2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Suspension3
2. Air bags3
3. Structure3
4. Fuel system, gasoline2
5. Tires2
6. Latches/locks/linkages2
7. Service brakes2
8. Wheels1
9. Electronic stability control (esc)1
10. Engine and engine cooling1

Latest complaints

• Sep 12, 2025IL200,000 miFire1 injury
  Fuel system, gasoline
  The contact owns a 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The contact stated that upon extending her hand underneath the…

  The contact owns a 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The contact stated that upon extending her hand underneath the vehicle by the middle section of the hood, the fluid dripped onto the contact's hand, and the contact became aware that it was fuel dripping. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the fuel stop dripping. The contact stated that upon pulling into a store parking lot two days later, bystanders alerted the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that prior to the fire, the contact had noticed black colored smoke coming from the vehicle while driving; however, the contact assumed that the smoke was coming from a Diesel truck that was in front of the vehicle. The contact stated that bystanders assisted in extinguishing the fire with water and a fire extinguisher. The fire department later arrived at the scene but a fire report was not filed. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that she sustained burns on both hands, and the skin came off the right hand's knuckles, but the contact did not seek medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where it remained. The vehicle was inspected by several independent mechanics who determined that the fire was caused by a defective fuel line. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

• Dec 5, 2022IN
  Service brakes
  After starting the vehicle in sub freezing temperatures the brakes would not work. After applying extreme pressure it was found that the brake would operate but without any power assist. The error "er bb" was displayed on the instrument panel. After applying the brakes several times, the power…

  After starting the vehicle in sub freezing temperatures the brakes would not work. After applying extreme pressure it was found that the brake would operate but without any power assist. The error "er bb" was displayed on the instrument panel. After applying the brakes several times, the power assist started working and braking was normal again. This condition has repeated several times after the vehicle sits in sub freezing temperatures for a period of time. I believe this may be caused by a frozen check valve in the vacuum line to the brake booster.

• Mar 7, 2022UT
  Tires
  255/55R18 After 2 weeks of driving on new tires my tire light would not turn off. I have taken my vehicle back to dealer to repair issue multiple times only to have the same thing happen. After 1 year of driving on this tire the sidewalls are cracked to the point the DOT# is illegible. Tires should…

  255/55R18 After 2 weeks of driving on new tires my tire light would not turn off. I have taken my vehicle back to dealer to repair issue multiple times only to have the same thing happen. After 1 year of driving on this tire the sidewalls are cracked to the point the DOT# is illegible. Tires should last longer than 7500 miles and 1 year. I have attempted to have the place of business I made the purchase from fix the issue with no luck. They said if the tire is not on the "Recall" list they would do nothing.

• Mar 4, 2022MI93,507 mi
  Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
  The contact owns a 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front hood erroneously opened and slammed into the front windshield causing the windshield to shatter. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…

  The contact owns a 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front hood erroneously opened and slammed into the front windshield causing the windshield to shatter. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V060000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,507.

• Mar 6, 2019NE
  Air bags · Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch · Structure › Body · Unknown or other

  The latch on the front hood IS broken it will not close and when I drive on the interstate going to work I feel like the hood IS going to fly open. also the gas door latch IS broken as well it will not open when you pull the gas door latch. I was told by credit karma that the driver and passenger air bag are both defective in motion on city and highway street

• Mar 7, 2017MA90,000 mi
  Structure › Body

  While driving on interstate 95 approximately 65 mph, the hood suddenly opened causing damage to the hood, roof and shattering the windshield covering myself wife and kids with glass. I could not see, but was able to bring the car to a controlled stop in the break down lane. I subsequently found out about the hood latch recall. I have been in contact with subaru and my insurance company.

• Dec 2, 2016AL
  Air bags
  TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 subaru B9 tribeca. The contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags) was received. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the part needed for the recall…

  TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 subaru B9 tribeca. The contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags) was received. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the part needed for the recall remedy was still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

• Aug 2, 2016TN
  Air bags

  TL* the contact owns a 2008 subaru B9 tribeca. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v359000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

• Jan 22, 2013CO50,150 mi
  Service brakes
  Backing out of garage during cold weather below freezing, stepped on brake pedal and no response from the brake system. was unable to stop car until I pumped brakes frantically many times. left car out during below freezing weather 2 more times, same problem--no brakes. vacuum assist for…

  Backing out of garage during cold weather below freezing, stepped on brake pedal and no response from the brake system. was unable to stop car until I pumped brakes frantically many times. left car out during below freezing weather 2 more times, same problem--no brakes. vacuum assist for brakes would not work in below freezing weather. took car to subaru dealer, all 3 vacuum hose brakes replaced. dealer states that each hose has a check valve in it for the vacuum system. fortunately we discovered this problem at a very low rate of speed. no vacuum assist for the brakes makes this car virtually unstoppable at almost any speed. what if it would have been on a mountain road?? death would be eminent. I feel this should be under recall before someone IS killed or maimed. *tr

