2009 Subaru B9 Tribeca problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
🧭 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 (106)
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 106 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-12-18 · Air Bags · 200,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2009 subaru b9 tribeca. the contact stated while driving on ice, at a low speed, the contact's vehicle slid and rolled before slamming into a culvert. the contact stated that the driver's door air bag was deployed, however, no other air bags deployed. in addition, the contact stated that an unknown air bag recall repair was p…”
2018-12-29 · Exterior Lighting · 90,000 mi“headlamps burn out and cause shorting on other electrical components like blower fan, windows and etc. i change headlamps every 1-2 months sometimes sooner, and now i'm forced to change the electrical components that are effected by this shorting issue!!!!!! i'm told that subaru had an defect with this issue from other countries!!!…”
2018-11-10 · Engine · 152,587 mi“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 happ…”
2018-01-18 · Vehicle Speed Control · 120,000 mi“upon entering highway and accelerating to achieve the prescribed 65mph, the car continued accelerating, uncommanded, even when i applied the brakes, and continued to accelerate above 85mph for miles, (i was pumping brakes and frantically trying to figure out what to do and what was going on). i was able to find an exit ramp and had the thought i c…”
2017-02-13 · Fuel/Propulsion 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 i…”
2015-03-09 · Power Train · 65,000 mi“there is a large shudder at slow acceleration. the problem was slight to begin with however, the problem continues to get worse. dealer has confirmed that the torque converter is no good, however they will not replace for free since the vehicle is out of warranty. through my investigation, i found that subaru did a design change in early 2009 to…”
2012-12-26 · Visibility/Wiper“windshield cracking for no reason. approx 4 clean, through and through, cracks now. all roughly 8' long. no chips and/or rock dings. woke up two mornings ago, car garaged, and there was a new crack after it sat idle in a garage all night. *tr…”
2012-02-01 · Power Train · 30,410 mi“when accelerating moderately, the drivetrain/transmission shudders. the vehicle hesitates for a brief period of time and then begins to accelerate. this usually occurs between 20-40 mph, especially when moving in stop and go traffic. dealer has not been able to duplicate the condition and no "error codes" are showing in the computer. my wife do…”
2010-05-18 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 24,000 mi“engine stall out / flashing atoil light / check engine light on / flashing vsc light on/ flashing cruise control light. - vehicle running rough. this is the second incident with similar symptoms. first occurred 2/23/2009 -(2567 miles) dx with transmission solenoid problem. repaired w/dx codes p1578, p0700 current incident at 24,000 miles - …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.