Subaru · Tribeca · 2006
8
Recalls
93
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2006 Subaru Tribeca has 8 recalls and 93 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (17 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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. (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.
Remedy Status
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. (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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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. (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.
Remedy Status
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).
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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).
Remedy Status
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.
I have had 3 Subarus in the last 2 years. All 3-a 2006 Subaru Tribeca B9, a 2007 Subaru Tribeca B9, and a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek have had electrical and lighting problems. They all have burnt out headlights, interior lights and fog lights, have loose wiring that has affected the computer and navigation system. 2 of them lost all lighting. The Subaru Crosstrek burnt out all the lights in one incident and the 2007 Subaru Tribeca B9 had an alternator problem that fried all the lights at one time as well as the navigation system. They all have more lights lit on the dash than there should be.
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and was unable to be restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.
JUST PURCHASED
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.
I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IMA CITY STREET AND VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED OFF. TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AGAIN AND IT RAN BUT ONCE AGAIN UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED OFF.
MY WHOLE ELECTRIC SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. CLIMATE CONTROL RAIDIO HEATED SEATS ANYTHING ELECTRIC.
HOOD RELEASE CABLE IS BAD AND WILL COMPLETELY BREAK IF NOT REPAIRED SOON! IF THIS BREAKS, IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HOOD.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65-70 MPH AND MY HOOD FLEW OPEN STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ME TO DRIVE INTO A GUARD RAIL. CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING NECK AND BACK ISSUES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL.
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 SIDE FORWARD SWITCH. I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2016, FROM POWER FORD.
TAKATA RECALL MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER I HAD MY PASSENGER AIR BAG REPLACED , NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL IT IS AN INTERNAL SHORT SO THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE AIRBAG FOR 860 DOLLARS PLUS LABOR
ON FEBRUARY 23, 2018, THE HOOD LATCH WAS REPAIRED DUE TO A HOOD LATCH RECALL. THIS WAS WITH THE NEW HOOD LATCH. IT WAS FRIDAY JUNE 6, 2018, A LITTLE PAST 0600, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE COUNTY HIGHWAY, DOING BETWEEN 60-65, WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 4 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN,AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. THANKFULLY NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE VICINITY. AFTER I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE I CLOSED THE HOOD, IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT. I NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS NEAR THE END OF A GUARDRAIL AND THERE WAS A GRAVEL AREA, SO I MOVED MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. WHILE I THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT IT WAS RAINING GLASS. I GRABBED MY WORK GEAR AND JUMPED OUT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND I WAS GIVEN A RIDE TO WORK.
I HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS NOTICES TO HAVE MY FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED. ON TWO OCCASIONS I HAVE MADE APPOINTMENTS WITH THE LOCAL CORPUS CHRISTI SUBARU DEALER TO HAVE THIS REMEDIED. