FaultScore

FaultScore report

2006 Subaru Tribeca problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2006 Subaru Tribeca with NHTSA between 2013 and 2017. The largest single group is the airbags.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

12

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

104,309 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2006 compares with every other Subaru Tribeca

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2006 Subaru Tribeca

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 5 41.7%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 118,500 mi

Doors, Latches & Locks 2 16.7%

Median failure at 104,309 miles

Lights 2 16.7%
Seat Belts 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 147,000 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 8.3%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 8.3%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 20.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 20.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 60.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2013 peak 3 Aug 2017

Recalls on the 2006 Subaru Tribeca

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2019191 100 units in Canada

Electrical

Issue: A problem with certain replacement ignition switches may allow the key turn out of the “ON” position while driving. This could cause the engine to turn off suddenly. It could also cause the airbag system not to work properly in a crash. Note: This is a voluntary service campaign that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This problem only affects certain parts used for replacement of original parts. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. An airbag system that does not work properly in a crash could cause an increased risk of injuries. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary.

Recall 2017020 25,303 units in Canada

Airbag

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.

Recall 2016048 5,961 units in Canada

Structure

On certain vehicles, the primary and secondary hood latches could fail at the same time. If this were to occur, the hood could open unexpectedly while the vehicle is being driven. This could compromise the driver's ability to see the road and its users, as well as cause damage to the windshield. These issues could result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect the hood latches, and either clean and lubricate or replace with the current style part. When parts are available, dealers will install revised hood latches.

Recall 2012444 293 units in Canada

Accessories

On certain vehicles equipped with dealer-installed accessory puddle lights, a short circuit may develop causing the lights to melt and/or emit smoke. This could result in a fire causing property damage and/or injury. Correction: Dealers will install an additional fused wiring harness to protect against short circuits.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 90,000 miles Lugoff, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #10724610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Dallastown, PA Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

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 BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA complaint #10606974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Dallastown, PA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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 BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA complaint #10606974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Newport, TN

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (GRAYSON SUBARU IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. .. ..UPDATED 09/25/17 *BF UPDATED 10/19/2017

NHTSA complaint #11019295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Webster, NY

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10969541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northfield, VT

AIR BAGS

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 CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10929963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northfield, VT

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10929963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northfield, VT

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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 CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10929963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,309 miles Yardley, PA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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

NHTSA complaint #10725479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Lugoff, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #10724610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Caribou, ME

VISIBILITY/WIPER

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 DESIGN. WE LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST WHERE WE EXPERIENCE A LONG SNOWY WINTER AND THE WIPERS ICE UP AND CAUSES US TO STOP EVERY 5-10 MILES TO CLEAN THEM OFF. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PRACTICE WITH TRAFFIC IE: SNOWPLOWS AND SEMIS TRAVELING THE ROADS AND A PERSON STANDING BESIDE THEIR VEHICLE EXPOSED.

NHTSA complaint #10616473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Dallastown, PA Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

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 BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA complaint #10606974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Dallastown, PA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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 BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA complaint #10606974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Campbell, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PUDDLE LIGHTS RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10523400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntingdon Valley, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

NHTSA complaint #10514219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.