- The problem
- 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. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
- The risk
- The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Vehicle safety record
2007 Subaru Tribeca Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 30 complaints about the 2007 Subaru Tribeca with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (8) and the electrical system (8). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury. It is covered by 8 recalls, the latest in April 2019 for the switch. For comparison, the 2006 has 93 and the 2008 has 30.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Tribeca year, for its age
#190 most complained-about 2007 vehicle
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2007 Subaru Tribeca problems
Share of all 30 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2007 Subaru Tribeca recalls 8
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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, 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 front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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, 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-17.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." 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.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16V-358 for Zone A.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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).
- The problem
- 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).
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
30 complaints about the 2007 Subaru Tribeca
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
The contact owns a 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was running but continued to randomly shutdown. While at a stop light, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V297000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined the failure was due to...
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the ignition. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no recall coverage for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Sudden Unintended Acceleration: While driving up the inclining driveway to my Dr. office for my Covid vaccine, all of a sudden, my car accelerated as if someone stomped on my gas pedal! Had I not turned right into the parking lot, I would have crashed, head-on into a stone retaining wall. I pushed on the brakes to slow down and stop as I was steering my car into a parking space. This was a terrifying experience for which I had zero control. My car continued to propel forward and surge with such power that it plowed...
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into a "safely parking Boulder" which rolled down the hill. This caused my car to go airborne off a steep embankment, sideswiped a tree (airborne), landed on another part of the driveway and continued to propel forward and part way back up the hill! All this occurred while my foot was on the brake pedal! It is a miracle that I am alive and that I didn't injure or kill someone in the process. I was wearing my seatbelt and my dog were in the car. They appear to me ok. However, neither of the airbags deployed! I am again grateful to be alive. My car was totaled, but I would not feel safe even if it were repaired. I survived this time, but maybe not the next time. I definitely want this documented for safety purposes! Thank you!
We were sold a car that had the odometer miles setback 101,000 miles back. Moved from 211,000 to 110,000. Refusing to take back the car.
Recently, my vehicle was found to have a rusted fuel filler neck. The rusting is toward to "top", well away from road salt and water. The problem is causing fuel fumes to escape, including directly into the passenger compartment. In my case, a full tank of fuel causes the interior fumes to be so strong that the car can not be driven. A search for a replacement filler neck showed the part is on national back-order, leading one to suspect that the problem is common.
Car has fuel fumes very strong smelling in car. I look on this as a safety problem for me and the kids travelling in my car. But I guess people has to die first before any action is taken like the boeing airlines. The car is overheating and tgey cannot tell you why it is doing it.
Serious, health hazard and a very dangerous problem arise with my smelling gasoline in the interior of car. It happens when tank is full and as soon as it drops to about 3/4 it stops, imagine the tank is full and the fumes are saturated in the car. The smell is overwhelming.Even with the windows cracked. Very very dangerous. Why is there not a recall when on line a large population of people has the problem. Or does a couple cars have to explode with the gasoline issue before a recall is done. This needs immediate attention. Thanks as long as the tank is full it smells whether it is parked or moving. Would be afraid to go on highway for fear of explosion.
Three days ago I backed my 2007 subaru tribeca down the driveway and applied the brakes.....They did not work and the brake pedal did not depress. After pumping the brakes for about two minutes or more they finally started to work. I told my wife and she insisted that she told me about this happened every winter when the temperature was below 25 degrees. I guess I never listened to her. I took the car to the local dealer in schaumburg and he stated that this was a typical problem with the 2007 tribeca and I...