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THEY TELL ME THAT THE PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. THE LATEST NOTICE DATED 8/17 TELLS ME THAT. "PARTS ARE AVAILABLE", HOWEVER THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY ARE NOT. I KEEP GETTING THE RUNAROUND AND IN THE MEANTIME I CANNOT HAVE A PASSENGER SIT IN MY FRONT SEAT AND I DON'T FEEL SAVE DRIVING IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V016000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. VISTA SUBARU OF SILVERTHORNE, COLORADO (171 9TH ST, 80498) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I CAN'T EMPHASIZE RIGHT NOW HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM IN SUBARU'S CUSTOMER SERVICE IN BOTH THE USA AND IN THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA. I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA. I HAVE YET TO CONTACT CORPORATE IN JAPAN, AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. UNFORTUNATELY, BOTH PARTIES ON THE SIDES OF SUBARU IN PANAMA (SUBARU DEL CANAL S.A.) AND SUBARU IN THE USA (1-800-782-2783) HAVE BEEN MORE WORRIED ABOUT COSTS THAN PROMOTING SUBARU'S STANDARD OF SAFETY WHICH IS WHY I INVESTED IN THE SUBARU IN THE FIRST PLACE, BEING AN EXPECTANT FATHER AT THE TIME. AROUND JULY OF 2010 MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A SECOND HAND 2006 B9 TRIBECA FROM A DEALER IN PHOENIX, AZ. WE ENJOYED THE VEHICLE SO MUCH, THAT WE DECIDED TO BRING IT WITH US ON OUR MOVE BACK TO PANAMA. I GUESS THIS IS WHERE SUBARU'S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY DRAWS THE LINE. EVERYONE I HAVE SO FAR SPOKEN TO HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME WELL SINCE YOU DIDN'T BUY THE CAR HERE WE CAN'T HELP YOU, OR, SINCE YOU ARE NO LONGER HERE, WE CAN'T PAY FOR IT. I AM SITTING HERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOUR DESIGN FLAWS, ARE MY FAULT JUST BECAUSE I MOVED THE CAR FROM ONE SUBARU MARKET, TO ANOTHER. THE RECALLS IN QUESTION ARE: WQE41, WQY60, AND TKA16. MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR ABOUT TO LEAVE MY RESIDENCE WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR PUDDLE LIGHTS BOTH FAILED. THE FRONT ONE WAS SMOKING HEAVILY AND THE REAR ONE WAS ON FIRE. MY WIFE IMMEDIATELY GRABBED THE HOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING THE REAR ONE WHILE I GRABBED A 10MM WRENCH AND DISCONNECTED THE LEAD TO THE CAR BATTERY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE TRIM ON THE UNDERSIDE HAS PLASTIC MELTED WITH A BIG GAPING HOLE AND THERE ARE BURN MARKS ON THE PAINT AND PLASTIC ON BOTH PUDDLE LIGHTS.
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.
HOOD LATCH OPEN GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR GOING SOUTH ON I74 SOUTH OF INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA. DROVE TO AIRPORT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER. ON WAY NAME HOOD SMASHED WINSHIELD WITHOUT WARNING. MIRROR HIT ME IN THE FACE WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. DID DAMAGE TO HOOD BROKE WINSHIELD AND DID A LITTLE INSIDE DAMAGE INSIDE. MAP LIGHTS
TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED INITIAL RECALL NOTICE JULY 2016. I HAVE RECEIVED NO FURTHER NOTIFICATION. I WAS AT MY LOCAL DEALER ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE AND CHECKED WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK ON THE TAKATA RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. THE RECALL SAID SUBARU WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. MY LOCAL DEALER (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR) IS LITHIA RENO SUBARU #38.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TWICE NOW IN THE COLD MY BREAKS HAVE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP TO WHERE I CAN NOT EVEN PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN. THEY SEEM TO RELEASE AFTER SO MANY TRIES, BUT ONE TIME I COULD NOT STOP AT AN INTERSECTION DUE TO THE PROBLEM.
I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR ON MY WAY TO WORK. LUCKILY HAD NOT ENTERED THE FREEWAY YET. APPROACHING A STOP AND MY BRAKES FAILED! THE PEDAL WAS HARD AS A ROCK. I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AS I WAS HEADING INTO CROSSING TRAFFIC. I ENDED UP HITTING A SNOW BANK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM HOSES. ON MAY 11, 2017 I HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE 120,000 SERVICE CHECK. UPON PICKING UP MY VEHICLE, I WAS HEADING HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY MUSHY AND MY FOOT WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WAS BARELY STOPPING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE YET TO CONTACT ME REGARDING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I FEEL THAT SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR AND SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLES FOR BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE!!! I HAVE SEEN MANY POSTS ON THE SUBARU FORUMS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT! PLEASE RESPOND. TO [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2006 Subaru Tribeca has 8 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 93 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Subaru Tribeca.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2006 Subaru Tribeca.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2006 Subaru Tribeca are air bags (17 reports), structure (14 reports), exterior lighting (11 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 8 recalls on record for the 2006 Subaru Tribeca. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.