2009 SUBARU TRIBECA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
6
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA
The 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA has received a total of 6 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 10 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes (2 complaints), Electrical System (1 complaint), and Electronic Stability Control Esc (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA
NHTSA has recorded 10 recalls for the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA, potentially affecting up to 1,447,680 vehicles.
Recall 18V013000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 93,209 vehicles affected
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback 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...
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 TKB-18.
View full details →Recall 18V012000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 64,179 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
View full details →Recall 18V014000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 72,150 vehicles affected
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback 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...
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 inflators, 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 TKC-18.
View full details →Recall 17V026000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 69,529 vehicles affected
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally 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,...
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 passenger front 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 TKB-17.
View full details →Recall 17V014000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 53,480 vehicles affected
Defect: 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....
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.
View full details →Recall 16V060000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
| 77,017 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
View full details →Recall 16V060000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
| 77,017 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
View full details →Recall 16V358000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 302,127 vehicles affected
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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...
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may...
View full details →Recall 12V602000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 633,842 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
View full details →Recall 08V645000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
| 5,130 vehicles affected
Defect: SUBARU IS RECALLING 5,130 MY 2008-2009 TRIBECA PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) G-SENSOR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS SENSOR IS DESIGNED TO BE MOUNTED IN A FORWARD FACING DIRECTION BUT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED BACKWARDS DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence: IF THE SENSOR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, VEHICLE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS DURING HARD BRAKING, SUDDEN TURNS OR OTHER QUICK MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO REACT IN AN UNEXPECTED MANNER OR RESULT IN UNSTABLE HANDLING. UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VDC G-SENSOR. IF THE SENSOR IS FOUND TO BE INSTALLED CORRECTLY, NO FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED. IF THE SENSOR IS FOUND TO BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY (BACKWARDS), THE SENSOR WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
THE CAR WAS STARTED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON A VERY COLD DAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS INITIALLY ABLE TO BE PRESSED, BUT THEN BECAME ROCK HARD AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED DOWN. AFTER 10 MINUTES OF LETTING THE CAR WARM UP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABLE TO BE PRESSED, BUT THEN SEIZED UP AGAIN 1 MINUTE LATER. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH IF IT OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
I WAS GOING AROUND A BEND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED. I WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE BRAKES. DUE TO THIS BRAKE FAILURE, I DROVE UP ON A HILLSIDE AND SMASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. FEEL THAT THIS IS A MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE CAR WHICH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOCKED INTO PLACE. THE CAR HAD NO KNOWN MECHANICAL ISSUES AND WAS INSPECTED IN JULY 2014. *TR