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would waste my money trying to fix the problem. I called subaru and they told me to bring the car back to the dealer and that he would discuss the problem with the dealer. The next day I took the car in and never received a call from either the dealer or subaru. I called subaru and they stated that they could only fix the problem if the dealer mechanic experts recommended a fix. I then checked on line and found that this was a typical problem with tribeca, that many people had this same problem with a freezing check valve going to the booster pump. This is a serious and dangerous problem and there should be some sort of fix. I have found other people with the same problem, please see link:http://www.Carproblemzoo.Com/subaru/tribeca/service-brakes-problems.Phphttp://my.Cardone.Com/techdocs/pt%2053-0002.Pdf please see brake section in this link: http://www.Arfc.Org/complaints/2008/subaru/b9_tribeca/
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 subaru b9 tribeca. While driving approximately 60 mph, the hood opened unexpectedly and shattered the windshield. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was called a few times, but the line was busy. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 17v016000 (air bags) and 16v060000 (structure, latches/locks/linkages). The failure mileage was 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 subaru b9 tribeca. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags) for the front passenger inflator. 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 manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
"Takata recall" I purchased this car because of the options. One being the passenger seat can be adjusted for my handicap passenger. Since july 2016 I have not been using this feature due to the possibility of it being hazardous if it was to inflate. But my handicap passenger finds it difficult to access the car's backseat.. May can be done to have this be put on a priority list. This car also needed to be repair for the other recall involving the hood lock and catch. Luckily the accident was not fatal. But I was without a car for 2 months. So, this is my complaint . *Tr
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 subaru b9 tribeca. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v060000 (latches/locks/linkages, structure) and 16v358000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 subaru b9 tribeca. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v359000 (air bags) and 16v060000 (latches/locks and linkages, structure). The parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available and parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 subaru tribeca. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v096000 (seat belts); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 09/28/16*lj *tr
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 subaru tribeca. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. 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 vin was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
While driving we smelt something burning, I pulled over to inspect under the car and saw smoke coming from there. I went under and saw that there was liquid covering the catalytic converter, I wiped down as much as I could and drove to my mechanic. He put the car on the lift and we traced to where to liquid was coming from. It went to the front left axle boot, it was ruptured causing grease to be thrown on the hot catalytic converter causing the smoke. This could have evolved into a fire if I had not immediately stopped driving and wiped down the converter. We had to change the complete axle and boot assembly. Update 9/15/15*cw updated 11/16/2017*cn
I was driving my 2007 subaru tribeca b9 to work on the freeway at 65mph when the hood flew open and shattered my windshield. I was in heavy rush hour traffic on a 4 lane major interstate. I could not see at all. I was in one of the middle lanes and nearly caused a major accident with an 18-wheeler that was behind me and had to lock up his brakes to avoid crashing into me. I see there are several complaints of this issue and there should have been a recall to repair this item. I have been a huge subaru fan for many years and this is the 3rd....And last one....For me.
Front low beam headlights burn out constantly. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 subaru tribeca. The contact noticed exhaust fumes multiple times when the engine was started. The dealer stated that the valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 107,747.
While driving on an interstate highway at ~55 mph, heard a metallic noise, three indicators went on, smell burnt rubber. A steering wheel stopped operating properly and would turn only when applying much effort. Lucky to be in the right lane and be able to gradually pull off without causing an incident. The incident might have been life threatening, taking into account high speeds and heavy trucks on the road. Was able to reach to the nearest subaru service. The problem: pulleys, drive belts, tensioners broke...
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due to wear and tear. Due to the vehicle engineering design, this problem causes non-responsiveness of the steering wheel. The vehicle has ~90k miles and has been operated in a city conditions. Technician said this problem happened with other vehicles of this model; these parts are not normally inspected during regular maintenance and thus are impossible to be detected. Thus, the parts that broke have limited lifespan which makes the vehicle dangerous to operate. Contacted subaru -- they say it is beyond the original warranty of 3 yrs / 36 th.Miles and the life expectancy of any part is unknown. Does it mean the subaru's safety pledge is also valid for the time of the original warranty?? *Tr
I was driving my 07 subaru tribeca on a busy city street, at about 35 miles per hour, when multiple red lights came up and I could not turn the steering wheel. It was not locked, but it required significant effort to move it even a few inched to the left or right. It was extreemely stressful to be stuck in the middle of a busy avenue without any control over your vechicle. The repair shop came up with the following list of broken parts: belt tensioner, idler pulley, 2 bolts and an ac bracket. The total bill for...
