2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Subaru › B9 Tribeca › 2012
These records cover every 2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
7 recalls name the 2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca. Newest first.
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)…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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)…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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).
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
4 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train
Vehicle had been on the highway for about 20 minutes when the transmission temperature light and other warning lights came on. Pulled off the highway and checked transmission fluid level and temp, all were normal. Pulled away and the engine reved up then banged into gear. Drove normally for several…
Vehicle had been on the highway for about 20 minutes when the transmission temperature light and other warning lights came on. Pulled off the highway and checked transmission fluid level and temp, all were normal. Pulled away and the engine reved up then banged into gear. Drove normally for several miles. The warning lights went off. Drove the next day and for several days with no incidence. Occurred again when on the highway the next week. On the subaru owners forum found several other owners with similar problems. They stated that the subaru dealers called it a known issue with the 5EAT transmission. The vehicle only has 59,000 miles. Dealer solution IS a $2000 valve body. Drives normally for short distances and at slower speeds. when the problem occurs no power IS transmitted to the wheels. Unsafe situation.
- Power train
2012 subaru tribeca- torque converter failure known issue on subaru cars from that year, recall/extended repair doesn't cover model. car stalls when automatic transmission downshifts. started as strong hesitation and progressed rapidly to unpredictable/sudden stalling. happened at both high…
2012 subaru tribeca- torque converter failure known issue on subaru cars from that year, recall/extended repair doesn't cover model. car stalls when automatic transmission downshifts. started as strong hesitation and progressed rapidly to unpredictable/sudden stalling. happened at both high speeds on highway and at slow speeds in traffic. results in total engine shut down and requires time for engine restart. highly dangerous. Occurs randomly and without warning. Crash hazard. first issue 9/28. Total stall on major highway 9/30. Cannot be driven without stall. two attempted repairs before identified. subaru dealer confirmed known issue for that year but has not been sufficiently reported for this car to help cover repair. repair estimated at $5000 to replace part and rebuild transmission.
- Engine · Exterior lighting · Structure › Body › Door
TL* the contact owns a 2012 subaru tribeca. While parked, the front driver and passenger side doors failed to open from inside the vehicle. There was also an oil leak under the vehicle and the headlights and brake light bulbs were replaced several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it…
TL* the contact owns a 2012 subaru tribeca. While parked, the front driver and passenger side doors failed to open from inside the vehicle. There was also an oil leak under the vehicle and the headlights and brake light bulbs were replaced several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with an oil and head gasket leak. There was no diagnosis for the doors not being able to open and the frequent bulb outages. The vehicle was repaired for the oil and head gasket leak. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Steering
Subaru tribeca 2012 IS only 3 years and 7 month old. Was purchased new for $41,000 for best safety features, and fuel economy. My car never was in accident, not driven to the mountains or harsh weather condition. Only 43000 miles. has many issues with electrical, oil leak, steering wheel. after…
Subaru tribeca 2012 IS only 3 years and 7 month old. Was purchased new for $41,000 for best safety features, and fuel economy. My car never was in accident, not driven to the mountains or harsh weather condition. Only 43000 miles. has many issues with electrical, oil leak, steering wheel. after driving, on the short stop (drop off or pick up kids), in shifting to p position, the front right/left doors frequently not unlocked. Even with a manual unlock button to the driver left side panel. So, in the case of emergency, it may be a problem to get out from the front seat. in 2014 -2015 had already issue with front headlights that was replaced 3 times the same part, and 2 times was replaced the same break lights. 2015 left side window the motor broke. subaru auto nation mazda garage charged $2,473 to replace both headgaskets leaking, timing cover. steering wheel has a balance issue. I replaced battery. front tire tread IS 0 nds, back 5 nds. And I can't replace just 2 front, I have to replace all tires at once. has very insufficient fuel usage. additional storage space at the rear of driver seats IS a manufacture defect. It was fixed in 2015 and ripped again in 2 weeks. It's always breaks down something. I came to replace just a battery and end up paying to the garage $3,225.65
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.
- 10248224SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain Subaru vehicles listed, equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger side frontal airbag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (certain specific vehicles only).
- 10241801The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
- 10235894Revision to Troubleshooting Information for VDC DTC C0071
- 10235882Optional Genuine Subaru Puddle Lights
- 10235881Preliminary Inspection and Repair Procedure for Puddle Light Campaign WQE-41
- 10235852Service Manual Corrections
- 10235835Inspection Procedure for AT Oil Temperature Warning Lamp Flashing
- 10234921Exchange Component Identification and prcedures
- 10234852Exchange Component Identification and procedures
- 10234840Correction to Diagnostics for 5AT-Related DTCs
- 10234289ECM reprogramming
- 10234274DTC P0456 Reprogramming File Availability
- 10234269If you encounter a vehicle which has P0128 stored in memory, it may be caused by a very slight variation in coolant temperature between the left and right cylinder bank.
- 10234262AT Oil Temperature Warning Lamp Flashing
- 10233145WQE-41 Campaign ? Component Part Update
Every Subaru B9 Tribeca model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.