RoadVitals

2006 Subaru Tribeca

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Aug 24, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Apr 11, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Subaru Tribeca, most frequently naming the airbags, interior & seats and exterior lighting categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 46 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags541.7%
  • Interior & seats216.7%
  • Exterior lighting216.7%
  • Body & structure18.3%
  • Seat belts18.3%
  • Visibility18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V297000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Apr 11, 2019
511 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
The risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WUF-91View on NHTSA.gov
17V026000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 11, 2017
69,529 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKB-17View on NHTSA.gov
17V016000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 10, 2017
62,764 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-17.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKC-17View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 9
Airbags
Filed Aug 24, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (GRAYSON SUBARU IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. .. ..UPDATED 09/25/17 *BF UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
11019295
Incident
Jul 25, 2016
Airbags
Filed Mar 30, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10969541
Incident
Jul 25, 2016
AirbagsBody & structureInterior & seats
Filed Dec 5, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS), 16V060000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10929963
Incident
Sep 19, 2016
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,309....UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10725479
Incident
May 20, 2015
Mileage
104,309 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 10, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND CRASHED BETWEEN TWO TREES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, LEG, AND HIP INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 02/18/16*LJ

NHTSA ID
10724610
Incident
Jun 5, 2015
Mileage
90,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 26, 2014

SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN WINDSHIELD WE HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2088 AND HAVE REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD EACH YEAR OF OWNERSHIP FROM A SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. WE WINDSHIELD WILL BE WHOLE WHEN PARKED AND THE NEXT MORNING IT WILL HAVE A CRACK WHICH ORIGINATES IN THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE CHANGED GLASS COMPANIES MULTIPLE TIMES THINKING THAT IT WAS INSTALLATION ISSUES BUT THE SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN WINDSHIELD CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. WE ARE ON WINDSHIELD #6 OF OUR OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE. POOR WINDSHIELD WIPER DESIGN. WE LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST WHERE WE EXPERIENCE A LONG SNOWY WINTER AND THE WIPERS ICE UP AND CAUSES US TO STOP EVERY 5-10 MILES TO CLEAN THEM OFF. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PRACTICE WITH TRAFFIC IE: SNOWPLOWS AND SEMIS TRAVELING THE ROADS AND A PERSON STANDING BESIDE THEIR VEHICLE EXPOSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10616473
Incident
Jul 9, 2013
Mileage
71,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jun 30, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S BODY LUNGED FORWARD AND HIS HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS LEFT SHOULDER, RIGHT KNEE, NECK, AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ID
10606974
Incident
Jun 12, 2014
Mileage
147,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 10, 2013

2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PUDDLE LIGHTS RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10523400
Incident
Jul 1, 2013

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TKA-17R, TKB-17R

AIR BAGS

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain Subaru vehicles listed, equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger side frontal airbag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (certain specific vehicles only).

01-168-09R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.

15-302-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

01-167-08R

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

15-192-22R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).

01-167-08R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Tribeca by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014040—
2013360—
2011280—
20104100—
2009590—
2008149052.1
2007480—
2006Viewing980—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.