Subaru Tribeca Recalls (2010-2014)
The Subaru Tribeca has been the subject of 11 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2010 to 2014 model years. They cluster mostly around the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and structure.
The Subaru Tribeca scores 59 out of 100 (grade C), a roughly average recall record. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 91% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 0% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 11 campaigns span 5 model years of the Subaru Tribeca. The single largest affected 633,842 vehicles, over exterior lighting. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common Tribeca problems owners report.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Subaru Tribeca may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Subaru Tribeca recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Subaru Tribeca recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2014 Subaru Tribeca Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2014 Subaru Tribeca, involving the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and structure.
2013 Subaru Tribeca Recalls
6 recalls affect the 2013 Subaru Tribeca, involving the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and structure.
2012 Subaru Tribeca Recalls
7 recalls affect the 2012 Subaru Tribeca, involving the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and structure.
2011 Subaru Tribeca Recalls
8 recalls affect the 2011 Subaru Tribeca, involving the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and structure.
2010 Subaru Tribeca Recalls
10 recalls affect the 2010 Subaru Tribeca, involving the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and structure.
Every Subaru Tribeca recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010-2014 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 330,120
- Reported
- Jan 9, 2019
- Owners notified
- Jan 25, 2019
Defect: 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, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
NHTSA campaign number 19V008000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010-2014 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 43,394
- Reported
- Jan 9, 2019
- Owners notified
- Jan 25, 2019
Defect: 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), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
NHTSA campaign number 19V007000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010-2014 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 452,630
- Reported
- Jan 9, 2019
- Owners notified
- Jan 25, 2019
Defect: 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 Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
NHTSA campaign number 19V009000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010-2013 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 64,179
- Reported
- Jan 9, 2018
- Owners notified
- Feb 9, 2018
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 bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
NHTSA campaign number 18V012000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 93,209
- Reported
- Jan 9, 2018
- Owners notified
- Feb 9, 2018
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 bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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 TKB-18.
NHTSA campaign number 18V013000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010-2012 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 53,480
- Reported
- Jan 10, 2017
- Owners notified
- Mar 6, 2017
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. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
NHTSA campaign number 17V014000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010-2011 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 302,127
- Reported
- May 25, 2016
- Owners notified
- Jul 22, 2016
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 Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: 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 contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
NHTSA campaign number 16V358000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
- Affected years
- 2010-2014 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 77,017
- Reported
- Feb 3, 2016
- Owners notified
- Sep 6, 2016
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.
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).
NHTSA campaign number 16V060000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2013 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 202
- Reported
- Aug 1, 2013
- Owners notified
- Aug 13, 2013
Defect: Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R and Outback 3.6R and 2013 Tribeca vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through June 28, 2013 and equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.
Risk: As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.
NHTSA campaign number 13V336000.
Exterior Lighting
- Affected years
- 2010-2012 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 633,842
- Reported
- Dec 26, 2012
- Owners notified
- Feb 19, 2013
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 doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
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.
NHTSA campaign number 12V602000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
- Affected years
- 2010 Subaru Tribeca
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,585
- Reported
- Mar 18, 2010
- Owners notified
- Mar 19, 2010
Defect: SUBARU HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TRIBECA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 8, 2010. THE DOOR LATCH CABLES LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS WERE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED DURING PRODUCTION. AS A RESULT, A CABLE CAN CATCH IN THE DOOR GLASS REGULATOR WHEN A WINDOW IS OPENED OR CLOSED. SHOULD THAT OCCUR, IT MAY UNLATCH THE DOOR, CAUSING IT TO COME OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN RAISING OR LOWERING THE WINDOW.
Risk: IF A DOOR WERE TO UNLATCH, IT COULD OPEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, CREATING A RISK THAT AN OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED AS WELL AS A RISK THAT THE DRIVER MAY BECOME DISTRACTED, LEADING TO A CRASH. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO RESULT IN THE FAILURE OF A DOOR LATCH TO OPERATE, IN WHICH CASE OCCUPANTS WOULD BE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY REPOSITIONING AND SECURING THE LATCH CABLE IN BOTH FRONT DOORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY BETWEEN 8:30 AM AND 7:00 PM EST AND FRIDAY BETWEEN 10:30 AM AND 5:00 PM EST.
NHTSA campaign number 10V108000.
Common questions about Subaru Tribeca recalls
- Does the Subaru Tribeca have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on record for the Subaru Tribeca across the 2010 to 2014 model years. The most common areas are the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and structure.
- How many times has the Subaru Tribeca been recalled?
- The Subaru Tribeca has 11 recall campaigns from the 2010 to 2014 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Subaru Tribeca recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the exterior lighting, affecting 633,842 vehicles. 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.
- Which Subaru Tribeca model year has the most recalls?
- The 2010 Subaru Tribeca has the most, with 10 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Subaru Tribeca has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.