• Dec 26, 2012MD50,000 mi
  Structure › Body
  I was driving my 2008 subaru tribeca with my family in the car on I-70 east near baltimore in the middle lane when the hood of the car opened smashing into the windshield. Both the hood and the windshield were damaged. The incident happened 35 minutes after the start of the trip. there were no…

  I was driving my 2008 subaru tribeca with my family in the car on I-70 east near baltimore in the middle lane when the hood of the car opened smashing into the windshield. Both the hood and the windshield were damaged. The incident happened 35 minutes after the start of the trip. there were no bumps on the road and no other vehicles were involved in the incident. The hood was last opened by a subaru mechanic during an oil change about 2 months prior to the incident. No similar problems occurred prior to the incident. There was no indication that the hood was not properly closed. Furthermore, the second safety latch didn't appear to have worked even if the first gave way. Subaru was contacted and I was told this was an insurance issue as they claimed there were no recalls (even though I insisted that no recalls was no indication that this was not either a manufacturing or a design defect. *tr

• Jul 10, 2012TX51,300 mi
  Suspension
  This accident occurs in queretaro, MX. I was driven in a secondary road and suddenly my subaru tribeca 2008 turned right and for a while I lose the control. after few seconds I could drive my car forward and stopped it outroad. the specialized analysis determined that the left lateral link was…

  This accident occurs in queretaro, MX. I was driven in a secondary road and suddenly my subaru tribeca 2008 turned right and for a while I lose the control. after few seconds I could drive my car forward and stopped it outroad. the specialized analysis determined that the left lateral link was broken. this lateral link was replaced in march 2012 because another accident in which the rear left suspension was broken and all pieces that compound the rear suspension were replaced too. the agency IS waiting for a new laterar link and I'm worried about the quality of the piece. fortunately this accident don't produce fatal victims. but it could... *Tr

• Jun 18, 2012CA100,800 mi
  Steering · Suspension · Wheels
  It was around 8:00pm. I was driving in light traffic around 25 mph heading west on alondra bl crossing downey ave in the city of paramount, when all of a sudden I heard screeching and the rear of the car started swaying side to side. I stepped on the breaks and the rear end of the car started…

  It was around 8:00pm. I was driving in light traffic around 25 mph heading west on alondra bl crossing downey ave in the city of paramount, when all of a sudden I heard screeching and the rear of the car started swaying side to side. I stepped on the breaks and the rear end of the car started turning to the left going in to the left lane. Cars on the left lane had to slam on the breaks to avoid colliding with me. I was able to slowly pull over to the side of the road. I called a mechanic, after inspecting the car he informed me that the suspension control arm on the rear driver side broke. He also said it could have been a lot worst if I was going faster, I can only imagine what the consequences could have been if I was driving on the freeway. I googled recall 20250xa060 (part number). I don't speak portuguese but it looks to me like that part has been recalled in brazil. *Tr

• Dec 1, 2008CT35 mi
  Fuel system, gasoline
  We are writing you out of desperation as we recently purchased a 2008 subaru tribeca from center subaru that we cannot use for family use because the vehicle makes us ill when we are in it. to give you some background, we noticed upon test driving the vehicle that it produced a pressure…

  We are writing you out of desperation as we recently purchased a 2008 subaru tribeca from center subaru that we cannot use for family use because the vehicle makes us ill when we are in it. to give you some background, we noticed upon test driving the vehicle that it produced a pressure sensation in our ears while driving, but we attributed it to the weather conditions that day as it was raining and we often experience allergies on rainy days. we brought this feeling we were having to the attention of the salesman and sales manager at center subaru and they both said they had never heard of this before and that it might be caused by the wrapping on the new vehicle. so convinced this was not something that could possibly be brought on by a vehicle, we purchased the vehicle and that was the beginning of our problems. upon driving the vehicle the first week of owning it our ears continued to worsen leaving us with a constant pressure feeling reducing our ability to hear and function properly. we both needed to get some relief from this feeling so we visited our doctor who examined both our nose and ears and said that our ears were indeed blocked and we were suffering from eustachian tube dysfunction brought on by an allergic reaction from something we had inhaled. he prescribed us both nasal sprays to help clear the congestion out of the ears and told us that the only way the nasal spray would truly help us was if we avoided contact with the allergen. for myself the problem has subsided as I have stayed out of the vehicle since purchasing it, but for my husband he IS still suffering as he has had to drive this vehicle to and from work since we only have two vehicles in our household. this thus proving that the vehicle IS the source of the allergen. dealer & subaru are not helping can you please help us? *Tr

