAME PART, AND 2 TIMES WAS REPLACED THE SAME BREAK LIGHTS. 2015 LEFT SIDE WINDOW THE MOTOR BROKE. SUBARU AUTO NATION MAZDA GARAGE CHARGED $2,473 TO REPLACE BOTH HEADGASKETS LEAKING, TIMING COVER. STEERING WHEEL HAS A BALANCE ISSUE. I REPLACED BATTERY. FRONT TIRE TREAD IS 0 NDS, BACK 5 NDS. AND I CAN'T REPLACE JUST 2 FRONT, I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL TIRES AT ONCE. HAS VERY INSUFFICIENT FUEL USAGE. ADDITIONAL STORAGE SPACE AT THE REAR OF DRIVER SEATS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IT WAS FIXED IN 2015 AND RIPPED AGAIN IN 2 WEEKS. IT'S ALWAYS BREAKS DOWN SOMETHING. I CAME TO REPLACE JUST A BATTERY AND END UP PAYING TO THE GARAGE $3,225.65
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 .