What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Tribeca?

NHTSA lists the most complaints for structure (28) and air bags (23). In the sample of texts we read, owners describe the hood opening while driving and delays getting air bag recall parts.

Does the 2006 Subaru Tribeca have recalls?

Yes, 8 recalls are listed. They cover the passenger air bag inflator, hood latch, puddle lights and replacement ignition switches.

What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Subaru Tribeca?

The EPA rates it at 16 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg, on premium fuel.

Is the 2006 Subaru Tribeca safe?

NHTSA gives the 4-door AWD 4 stars for rollover, with a 16.4% rollover risk. Several recalls involve safety parts, so check that they are done.

Which Subaru Tribeca year has the fewest problems?

By NHTSA complaint counts, later years have far fewer than 2006, down to 0 for 2014. Counts are not adjusted for sales, and later years have recalls too.

2006 Subaru Tribeca Problems, Recalls and MPG

The 2006 Subaru Tribeca has 93 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the most of any Tribeca model year^[1]^[2]. It also has 8 recalls, It also has 8 recalls, so check that every recall that applies to the car has been done before you buy or keep it^[2].^[2].

93owner complaints^[1]

8recalls^[2]

18MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Of those, 7 mention a crash, 8 a fire and 7 an injury^[1]. No deaths are reported^[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

Component group	Complaints
Structure^[4]	28
Air bags^[5]	23
Exterior lighting^[6]	14
Electrical system^[7]	13
Visibility/wiper^[8]	9
Brakes^[9]	8
Engine^[10]	7
Latches/locks/linkages^[11]	6

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. That sample is too small to say how common anything is, but it shows what owners describe.

Structure. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 8 describe the hood coming open while driving and hitting the windshield^[4]. Three describe a cracked firewall or thumping and rattling from the front end, and one describes rear hatch supports failing in cold weather^[4]. The hood complaints match the hood latch recall below.
Air bags. In a sample of 12, 6 describe waiting for parts for the passenger air bag recall^[5]. Some say the dealer told them not to seat a front passenger meanwhile^[5]. Three describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash^[5].
Exterior lighting. In a sample of 12, 6 involve the puddle lights under the doors, including smoke or a burning smell and recall parts not being available^[6]. Five describe headlamps or fog lamps burning out again and again, or weak low beams^[6].
Electrical system. In a sample of 11, 5 describe fire or smoke, from console wiring, under the hood or a puddle light^[7].

The electrical system group has the most fires, with 7^[7]. Exterior lighting has 3^[6].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2006 Tribeca^[2]. Newest first:

Ignition switch (19V297). Only cars with a replacement mechanical key ignition switch are affected, 511 units in all^[12]. A weak ball spring could let the switch slip from run to accessory, which shuts off the engine and raises crash risk. The air bag may also not deploy in that crash. Dealers inspect the switch and replace it if needed, free of charge^[12].
Passenger air bag inflator (17V026). The inflator can rupture after long exposure to humidity and temperature swings. Metal fragments could hit occupants and cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the inflator for free. It covers cars sold or registered in a listed group of states^[13].
Passenger air bag inflator (17V016). Same inflator problem and same free replacement, for a different list of states^[14].
Passenger air bag inflator (17V014). Same problem and fix again, covering another list of states and territories^[15].
Passenger air bag inflator (16V359). Same rupture risk and free replacement. It applies to cars the notice calls Zone B that were not covered by the Zone A recall^[16].
Passenger air bag inflator (16V358). Same rupture risk and free replacement, for cars the notice calls Zone A^[17].
Hood latch (16V060). The hood may open while driving and block the driver's view, which raises crash risk. The fix comes in two phases. Dealers first inspect, clean and lubricate the hood safety and lock systems, and replace the latch if it still does not work. The second phase installs an improved hood safety and lock system. The recall covers 77,017 units^[18].
Puddle lights (12V602). Only some cars had the accessory puddle lights. Moisture or road salt can cause a short circuit, which may melt plastic and cause smoke or fire. Dealers add a fused harness for free^[19].

Because the air bag recalls depend on where the car was sold or registered, ask a dealer to check the VIN against NHTSA's recall lookup. The recall facts we hold do not say which recall applies to a given car.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the Tribeca AWD with the 3.0L 6-cylinder engine and Automatic (S5) at 16 mpg city, 21 highway and 18 combined^[3]. It uses premium fuel. The EPA's estimated annual fuel cost is $4,550, based on the EPA's current fuel price assumptions and not on prices when the car was new^[3].

Safety ratings

In NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings, the 4-door AWD Tribeca earns 4 stars for rollover^[20]. NHTSA lists the rollover risk at 16.4%^[20]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

The EPA test vehicle has a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine^[3]. These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications, so US models can differ slightly^[21].

Measure	Value
Length	190 in
Width	74 in
Height	67 in
Wheelbase	108 in
Curb weight	4,167 lb

The figures are for the B9 Tribeca 4-door SUV AWD^[21].

How 2006 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tribeca model year. The 2006 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2006	93	8
2007	30	8
2008	30	9
2009	14	9
2010	8	10
2011	4	8
2012	4	7
2013	3	6

The 2006 model year has the most complaints of any Tribeca year, with 93^[2]. The next highest are 2007 and 2008 with 30 each^[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the gap as a hint and not a measure of reliability.

Recalls tell a different story. The 2006 year has 8, while 2008 and 2009 have 9 each and 2010 has 10^[2]. Complaints then fall to 8 for 2010, 4 for 2011 and 2012, 3 for 2013 and none for 2014^[2].

Should you buy a used 2006 Tribeca?

This model year draws more owner complaints than any other Tribeca year, and several involve the hood, lighting and fire risk^[1]^[2]. Seven of the eight recalls say the dealer remedy is free of charge^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]^[19]. Before buying, confirm with a dealer that each recall that applies to the car has been completed, especially the air bag inflator, hood latch and puddle light recalls. The EPA rates it at 18 mpg combined, on premium fuel^[3]. Our data does not cover repair costs or long-term reliability, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Tribeca?: NHTSA lists the most complaints for structure (28) and air bags (23)^[4]^[5]. In the sample of texts we read, owners describe the hood opening while driving and delays getting air bag recall parts^[4]^[5].
Does the 2006 Subaru Tribeca have recalls?: Yes, 8 recalls are listed^[2]. They cover the passenger air bag inflator, hood latch, puddle lights and replacement ignition switches^[2]^[12]^[13]^[18]^[19].
What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Subaru Tribeca?: The EPA rates it at 16 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg, on premium fuel^[3].
Is the 2006 Subaru Tribeca safe?: NHTSA gives the 4-door AWD 4 stars for rollover, with a 16.4% rollover risk^[20]. Several recalls involve safety parts, so check that they are done^[2].
Which Subaru Tribeca year has the fewest problems?: By NHTSA complaint counts, later years have far fewer than 2006, down to 0 for 2014^[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, and later years have recalls too^[2].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Subaru Tribeca (7 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Tribeca model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for B9 Tribeca AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
28 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,000). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,952). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,984). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 121,000). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 114,500). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V297, filed April 11, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V026, filed January 11, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V016, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V014, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V359, filed May 25, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V358, filed May 25, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V060, filed February 3, 2016: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hood › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V602, filed December 26, 2012: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, B9 TRIBECA 4DR SUV AWD: length 190 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 4,167 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2006 Subaru Tribeca: problems, recalls and fuel economy