Which Subaru B9 Tribeca years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2006 and 2007 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the two highest among all B9 Tribeca model years.

Is there a best year for the Subaru B9 Tribeca?

No year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2008 and 2009, with complaint indexes of 67 and 50.

What problems did 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca owners report most?

Structure & Body complaints led at 41 total across all years, and for 2006 specifically, 30 complaints (36% share) with a median failure mileage of about 106,060 miles.

Did the 2007 B9 Tribeca have engine problems?

Yes, Engine complaints tied for the top problem area in 2007 with 9 complaints (35% share), and the median mileage at failure was around 18,900 miles, notably earlier than most other issues.

How many total complaints does the Subaru B9 Tribeca have?

NHTSA lists 145 total complaints and 7 recall campaigns across the 2006-2012 model years.

Subaru B9 Tribeca Best and Worst Years (2006–2012)

Avoid the 2006 and 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca; they carry the highest complaint indexes (100 and 83) and the most reports of structural, electrical and airbag problems. No year earns a Good or Best rating because every model year is capped by recall campaigns, but 2008 and 2009 have the lowest complaint indexes (67 and 50) among the rest.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006 Avoid 2007Lowest-risk years:Caution 2008 Caution 2009

Model years: 7; 2006–2012
NHTSA complaints: 145
Recall campaigns: 7
Crashes reported: 9
Fires reported: 12
Top problem area: Structure & Body

B9 Tribeca Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Subaru B9 Tribeca problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	Avoid	100	84	5	8	0	Structure & Body	18	—
2007	Avoid	83	26	1	2	0	Electrical System	18	—
2008	Caution	67	16	1	1	0	Structure & Body	—	—
2009	Caution	50	9	1	0	0	Engine	—	—
2010	No verdict	33	4	0	1	0	Electrical System	—	—
2011	No verdict	17	2	1	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2012	No verdict	0	4	0	0	7	Electrical System	—	—

B9 Tribeca years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca Index 100 · 84 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2006 B9 Tribeca has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints overall (84). Structure & Body issues lead at 30 complaints (36% share), with a median failure mileage around 106,060. Electrical System problems follow with 22 complaints, including reports of dashboard wiring fires, at a median of 80,000 miles. Airbags account for 18 complaints (21% share), median 95,952 miles, and Brakes another 11 complaints. Owners reported fires starting in the center console and under the hood, plus brake pedals sinking to the floor during stops. Five crashes and eight fires were reported for this year, with five injuries and no deaths.

2006 structure & body problems →2006 electrical system problems →2006 airbags problems →

2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca Index 83 · 26 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2007 B9 Tribeca ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83 across 26 complaints. Electrical System and Engine problems tie as the top areas, each with 9 complaints (35% share); Electrical failures had a median mileage of 70,000, while Engine issues showed up much earlier, at a median of 18,900 miles. Owners reported vehicles catching fire after dashboard components failed, and one report described a radiator punctured by road debris due to a grille design gap. Airbags drew 6 complaints with a median mileage of 130,000. This year recorded one crash and two fires, with one injury.

Most common Subaru B9 Tribeca problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Structure & Body41 (28%)
Electrical System38 (26%)
Airbags30 (21%)
Engine22 (15%)
Brakes15 (10%)
Visibility & Wipers13 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain11 (8%)
Other10 (7%)
Fuel System8 (6%)
Steering6 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Subaru B9 Tribeca years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2006 and 2007 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the two highest among all B9 Tribeca model years.
Is there a best year for the Subaru B9 Tribeca?: No year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2008 and 2009, with complaint indexes of 67 and 50.
What problems did 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca owners report most?: Structure & Body complaints led at 41 total across all years, and for 2006 specifically, 30 complaints (36% share) with a median failure mileage of about 106,060 miles.
Did the 2007 B9 Tribeca have engine problems?: Yes, Engine complaints tied for the top problem area in 2007 with 9 complaints (35% share), and the median mileage at failure was around 18,900 miles, notably earlier than most other issues.
How many total complaints does the Subaru B9 Tribeca have?: NHTSA lists 145 total complaints and 7 recall campaigns across the 2006-2012 model years.