vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2006 Subaru TRIBECA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

9 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

97,155 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 9 complaints (55.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior111.1%

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.

Air Bags
5
Exterior Lighting
2
Latches/Locks/Linkages
1
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
1
Seat Belts
1
Structure:Body
1
Visibility/Wiper
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags5
Exterior Lighting2
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch1
Seat Belts1
Structure:Body1
Visibility/Wiper1

Air Bags: 5; Exterior Lighting: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Visibility/Wiper: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 5 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.

2013
2
2014
2
2015
2
2016
1
2017
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20132
20142
20152
20161
20172

2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10514219 · 2013-05-29 (May 29, 2013)

2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PUDDLE LIGHTS RECALL NOTICE . *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL, WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/08/13

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10514219 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10523400 · 2013-07-10 (July 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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10523400 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10606974 · 2014-06-30 (June 30, 2014)

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 B…

Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10606974 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10616473 · 2014-07-26 (July 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 DESI…

Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616473 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10724610 · 2015-06-10 (June 10, 2015)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10724610 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10725479 · 2015-06-16 (June 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

Owner-reported narrative. 104,309 miles reported. Look up ODI 10725479 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10929963 · 2016-12-05 (December 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 CONFI…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10929963 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10969541 · 2017-03-30 (March 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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10969541 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

12V602000 · Exterior Lighting

Reported: 2012-12-26 (December 26, 2012)

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).

Consequence: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V060000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | Structure:Body:Hood

Reported: 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Tribeca vehicles manufactured November 16, 2004, to January 27, 2014. Due to a possible malfunction of the hood safety system and hood lock system, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.

Consequence: If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will complete this recall in two phases. Phase one will involve inspection, cleaning, and lubricating the hood safety and hood lock systems. If after this is performed the hood latch does not operate properly, it will be replaced with a new current style part. Phase two will involve installing an improved hood safety system and hood lock system. Interim notification was mailed March 4, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQX-59 (phase one) and WQY-60 (phase two).

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V358000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-25 (May 25, 2016)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and 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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V359000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-25 (May 25, 2016)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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, or "Zone B." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and 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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16V-358 for Zone A.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V014000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and 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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger 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 TKA-17.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V016000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V026000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-11 (January 11, 2017)

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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V297000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 2019-04-11 (April 11, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