DRIVING CAR AND IT JOLTED, SHIFT GEAR LIGHTS WENT OUT AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON DASH BOARD, ATT-OIL TEMP, CRUISE CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND SLIPPERY WHEN WET LIGHT, CAR LOST POWER DOWN TO 2-5 MILES PER HOUR. THOUGHT IT WAS TRANSMISSION HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE BY CAPITOL TRANSMISSION IN HARTFORD, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEN THE LIGHTS WENT AWAY DROVE IT AGAIN FOR A WEEK IT JOLTED AGAIN AND LIGHTS BACK ON AGAIN. TOOK IT TO GABE'S TYRE (COUSIN) HE REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE GAGE THINKING IT WAS THAT SINCE THEY HAD ANOTHER ISSUE WITH A SUBARU SIMILAR WITH MY ISSUE, AND THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HE SUGGESTED I TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. COULD NOT DRIVE TO THE CANTON SUBARU TOO FAR SO DROVE IT TO PREMIER SUBARU IN WATERTOWN, CT. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE SEPT. 9TH. THEY HAVE SPOKEN WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA TO HELP THEM TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SHORT, THEY HAVE REPLACED THE 2 DIFFERENT BIG EXPENSIVE PARTS COSTING ME $2, 300 AFTER SUBARU KICKED IN $500 TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST BECAUSE ORIGINAL COST WAS $2950. I PICKED UP CAR LAST NIGHT DROVE IT LESS THAN 3 MILES AND IT JOLTED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND ALL LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I NOTICED THE SHIFT GEAR LIGHTS WERE NEVER FIXED. DROVE CAR BACK UP TO DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING LET THEM KNOW THAT THE CAR IS NOT FIXED AND ALSO TOLD THEM ABOUT THE GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS WERE NOT FIXED WHICH WAS IN MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CAR, ALSO IN MY FIRST COMPLAINT WAS THAT I HAVE BEEN REPLACING HEADLIGHT BULBS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR EVERY 3-6 MONTHS A HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT. I HAD THE HEAT ON THIS MORNING AND NOTICED IT WAS SCORCHING HOT ONLY ON 75 DEGREES SHOULD NOT FEEL LIKE A SAUNA. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ANOTHER SUBARU CAR I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY RECALLS ON LINE FOR THIS. NEED YOUR HELP! *TR
DRIVING CAR AND IT JOLTED, SHIFT GEAR LIGHTS WENT OUT AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON DASH BOARD, ATT-OIL TEMP, CRUISE CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND SLIPPERY WHEN WET LIGHT, CAR LOST POWER DOWN TO 2-5 MILES PER HOUR. THOUGHT IT WAS TRANSMISSION HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE BY CAPITOL TRANSMISSION IN HARTFORD, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEN THE LIGHTS WENT AWAY DROVE IT AGAIN FOR A WEEK IT JOLTED AGAIN AND LIGHTS BACK ON AGAIN. TOOK IT TO GABE'S TYRE (COUSIN) HE REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE GAGE THINKING IT WAS THAT SINCE THEY HAD ANOTHER ISSUE WITH A SUBARU SIMILAR WITH MY ISSUE, AND THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HE SUGGESTED I TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. COULD NOT DRIVE TO THE CANTON SUBARU TOO FAR SO DROVE IT TO PREMIER SUBARU IN WATERTOWN, CT. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE SEPT. 9TH. THEY HAVE SPOKEN WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA TO HELP THEM TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SHORT, THEY HAVE REPLACED THE 2 DIFFERENT BIG EXPENSIVE PARTS COSTING ME $2, 300 AFTER SUBARU KICKED IN $500 TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST BECAUSE ORIGINAL COST WAS $2950. I PICKED UP CAR LAST NIGHT DROVE IT LESS THAN 3 MILES AND IT JOLTED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND ALL LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I NOTICED THE SHIFT GEAR LIGHTS WERE NEVER FIXED. DROVE CAR BACK UP TO DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING LET THEM KNOW THAT THE CAR IS NOT FIXED AND ALSO TOLD THEM ABOUT THE GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS WERE NOT FIXED WHICH WAS IN MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CAR, ALSO IN MY FIRST COMPLAINT WAS THAT I HAVE BEEN REPLACING HEADLIGHT BULBS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR EVERY 3-6 MONTHS A HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT. I HAD THE HEAT ON THIS MORNING AND NOTICED IT WAS SCORCHING HOT ONLY ON 75 DEGREES SHOULD NOT FEEL LIKE A SAUNA. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ANOTHER SUBARU CAR I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY RECALLS ON LINE FOR THIS. NEED YOUR HELP! *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I RESTED MY LEFT FOOT ON THE "FOOTREST" OF THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR AND THE HEEL OF MY SHOE WENT RIGHT THRU THE FLOOR OF MY 2008 SUBARU TRIBECA. I HAD TO TAKE MY FOOT OUT OF THE SHOE TO GET THE SHOE "UNSTUCK". I THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND COULD PULL OVER WHEN IT HAPPENED. WHEN I TOOK THE SHOE OUT I COULD SEE A BLACK WIRE IN THE BACKGROUND AREA. I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL OR SAFE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND HOW I CAN GET THIS REPAIRED. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
WQX-59SA — STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (SUBARU) IS RECALLING ALL 2006]2014 MODEL YEAR SUBARU TRIBECA VEHICLES DUE TO A POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION OF THE HOOD SAFETY SYSTEM AND HOOD LOCK SYSTEM.
WQE41a — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Optional Genuine Subaru Puddle Lights
NHTSA Investigations for the 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU TRIBECA
- 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA — 12 complaints
- 2007 SUBARU TRIBECA — 5 complaints
- 2008 SUBARU TRIBECA — 20 complaints
- 2009 SUBARU TRIBECA (current)
- 2010 SUBARU TRIBECA — 4 complaints
- 2011 SUBARU TRIBECA — 2 complaints
- 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA — 0 complaints
- 2013 SUBARU TRIBECA — 2 complaints
- 2014 SUBARU TRIBECA — 0 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU FORESTER — 8,432 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints