SUBARU TRIBECA · model year

2006 SUBARU TRIBECA

12 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006SUBARUTRIBECA carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 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 TRIBECA is air bags with 5 filings, followed by exterior lighting (2) and seat belts (1). 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. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2006 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.

12
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

12 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
SEAT BELTS1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (8)

12V60200026/12/2012

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 equippe

16V35800025/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,

16V35900025/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentu

19V29700011/04/2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part.

17V02600011/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

17V01600010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, M

17V01400010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, Ha

16V06000003/02/2016

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

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.

Recent Complaints

20170824AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (GRAYSON SUBARU IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. .. ..UPDATED 09/25/17 *BF UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS

20170330AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20161205LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS), 16V060000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20161205AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS), 16V060000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20161205STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS), 16V060000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20150616LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,309....UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2017*CN

Mileage: 104,309

20150610CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND CRASHED BETWEEN TWO TREES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, LEG, AND HIP INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 02/18/16*LJ

Mileage: 90,000

20140726VISIBILITY/WIPER

SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN WINDSHIELD WE HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2088 AND HAVE REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD EACH YEAR OF OWNERSHIP FROM A SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. WE WINDSHIELD WILL BE WHOLE WHEN PARKED AND THE NEXT MORNING IT WILL HAVE A CRACK WHICH ORIGINATES IN THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE CHANGED GLASS COMPANIES MULTIPLE TIMES THINKING THAT IT WAS INSTALLATION ISSUES BUT THE SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN WINDSHIELD CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. WE ARE ON WINDSHIELD #6 OF OUR OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE. POOR WINDSHIELD WIPER DESIGN. WE LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST WHERE WE EXPERIENCE A LONG SNOWY WINTER AND THE WIPERS ICE UP AND CAUSES US TO STOP EVERY 5-10 MILES TO CLEAN THEM OFF. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PRACTICE WITH TRAFFIC IE: SNOWPLOWS AND SEMIS TRAVELING THE ROADS AND A PERSON STANDING BESIDE THEIR VEHICLE EXPOSED. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

20140630CrashSEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S BODY LUNGED FORWARD AND HIS HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS LEFT SHOULDER, RIGHT KNEE, NECK, AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

20140630CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S BODY LUNGED FORWARD AND HIS HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS LEFT SHOULDER, RIGHT KNEE, NECK, AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

20130710EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PUDDLE LIGHTS RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

20130529EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PUDDLE LIGHTS RECALL NOTICE . *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL, WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/08/13

Compare 2006SUBARUTRIBECA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA have?
The 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA has 12 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA?
Yes, the 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA?
The most-complained component for the 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA is AIR BAGS with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and SEAT BELTS.
Is the 2006 SUBARU 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.