CarRecallWatchThe 2009 Subaru Tribeca has 9 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash.
The most-reported problem area is Service Brakes (2 reports).
2009 Subaru Tribeca recalls
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture in a crash
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in certain vehicles may explode when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Certain 2009 Subaru vehicles have a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that may rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture and spray metal fragments
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in certain Subaru vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments at occupants
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, spraying metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Hood May Open While Driving, Blocking View
Certain Subaru Tribeca vehicles may have a problem with the hood safety system and hood lock system.
Most common 2009 Subaru Tribeca problems
Problem areas named in the 5 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
What owners report
THE CAR WAS STARTED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON A VERY COLD DAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS INITIALLY ABLE TO BE PRESSED, BUT THEN BECAME ROCK HARD AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED DOWN. AFTER 10 MINUTES OF LETTING THE CAR WARM UP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABLE TO BE PRESSED, BUT THEN SEIZED UP AGAIN 1 MINUTE LATER. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH IF IT OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
I WAS GOING AROUND A BEND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED. I WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE BRAKES. DUE TO THIS BRAKE FAILURE, I DROVE UP ON A HILLSIDE AND SMASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. FEEL THAT THIS IS A MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE CAR WHICH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOCKED INTO PLACE. THE CAR HAD NO KNOWN MECHANICAL ISSUES AND WAS INSPECTED IN JULY 2014. *TR
DRIVING CAR AND IT JOLTED, SHIFT GEAR LIGHTS WENT OUT AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON DASH BOARD, ATT-OIL TEMP, CRUISE CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND SLIPPERY WHEN WET LIGHT, CAR LOST POWER DOWN TO 2-5 MILES PER HOUR. THOUGHT IT WAS TRANSMISSION HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE BY CAPITOL TRANSMISSION IN HARTFORD, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEN THE LIGHTS WENT AWAY DROVE IT AGAIN FOR A WEEK IT JOLTED AGAIN AND LIGHTS BACK ON AGAIN. TOOK IT TO GABE'S TYRE (COUSIN) HE REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE GAGE THINKING IT WAS THAT SINCE THEY HAD ANOTHER ISSUE WITH A SUBARU SIMILAR WITH MY ISSUE, AND THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HE SUGGESTED I TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. COULD NOT DR
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I RESTED MY LEFT FOOT ON THE "FOOTREST" OF THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR AND THE HEEL OF MY SHOE WENT RIGHT THRU THE FLOOR OF MY 2008 SUBARU TRIBECA. I HAD TO TAKE MY FOOT OUT OF THE SHOE TO GET THE SHOE "UNSTUCK". I THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND COULD PULL OVER WHEN IT HAPPENED. WHEN I TOOK THE SHOE OUT I COULD SEE A BLACK WIRE IN THE BACKGROUND AREA. I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL OR SAFE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND HOW I CAN GET THIS REPAIRED. *TR
#1 THE VIN # IS CORRECT. #2 THE BRAKE TRAVEL IS TO EXCESSIVE FOR PROPER RESPONSE TIME. THIS HAS BEEN NOTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 15000 MILES. LITHER SUBURU IN WHITE BEAR LAKE MN WAS REQUESTED TO CHECK THIS OUT FOR ANOTHER SERVICE MAINTENANCE. THEY WOULD NOT CHECK IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL SUCH AS THE 2011 LEGACY MODEL. SINCE MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE SHE IS NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE AS TO THE DISTANCE THE FOOT PEDAL SHOULD TRAVEL. I HAVE SPENT YEARS IN AUTOMOTIVE AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT AS A SERVICE ENGINEER SO I FEEL QUALIFIED TO SAY THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFICIENCY. I HAD ANOTHER ENGINEER DRIVE IT TO VERIFY MY CONCLUSION. *TR
2009 Subaru Tribeca questions
Does the 2009 Subaru Tribeca have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 2009 Subaru Tribeca: Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may rupture in a crash; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may rupture and spray metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments at occupants. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Tribeca?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes (2), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1), Structure (1).
How do I check if a recall on my 2009 Subaru Tribeca has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.