• Sep 15, 2008PA1,600 mi
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine

  I have a 2008 subaru tribeca. Bought brand new and now has appx. 7500 miles on it. From about the 1,600 mile mark on the vehicle, it has been burning 1 qt. Of oil every 1,000 miles. Engine problems because there are no leaks under the car. *Tr

• Feb 12, 2008PA3,600 mi
  Suspension · Tires
  The vehicle IS a 2008 subaru tribeca limited 5-passenger with remote start. the vehicle was purchase at a primary subaru dealer in our local area, as a demo with 1,500 miles on it (manager at the dealer was driving it at the time). the vehicle at first didn't make any noticeable noises or…

  The vehicle IS a 2008 subaru tribeca limited 5-passenger with remote start. the vehicle was purchase at a primary subaru dealer in our local area, as a demo with 1,500 miles on it (manager at the dealer was driving it at the time). the vehicle at first didn't make any noticeable noises or vibrations (seemed factory new, flawless). after a month of normal driving a noise from the passenger side suspension components or undercarriage area would make a rumbling or low squeaking/rubbing. shortly after, I made it clear on our 4,500 mile oil change service that this issue was present and was affecting me as a consumer to enjoy my new car. the problem was originally overlooked by all the persons I had asked to take a look at it (dealer manager, used car specialist and shop mechanic) after a second attempt of leaving the vehicle at the dealership for 2 days, they discovered the issue I was trying to explain to be the problem and came back saying the following. that a new(with zero miles) tribeca with similar trim and package would make the same noise as my vehicle as well as another used tribeca that was on the lot that the manager was driving as another demo model for the dealership. the noise would occur at any speed and especially when the body of the car would move or shift weight and the suspension components were demanded. times at which the noise would occur were the following: speed bumps, taking turns, backing up, pulling away from an intersection on a green light with or without aggressiveness. at the time, nothing was done to eliminate the noise or the cause and source of the issue, other than lubricate the strut. however, when it rains, due to the moisture which causes the dampness in the part(s) making the noise for some time until it dries up again. *tr

• Jan 20, 2008FL1,700 miCrash
  Electronic stability control (esc) · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  I was driving 70 mph on the right most northbound lane of I-75 at mile marker 452 in florida. the road had become wet from recent rain. the rear of my car suddenly started fishtailing to the right. the fishtail evolved into full-blown counterclockwise spins which took the car all the way to the…

  I was driving 70 mph on the right most northbound lane of I-75 at mile marker 452 in florida. the road had become wet from recent rain. the rear of my car suddenly started fishtailing to the right. the fishtail evolved into full-blown counterclockwise spins which took the car all the way to the guardrail in the middle shoulder. the impact resulted in the car being totaled. I believe a defect with the ABS, electronic stability control system or the all wheel drive caused the accident. the road was perfectly straight, and I didn't apply the brakes or make any sudden steering changes. I reported the incident to subaru and asked for an investigation of the wrecked car. despite three letters and a complete report, the company refused to inspect the car. *tr

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 11010925This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs.
• 11009701This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale.
• 11009685This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
• 11008283This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer.
• 11008282This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
• 11008281This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
• 11008280This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries.
• 11008279This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
• 11008276The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units.
• 11008267This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter.
• 11008259This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
• 11006935This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure for 2025MY vehicles.
• 11006934The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
• 11006932This Service Information Bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when the Data Communication Module (DCM) is being tested as a dark current/standby current source.
• 11006931This Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16.
• 11005624This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
• 11005615This announcement provides information for retailers to install the latest infotainment system software for Denso CP 1.5.
• 11005614This bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when testing the Data Communication Module (DCM) as a dark current/standby current source. All models equipped with Telematics except Solterra.
• 11005609This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
• 11005608This thermo control valve video contains information on the replacement of thermo control valve.
• 11005599This Bulletin provides SOA paint codes to help eliminate possible confusion for 2025 MY vehicles.
• 11005595This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
• 11005593This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
• 11002730This information announces reprograming file availability for Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation systems. Inprovement for CarPlay concerns with hands-free calls when the receiving party is not able to hear the caller.
• 11002725This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
• 10241801The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
• 10232879Replacement Key and Immobilizer info
• 10232868Optional Genuine Subaru Puddle Lights
• 10232535Replacement Key and Immobilizer Info
• 10219492This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
• 10219491This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
• 10209915This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
• 10198758This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
• 10198749This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
• 10187315To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
• 10186348The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information.
• 10179378Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
• 10174543All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
• 10163525This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the brake pad installation procedures found in the related Service Manuals.
• 10161827Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain vehicles in the ranges listed below to inspect and potentially replace the ignition switch. A total of 511 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall.

Every Subaru B9 Tribeca model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.