2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (2) · Structure:body (2) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru B9 Tribeca model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (108)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 108 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-12 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 200,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2008 subaru b9 tribeca. the contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. additionally, the contact noticed that there was fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle onto the ground. the contact stated that upon extending her hand underneath the vehicle by the middle section of the hood, the fluid dr…”
2022-12-05 · Service Brakes“after starting the vehicle in sub freezing temperatures the brakes would not work. after applying extreme pressure it was found that the brake would operate but without any power assist. the error "er bb" was displayed on the instrument panel. after applying the brakes several times, the power assist started working and braking was normal again. th…”
2022-03-07 · Tires“255/55r18 after 2 weeks of driving on new tires my tire light would not turn off. i have taken my vehicle back to dealer to repair issue multiple times only to have the same thing happen. after 1 year of driving on this tire the sidewalls are cracked to the point the dot# is illegible. tires should last longer than 7500 miles and 1 year. i have att…”
2022-03-04 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch · 93,507 mi“the contact owns a 2008 subaru b9 tribeca. the contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the front hood erroneously opened and slammed into the front windshield causing the windshield to shatter. the cause of the failure was not determined. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was …”
2019-03-06 · Unknown Or Other“the latch on the front hood is broken it will not close and when i drive on the interstate going to work i feel like the hood is going to fly open. also the gas door latch is broken as well it will not open when you pull the gas door latch. i was told by credit karma that the driver and passenger air bag are both defective in motion on city and h…”
2017-03-07 · Structure:body · 90,000 mi“while driving on interstate 95 approximately 65 mph, the hood suddenly opened causing damage to the hood, roof and shattering the windshield covering myself wife and kids with glass. i could not see, but was able to bring the car to a controlled stop in the break down lane. i subsequently found out about the hood latch recall. i have been in con…”
2016-12-02 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2008 subaru b9 tribeca. the contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags) was received. after contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the part needed for the recall remedy was still not available and no estimated tim…”
2016-08-02 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru b9 tribeca. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v359000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. parts distribution disconnect. …”
2013-01-22 · Service Brakes · 50,150 mi“backing out of garage during cold weather below freezing, stepped on brake pedal and no response from the brake system. was unable to stop car until i pumped brakes frantically many times. left car out during below freezing weather 2 more times, same problem--no brakes. vacuum assist for brakes would not work in below freezing weather. took…”
2012-12-26 · Structure:body · 50,000 mi“i was driving my 2008 subaru tribeca with my family in the car on i-70 east near baltimore in the middle lane when the hood of the car opened smashing into the windshield. both the hood and the windshield were damaged. the incident happened 35 minutes after the start of the trip. there were no bumps on the road and no other vehicles were involved …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.