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Engine & cooling

Subaru Tribeca Engine problems by year

20 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Tribeca's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20131000
20121000
20092000
20083000
20076000
20067000

Latest Tribeca engine complaints

2007 Subaru TribecaElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11627529
2006 Subaru TribecaEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11423228
2006 Subaru TribecaElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11352535
2006 Subaru TribecaEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11316021
2007 Subaru TribecaElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11205104
2013 Subaru TribecaEngine & cooling

Subaru of america class action law suit hello I own a 2013 subaru tribeca with vin [[redacted]] that has recently lost all the engine oil and no warning light illuminated alerting me the vehicle was low or had no oil. This vehicle was just in the subaru service department from 1/301/9-2/5/19 for loss of engine power and a reported belt break at highway rate of speed requiring it to be towed. Subsequently in 2/25/19, I noticed my car making a "knocking" noise and someone asked if I had checked the oil and I had...

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not because 1. It was just in for service with a multi-point inspection by a subaru certified tech noting they had topped my oil and secondarily because I had no warming lights to alert me of such incidence. Additionally, there was no evidence of an oil leak in my garage or parking spot at work. I proceeded to add 5 quarts of oil until it was able to be registered on the dip stick. I later lost power and required to be towed into the subaru dealer-lou fusz st. Peters, missouri (636-397-2012). I have been conversing with subaru america and st peters service manager regarding this matter and they are willing to offer a friends and family incentive of 1500. I found this to be unacceptable so I proceeded to contact the mayor of st peters, missouri; missouri attorney general, better business bureau and our local news channel that investigates issue like this one. It was the new station that alerted me to this class action law suit filed by your firm. My vehicle falls within the year of the class action law suit but not the model. Perhaps because there were no claims made to date regarding this subaru model. Both occurrences, vehicle stalled on highway at highway speed requiring towing after stall. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11185480
2009 Subaru TribecaElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Problem 1. While driving on the interstate highway car lost power, stalled and shut off. The gas guage was on a 1/4 of tan of gasoline, miles guage read 100 miles. I was able to coast to the side of the road. Thanks god, I near the next exit. I was able to restart my car after about ten minute and went to the nearest gas station. This have happen to me twice on the interstate highway so I try not let the gas guage fall below 1/4 tank because the sensor are not register correct. I have take my car to subaru...

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dealer in jackson, ms 3 times they can find the problem. I travel the interstate highway daily to work, usually drive in the outer left or right lane so if my car cut off I will be able to coast off to the side of the road not at ran over. I took video picture of the guage reading to show to the subaru dealer on my cell phone. Problem 2. Temperature gauge read the car is running hot while driving and sitting at stop light. The gauge randomly moves up and down while driving. I had take my car to subaru of jackson twice about this problem. They keep may car for about a week could not get it to replicate the problem. I have replace my radiator and thermostat but that did not correct the issues. Since subaru can not find what is wrong with my vehicle I don't know what else to do. Problem 3: low tire pressure sensor light randomly flash on and off while driving then stays on. I have had the tire pressure check several times. Pressure is fine on all tires. .

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11150703
2012 Subaru TribecaLightsBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru tribeca. While parked, the front driver and passenger side doors failed to open from inside the vehicle. There was also an oil leak under the vehicle and the headlights and brake light bulbs were replaced several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with an oil and head gasket leak. There was no diagnosis for the doors not being able to open and the frequent bulb outages. The vehicle was repaired for the oil and head gasket leak. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10967375
2009 Subaru TribecaEngine & coolingFuel system

I am in the military currently stationed overseas, in italy, and we noticed that the car I bought in 2015 has been releasing gas fumes on cold morning, that will last no more than 3 minutes, noticeably when the engine is warmed up. We never noticed this happening on warm season. Strong gas smell comes in through the ac vents when the circulation is open and/or in defogger mode. No gas smell in engine bay but rather the gas smell is strong on the exhaust pipes.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10954309
2007 Subaru TribecaEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10621346
2006 Subaru TribecaEngine & cooling

Faulty and or deficient part: 'pipe oil cooler' part # 21328aa121 (part is a 11" x 3/4" (thin) metal tube that connects from lower driver's side of the engine, traverses the underside of the engine and connects to the base of the oil filter mount through the use of rubber hoses that transports engine coolant.) Vehicle was observed to be overheating. Upon personal inspection of the underside of the vehicle, and only upon removing the large plastic splash guard from under the engine compartment it was observed...

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that the above listed part had developed extensive corrosion, principally where two brackets are welded to the subject coolant tube. The tube adjacent one of these welds had corroded to the point that engine coolant was allowed to leak out and cause the overheating situation. Had this occurred on the highway (and not in my driveway) this could have caused the vehicle to overheat and stop in traffic creating a hazardous situation. Catastrophic engine failure could also occur. Note, the pipe is made of thin and apparently easily corrosive material. The location of the coolant pipe is underneath the splash shield where it can not be viewed unless the shield is removed, allowing for the deterioration to continue unnoticed. Writer believes the subject part was inadequately made to stand up to corrosive conditions found on the underside of the vehicle causing a potentially hazardous situation and should be replaced with a more resistant material to corrosion. P.S. To nhtsa; I have and will provide photographs of the faulty part, invoice for the oem replacement part purchased from subaru, and the failed part itself should you decide you want them. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10544145
2008 Subaru TribecaEngine & coolingBody, doors & structureFire

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 subaru tribeca. While driving approximately 45 mph on a road covered with snow an excessive amount of steam expelled from the front end of the vehicle. The steam made it difficult to see and there was a strong burning smell inside of the vehicle. The driver was able to shut the engine off for a few moments, restart and resume normal operation with caution. Upon reaching his destination and inspecting under the hood he observed that the engine compartment exhibited massive snow,the belts...

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and rubber hoses were burned. The vehicle was not driven for the remainder of the winter months; yet, the owner's manual indicated the vehicle should not be driven in the snow due to the snow entering the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection; however, there was no resolution. The contact is aware of the safety risk. The failure mileage was 4,700 and the current mileage was 5,066. Updated 05/11/09. *Lj updated 05/11/09.*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · StructureNHTSA 10266469
2008 Subaru TribecaEngine & cooling

I have a 2008 subaru tribeca. Bought brand new and now has appx. 7500 Miles on it. From about the 1,600 mile mark on the vehicle, it has been burning 1 qt. Of oil every 1,000 miles. Engine problems because there are no leaks under the car. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10242362

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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