CarBrief

The 2008 Tribeca has a small complaint file, with 30 complaints on record at NHTSA[1], but it has been named in 9 recalls[2]. Much of the concern is air bag inflator and hood latch recalls, so check the VIN for open recalls before you buy[3][4].

30owner complaints[1]
9recalls[2]
18MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 30 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, three mention a fire, one mentions injuries and none report deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[6] 9
Structure[7] 5
Brakes[8] 4
Suspension[9] 4
Engine[10] 3
Steering[11] 3
Latches, locks and linkages[12] 3
Electronic stability control[13] 2

We read a small sample of the complaint texts for the four biggest groups. It is not a count of all owners, but it shows what people write about.

Air bags. In a sample of 8 air bag complaints we read, 7 are about recall parts[6]. Owners got a notice, asked the dealer and were told the replacement part was not available. Some got no estimate for when it would arrive. None of those 7 describe an actual failure[6]. We do not know the current parts status.

Structure. In a sample of 5 complaints we read, 3 describe the hood opening while driving or a broken hood latch[7]. One of them says the hood smashed into the windshield. One describes steam and a burning smell in snow, with burned belts and hoses. One is about waiting for recall parts[7].

Brakes. In a sample of 4 brake complaints we read, 3 describe a hard brake pedal and lost power assist after the car sat in freezing weather[8]. The pedal worked again after pumping it. Owners suspect a frozen check valve in the vacuum line[8]. The fourth describes the rear of the car fishtailing on a wet highway and ending in a crash. The owner suspects the ABS, stability control or all-wheel drive[8].

Suspension. In a sample of 4 suspension complaints we read, 2 describe a broken suspension part and a short loss of control[9]. One names a control arm and the other a lateral link[9]. The other 2 describe undercarriage noise and a shake at low speed that a dealer traced to wheel bearings[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year[2]. Which air bag recall applies to a car depends on where it was sold or registered, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls instead of guessing.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the Tribeca AWD with the 3.6L 6-cylinder engine and Automatic (S5) at 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined[5]. It runs on regular fuel[5].

EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,700[5]. That figure uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4 DR AWD a rollover rating of 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 16.4%[21].

Engine and size

The EPA fuel economy listing is for a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine[5]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, converted from metric, and can differ slightly from US models[22].

Base/Limited Premier
Length[22][23] 190 in 190 in
Width[22][23] 74 in 74 in
Height[22][23] 67 in 67 in
Wheelbase[22][23] 108 in 108 in
Curb weight[22][23] 4,156 lb 4,266 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

2006: 93 complaints, 8 recalls20062007: 30 complaints, 8 recalls20072008: 30 complaints, 9 recalls3020082009: 14 complaints, 9 recalls20092010: 8 complaints, 10 recalls20102011: 4 complaints, 8 recalls20112012: 4 complaints, 7 recalls20122013: 3 complaints, 6 recalls2013
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tribeca model year. The 2008 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2006938
2007308
2008309
2009149
2010810
201148
201247
201336

Complaints on file for the Tribeca fall steadily with newer model years. The 2006 model has 93, the 2007 and 2008 models have 30 each, and the 2009 model has 14[2]. The 2010 model has 8, 2011 and 2012 have 4 each, 2013 has 3 and 2014 has 0[2].

Recalls do not follow the same pattern. The 2010 model has the most at 10[2]. The 2008 and 2009 models have 9 each[2]. The other years have between 4 and 8[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2008 Tribeca?

The complaint file is small, with 30 complaints[1], and the sample we read points to recall parts, hood latches, cold-weather brake assist, and broken suspension parts[6][7][8][9]. The bigger concern is the recall list. Nine recalls apply to this model year[2], including passenger air bag inflators that can rupture in a crash[3] and a hood that can open while driving[4]. Before you buy, run the VIN at NHTSA and make sure every repair is done, and ask the dealer if recall parts are in stock. Fuel economy is modest at 18 mpg combined[5].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Tribeca?
Air bags are the most named complaint group with 9 of 30 complaints, followed by structure with 5, and brakes and suspension with 4 each[1][6][7][8][9]. In the samples we read, owners describe waiting for recall parts, hood latch trouble, lost brake assist in freezing weather and broken suspension parts[6][7][8][9].
Does the 2008 Subaru Tribeca have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recalls[2]. They cover passenger air bag inflators, the hood latch, the ignition switch, puddle lights and a stability control sensor[14][3][4][19][20][2].
What gas mileage does the 2008 Subaru Tribeca get?
EPA rates the 3.6L AWD model at 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined[5].
Is the 2008 Subaru Tribeca the best year?
Our data does not name a best year. The 2008 model has 30 complaints, the same as 2007 and fewer than 2006 at 93, while newer years have fewer complaints[2].
How safe is the 2008 Subaru Tribeca in a rollover?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with a 16.4% rollover risk[21].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Subaru Tribeca (1 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Tribeca model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 17V026, filed January 11, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 16V060, filed February 3, 2016: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hood › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Tribeca AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 9 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 5 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 2 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 19V297, filed April 11, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V016, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V014, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V359, filed May 25, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 16V358, filed May 25, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 12V602, filed December 26, 2012: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 08V645, filed December 9, 2008: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBECA 4DR SUV AWD BASE/LIMITED: length 190 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 4,156 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBECA 4DR SUV AWD PREMIER: length 190 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 4,266 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.