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the parts and labor was $780. I have been driving my car on highways and city streets only, never took it off the road. The car is only 5 years old with 58k miles on it. I don't understand how such an extensive damage to the car parts could happen other then that it is faulty. Is subaru considering a recall for the above mentioned parts? Thank you. *Tr
While driving this car it constantly loses acceleration. It will have no power then lurch forward and rev. It idles, lurches, and then has no acceleration. I have also replaced the sway bar bearings twice in this car as well as 2 oxygen sensors, and catalytic converter. The deal still cant fix the problem even with the service codes. This car is a danger and a safety issue. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 subaru tribeca. While driving at 10 mph, the dashboard components briefly illuminated and failed. The contact parked the vehicle and the vehicle then caught on fire. A fire report was available. The contact could not confirm why or where the fire originated from. The manufacturer was not contacted. The fire damage was being handled by the contact's insurance company. The vin was not available. The current and failure mileage was 57,000.
While driving the motor stopped, the check engine light came on and the vehicle?S speed slowed dramatically, steering the disabled vehicle became almost impossible; a potential accident was avoided. The vehicle was towed to closest dealer. The dealer quoted an estimate of $2300 to tear down the motor to diagnose the problem. The vehicle has 29,000 miles and the warranty has extended coverage to 84,000 miles at a cost of $1288. Subaru of america was contacted to express dissatisfaction with the dealership; the...
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customer service representative asked me to fax maintenance records for the vehicle. The documents were faxed at 2:00am on wednesday august 13, 2008. On august 14th I contacted subaru of america for a status update on the vehicle; the representative handling my case had left for the day so I requested a call back the next day. No response was received. Subaru of america has not conformed to their warranty obligations, stating neglect of owner may have caused the motor failure. Hard fact, a vehicle driven under normal conditions whose motor fails without warning (no signals from the onboard diagnosis system-another possible defect, or warning sounds from the motor) with 29,000 equates to component of failure of the motor or electrical component. The motor is not ceased; it turns over with the ignition key. *Tr
On april 24, 2008, while driving on interstate 84 and then on the mass pike the car lost acceleration twice (gas peddle had no acceleration). The car (subaru tribeca 2007) did regain power within some seconds both times, while driving on the streets of brookline, ma (beacon street) later that afternoon the car died and would not start. Contacted subaru roadside assistance (car under new car warranty). The car was towed to their nearest dealer in belmont, ma and arrived there at 5:00 pm on 4/24. The car has...
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been at the dealer being worked on (it is claimed) since that time (5/24 to today 5/5/08 and while the dealer claims to have replaced several parts they have not been able to repair the car. The service manager claims it is an electrical problem. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 subaru b9 tribeca. The contact stated that the vehicle became engulfed in flames while driving 35 mph. The vehicle was destroyed. He stated that the electrical trunk latch was not working properly prior to the fire. A police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer had not been notified. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 12,400.
Subaru Tribeca: every year compared
All Tribeca years2007 Subaru Tribeca vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Subaru Tribeca | 30 | 8 | D | |
| 2007 Subaru Outback | 131 | 8 | B | Compare |
| 2007 Subaru Forester | 74 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 2007 Subaru Impreza | 68 | 9 | C | Compare |
| 2007 Subaru Legacy | 33 | 9 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2007 Subaru Tribeca
Does the 2007 Subaru Tribeca have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2007 Subaru Tribeca: switch (April 2019); inflator module (January 2017); inflator module (January 2017); inflator module (January 2017) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Subaru Tribeca?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (8), electrical system (8), engine & cooling (6).
How many complaints has the 2007 Subaru Tribeca had?
30 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 26, 2007 and the latest on November 26, 2024. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 2007 Subaru Tribeca a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 34 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Subaru Tribeca year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Subaru Tribeca years have the most complaints?
2006 (93), 2007 (30), 2008 (30). See every Subaru Tribeca year compared.
What should I do if my 2007 Subaru Tribeca has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data