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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2006–2012

Subaru B9 Tribeca recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 145 owner complaints for the Subaru B9 Tribeca, covering model years 2006 to 2012. The 2006 model year drew the most complaints (84), and Structure is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Subaru B9 Tribeca VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 7 recall campaigns on file
  • 145 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (2006–2012)
  • most complaints: 2006 (84 for that model year)
  • top component: Structure (37 complaints)
  • latest recall 19V009000 (reported Jan 9, 2019)
  • 9 complaints reporting a crash (6.2%)
  • 12 complaints reporting a fire (8.3%)
  • 8 complaints reporting an injury (5.5%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Subaru B9 Tribeca complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2006 model year has the most complaints: 84 of 145, or 57.9%. Next come 2007 (26) and 2008 (16). The fewest are for 2011, with 2 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Subaru B9 Tribeca owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2006–2012Column chart of 145 complaints across 7 model years. The highest is 2006 with 84. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2006: 84 complaints8420062007: 26 complaints2620072008: 16 complaints1620082009: 9 complaints920092010: 4 complaints420102011: 2 complaints220112012: 4 complaints42012
Subaru B9 Tribeca complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Subaru B9 Tribeca complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2006845850
2007261210
2008161110
200991010
201040100
201121000
201240000
All model years14591280

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Subaru B9 Tribeca components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Structure is the component named most often, in 37 complaints (25.5% of all 145), followed by Air Bags (30) and Electrical System (26).

Components named most often in Subaru B9 Tribeca complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Subaru B9 Tribeca complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Structure3725.5%
Air Bags3020.7%
Electrical System2617.9%
Exterior Lighting1611.0%
Power Train117.6%
Engine106.9%
Visibility/Wiper106.9%
Latches/Locks/Linkages96.2%
Service Brakes96.2%
Unknown or Other96.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling64.1%
Steering64.1%
Vehicle Speed Control64.1%
Fuel/Propulsion System53.4%
Suspension53.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Subaru B9 Tribeca recalls

7 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name B9 Tribeca, newest first. The 7 campaigns cover model year 2012.

  • 7 recall campaigns
Subaru B9 Tribeca recall campaigns covering each model year
2012: 7 campaigns

  1. NHTSA campaign 19V009000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2012

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Consequence:
    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 19V008000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2012

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Consequence:
    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 19V007000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2012

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Consequence:
    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 18V012000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2012

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Consequence:
    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 17V014000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2012

    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.

    Consequence:
    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 16V060000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch; Structure › Body › Hood

    Model year 2012

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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).

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 12V602000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting

    Model year 2012

    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).

    Consequence:
    Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Subaru B9 Tribeca questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Subaru B9 Tribeca have?

NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns for the Subaru B9 Tribeca, covering model years 2006 to 2012. The most recent, 19V009000, was reported on January 9, 2019 and is filed under “Air bags”.

Which Subaru B9 Tribeca model year has the most complaints?

The 2006 model year, with 84 of the 145 complaints in NHTSA’s file (57.9%). The next are 2007 (26) and 2008 (16). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Subaru B9 Tribeca complaint?

Structure is the component named most often: 37 complaints, or 25.5% of all 145. Air Bags (30) and Electrical System (26) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Subaru B9 Tribeca?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Subaru dealer.

How many Subaru B9 Tribeca complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 145 complaints, 9 report a crash, 12 a fire, 8 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Subaru models

8 models · most complaints first

The Subaru models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Subaru VIN decoder with every Subaru model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Subaru models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.