2006 Subaru B9 TRIBECA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
101,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 59 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 84 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 11.9% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 18 |
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
Structure:Body: 18; Air Bags: 17; Electrical System: 10; Exterior Lighting: 9; Visibility/Wiper: 8; Service Brakes: 6; Engine: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2005: 2; 2006: 6; 2007: 7; 2008: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 12; 2014: 7; 2015: 9; 2016: 10; 2017: 10; 2018: 5; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10165112 · 2006-08-10 (August 10, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE 30 MINS AFTER PARKING, THE WINDOWS WERE BLACKENED AND A FIRE WAS BURNING IN THE CONSOLE BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE WIRING BELOW THE CUP HOLDER IN THE CONSOLE BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 208 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223741 · 2008-04-08 (April 8, 2008)
ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 36,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10423012 · 2011-09-02 (September 2, 2011)
TL* 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 INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER REPAIRS AND THE VEHICLE AS TAKEN BACK T…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10423012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562584 · 2014-02-02 (February 2, 2014)
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 YEARS BACK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164634 · 2006-08-06 (August 6, 2006)
1.WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SNOWY CORNER ON XXX 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 FROM ITS PURCHASE, WE HEARD A LOUD BAND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF ON THE DASHBOARD, INCLUDING THE OIL LIGHT. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN POURING A THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,026 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352535 · 2020-09-01 (September 1, 2020)
TL* 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. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193157 · 2007-06-13 (June 13, 2007)
REAR RIGHT WHEEL HIT WASHBOARD PAYMENT WITH GRAVEL. THIS PRODUCED AN AXLE-HOP LIKE MOTION TO THE OUTSIDE, RIGHT. THE FRONT AND LEFT WHEELS RECEIVED NO POWER UNTIL THE HOP ENDED, APPROX 5-6 SECONDS. DRIVER FELT THAT IF AN UNKNOWING PERSON JERKED THE STEERING TO LEFT A ROLLOVER MAY WELL HAVE OCCURRED. 2) BEFORE THOUGHTLESSLY DISMISSING THIS AS EXCESSIVE SPEED, REMEMBER THE LONG DELAY BEFORE THE OTHER WHEELS REACTED. SUBARU SAID THE REACTION WAS A MILLE A ISECON BUT, IN TRUTH, IT WAS SO LONG THAT IT BECAME DANGEROUS AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,880 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11161071 · 2018-12-13 (December 13, 2018)
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. ELECTRICAL ADJUSTER BUTTON STOPPED WORKING FOR THE FORWARD POSITION. IT WILL MOVE UP , DOWN & BACKWARD. I WAS OUT OF TOWN & WHEN I STOPPED IN MY DAUGHTERS DRIVEWAY , MOVED THE SEAT BACK, AS MY PHONE SLIPPED UNDER THE SEAT. I WAS HORRIFIED WHEN I COULDN'T MOVE IT BACK. I HAD OVER 150 MILES TO DRIVE BACK HOME. I HAD TO USE SEVERAL PILLOWS TO REACH THE STEERING WHEEL SO I COULD DRIVE BACK HOME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY SUBARU OWNERS OF VARIOUS MODELS AND MAKE YEARS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM , WITH DRIVER SI…
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11161071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11078886 · 2018-03-13 (March 13, 2018)
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-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11078886 at NHTSA ↗