SUBARU B9 TRIBECA · model year

2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA

118 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006SUBARUB9 TRIBECA carries 118 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 14 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 B9 TRIBECA is structure:body with 18 filings, followed by air bags (17) and electrical system (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2006 B9 TRIBECA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

118
Complaints
7
Crashes
14
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

118 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY18
AIR BAGS17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9
VISIBILITY/WIPER8
SERVICE BRAKES6
ENGINE5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
STRUCTURE4
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING2
VISIBILITY2
STEERING2

Recent Complaints

20240123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I have had 3 Subarus in the last 2 years. All 3-a 2006 Subaru Tribeca B9, a 2007 Subaru Tribeca B9, and a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek have had electrical and lighting problems. They all have burnt out headlights, interior lights and fog lights, have loose wiring that has affected the computer and navigation system. 2 of them lost all lighting. The Subaru Crosstrek burnt out all the lights in one incident and the 2007 Subaru Tribeca B9 had an alternator problem that fried all the lights at one time as well as the navigation system. They all have more lights lit on the dash than there should be.

20240123EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I have had 3 Subarus in the last 2 years. All 3-a 2006 Subaru Tribeca B9, a 2007 Subaru Tribeca B9, and a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek have had electrical and lighting problems. They all have burnt out headlights, interior lights and fog lights, have loose wiring that has affected the computer and navigation system. 2 of them lost all lighting. The Subaru Crosstrek burnt out all the lights in one incident and the 2007 Subaru Tribeca B9 had an alternator problem that fried all the lights at one time as well as the navigation system. They all have more lights lit on the dash than there should be.

20240123VISIBILITY/WIPER

I have had 3 Subarus in the last 2 years. All 3-a 2006 Subaru Tribeca B9, a 2007 Subaru Tribeca B9, and a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek have had electrical and lighting problems. They all have burnt out headlights, interior lights and fog lights, have loose wiring that has affected the computer and navigation system. 2 of them lost all lighting. The Subaru Crosstrek burnt out all the lights in one incident and the 2007 Subaru Tribeca B9 had an alternator problem that fried all the lights at one time as well as the navigation system. They all have more lights lit on the dash than there should be.

20210702ENGINE

The contact owns a 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and was unable to be restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.

Mileage: 280,000

20200901ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20200901ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20200724SERVICE BRAKES

JUST PURCHASED

20200724ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

JUST PURCHASED

20200724ENGINE

JUST PURCHASED

20200304ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IMA CITY STREET AND VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED OFF. TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AGAIN AND IT RAN BUT ONCE AGAIN UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED OFF.

Mileage: 220,000

20190930ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MY WHOLE ELECTRIC SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. CLIMATE CONTROL RAIDIO HEATED SEATS ANYTHING ELECTRIC.

20190930ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY WHOLE ELECTRIC SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. CLIMATE CONTROL RAIDIO HEATED SEATS ANYTHING ELECTRIC.

20190617UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HOOD RELEASE CABLE IS BAD AND WILL COMPLETELY BREAK IF NOT REPAIRED SOON! IF THIS BREAKS, IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HOOD.

20190203CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65-70 MPH AND MY HOOD FLEW OPEN STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ME TO DRIVE INTO A GUARD RAIL. CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING NECK AND BACK ISSUES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL.

Mileage: 111,111

20190203CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65-70 MPH AND MY HOOD FLEW OPEN STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ME TO DRIVE INTO A GUARD RAIL. CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING NECK AND BACK ISSUES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL.

Mileage: 111,111

20190203CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65-70 MPH AND MY HOOD FLEW OPEN STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ME TO DRIVE INTO A GUARD RAIL. CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING NECK AND BACK ISSUES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL.

Mileage: 111,111

20181213SEATS

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. ELECTRICAL ADJUSTER BUTTON STOPPED WORKING FOR THE FORWARD POSITION. IT WILL MOVE UP , DOWN & BACKWARD. I WAS OUT OF TOWN & WHEN I STOPPED IN MY DAUGHTERS DRIVEWAY , MOVED THE SEAT BACK, AS MY PHONE SLIPPED UNDER THE SEAT. I WAS HORRIFIED WHEN I COULDN'T MOVE IT BACK. I HAD OVER 150 MILES TO DRIVE BACK HOME. I HAD TO USE SEVERAL PILLOWS TO REACH THE STEERING WHEEL SO I COULD DRIVE BACK HOME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY SUBARU OWNERS OF VARIOUS MODELS AND MAKE YEARS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM , WITH DRIVER SIDE FORWARD SWITCH. I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2016, FROM POWER FORD.

Mileage: 101,000

20180825AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER I HAD MY PASSENGER AIR BAG REPLACED , NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL IT IS AN INTERNAL SHORT SO THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE AIRBAG FOR 860 DOLLARS PLUS LABOR

20180707STRUCTURE:BODY

ON FEBRUARY 23, 2018, THE HOOD LATCH WAS REPAIRED DUE TO A HOOD LATCH RECALL. THIS WAS WITH THE NEW HOOD LATCH. IT WAS FRIDAY JUNE 6, 2018, A LITTLE PAST 0600, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE COUNTY HIGHWAY, DOING BETWEEN 60-65, WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 4 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN,AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. THANKFULLY NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE VICINITY. AFTER I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE I CLOSED THE HOOD, IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT. I NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS NEAR THE END OF A GUARDRAIL AND THERE WAS A GRAVEL AREA, SO I MOVED MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. WHILE I THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT IT WAS RAINING GLASS. I GRABBED MY WORK GEAR AND JUMPED OUT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND I WAS GIVEN A RIDE TO WORK.

Mileage: 143,400

20180707VISIBILITY/WIPER

ON FEBRUARY 23, 2018, THE HOOD LATCH WAS REPAIRED DUE TO A HOOD LATCH RECALL. THIS WAS WITH THE NEW HOOD LATCH. IT WAS FRIDAY JUNE 6, 2018, A LITTLE PAST 0600, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE COUNTY HIGHWAY, DOING BETWEEN 60-65, WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 4 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN,AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. THANKFULLY NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE VICINITY. AFTER I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE I CLOSED THE HOOD, IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT. I NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS NEAR THE END OF A GUARDRAIL AND THERE WAS A GRAVEL AREA, SO I MOVED MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. WHILE I THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT IT WAS RAINING GLASS. I GRABBED MY WORK GEAR AND JUMPED OUT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND I WAS GIVEN A RIDE TO WORK.

Mileage: 143,400

Compare 2006SUBARUB9 TRIBECA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA have?
The 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA has 118 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 14 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA?
The most-complained component for the 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA is STRUCTURE:BODY with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.