2006 Subaru B9 tribeca problems

subaru logo

The Subaru Tribeca is a mid-size crossover SUV made from 2005 to 2014. Released in some markets, including Canada, as the Subaru B9 Tribeca, the car derives its name from the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. Built on the Subaru Legacy platform and sold in five- and seven-seat configurations, the Tribeca was intended to be sold alongside a slightly revised version known as the Saab 9-6X. Saab, at the time a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), abandoned the 9-6X program just prior to its release subsequent to GM's 2005 divestiture of its 20 percent stake in FHI.

Inspired by the B9X concept car, the Tribeca's original design was criticized at launch and subsequently revised in 2007 for the 2008 model year, and the model name was shortened to simply Tribeca in all markets.

Although not sold in Japan, North American markets received the Tribeca in 2005 for the 2006 model year, and it was introduced to Australasia and Europe in late 2006. In addition to these markets, the Tribeca was also sold in South America, South Africa, China, the Middle East, and parts of Southeast Asia.

2006 Subaru B9 tribeca

Social links

Common 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca problems

The Subaru B9 Tribeca, produced in 2006, has several common problems that owners have reported. These issues can be categorized into engine, transmission, all-wheel drive system, climate control, and electrical system problems.

  • Electrical System:
    Difficulty starting the engine on the B9 Tribeca can be caused by a flat battery due to a faulty alternator. The vehicle may also start but soon die out, especially when several electrical devices are running simultaneously. This is an indication of alternator failure, which requires re-charging the battery and fitting a replacement alternator to fix the problem.

In summary, the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca has several common problems that owners have reported. These issues include engine overheating, transmission problems, all-wheel drive system malfunctions, climate control failures, and electrical system faults. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues and consider them when evaluating the vehicle. Regular maintenance and inspections can help mitigate these problems and ensure the vehicle's longevity.

2006 Subaru B9 tribeca engine

Is Subaru Tribeca 2006 a good vehicle?

Very reliable vehicle

Runs very smooth. strong engine requires little maintenance very roomy and comfortable. awesome stereo sound. powerful engine.

Is Subaru Tribeca B9 reliable?

Subaru B9 Tribeca Reliability Problems

B9 Tribeca owners have made 19 complaints over 2 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 9th in overall reliability out of 17 Subaru models , with real body and transmission concerns.

Is Subaru Tribeca expensive to maintain?

The average annual repair cost is $563 which means it has average ownership costs.

Why did Subaru stop making Tribeca?

Subaru, however, when celebrating its 50th year as an automaker in America, owned up to the fact that the Tribeca wasn't the best it had to offer, stating: "The model was quickly found to be too small for the U.S." and "the model never achieved its planned-for sales and was dropped in 2014 with the announcement of a ...

Is Subaru Tribeca 2006 a good vehicle?

Very reliable vehicle

Runs very smooth. strong engine requires little maintenance very roomy and comfortable. awesome stereo sound. powerful engine.

Is Subaru Tribeca B9 reliable?

Subaru B9 Tribeca Reliability Problems

B9 Tribeca owners have made 19 complaints over 2 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 9th in overall reliability out of 17 Subaru models , with real body and transmission concerns.

Is Subaru Tribeca expensive to maintain?

The average annual repair cost is $563 which means it has average ownership costs.

What is the fuel consumption of the Tribeca B9?

Based on data from 33 vehicles, 3,085 fuel-ups and 651,777 miles of driving, the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca gets a combined Avg MPG of 17.92 with a 0.09 MPG margin of error.

2006 Subaru B9 tribeca complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

Negative 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca car reviews

  1. Quinton Fritsch 2024-10-24

    Although we have owned this car for a year now, I am confident in saying that it has not met our expectations. As a family with two kids, we were used to the spaciousness of our previous 4Runner, which the B9 lacks. Additionally, the fuel economy is poor and it requires a minimum of 89 octane fuel. While the heated seats and DVD player are nice features, the interior is the only aspect that stands out. Unfortunately, we have also encountered some mechanical issues, such as a loud rattle from the engine when accelerating from a stop. Overall, I am confident in saying that this car is not the best fit for our family's needs.

  2. Verner Nolan 2024-09-09

    A common problem with the 3.0 engine is that the passenger side cylinder head often cracks in the middle cylinder. It can be quite difficult to find a used right cylinder head anywhere in the country, whereas left side heads are much easier to come by. To avoid lean running and elevated temperatures, it's important to keep an eye on and clean your MAF regularly. High temperatures can lead to head cracking!

  3. Alphonso Wintheiser 2024-08-04

    We purchased this car in December of '05 after test-driving it twice and conducting extensive research. Unfortunately, we experienced some issues with the warning light signals during our first weekend and had to take it to the service department. Despite making an appointment, the problem persisted and we had to take it to the dealer three more times. It was then that we were informed of a faulty transmission. The car has spent more time in the shop than on the road, making this the worst new car experience we have ever had. We hope that Subaru can address this issue and improve the quality of their vehicles. At this time, we cannot recommend purchasing this car.

  4. Aaron Senger 2024-07-29

    The gas mileage may be over-estimated and the quietness inside may not be as expected. I was wondering if I should have gone for something more common, as I don't see many Tribecas around.

  5. Karley Kautzer 2024-03-14

    The car looks great and is a pleasure to drive during the day. However, the low beam headlights are very dangerous and make it difficult to see even just 10 feet in front when going down a hill at night. It seems to be a flawed design that requires a safety recall. Another Tribeca owner mentioned that it creates a notched line across your vision, making it pitch dark on top. To compensate, you need to drive with high beams on, which creates another safety issue for oncoming cars. It's surprising that more people haven't brought up this issue, as it seems to be a common complaint that service has heard a lot. Overall, the car is great, but the hazardous headlight design needs to be addressed.

Positive 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca car reviews

  1. Ezekiel McKenzie 2024-11-23

    The lease of the Tribeca is one of the best secrets in the market. This vehicle gives you everything you want in a crossover. It's got great performance and handling. I would just suggest making the engine a bit bigger than the 3.0, but everything else is absolutely perfect!

  2. Muhammad Gleichner 2024-11-07

    Although my Tribeca has been a great car, I had a terrible experience with the factory dealer service. On my way home from their shop, the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. With only 40k miles, it needed some regular service. They reported to me that the electric wire harness was faulty and critters had chewed it, and it needed to be replaced at a cost of more than $1000. I was told it was a common occurrence on Tribecas, but this one is parked inside at home, so what the heck? Since that visit, the car has had many new problems. My advice is to keep away from the Subaru dealer in Plano, TX. When times are hard, some people go beyond to create more business.

  3. Rashawn Halvorson 2024-10-18

    This is a great car! I was initially hesitant about the price tag, but after doing some comparison research and test drives, I found that all of the comparably equipped competitors came in at a higher price than what I ultimately negotiated with my dealer. The car handles great and has much more power than my 4 cylinder Outback wagon. Additionally, it has an excellent turning radius and is very easy to park. Although the gas mileage isn't the best, we expected this when moving up to a 6 cylinder SUV. We absolutely love both the interior and exterior styling of the car - it's definitely a head turner! In fact, I've only had it for a short time and have already been asked about it numerous times.

  4. Torrey Davis 2024-08-21

    I recently switched from driving a 1990 Legacy to a 2006 Tribeca, both of which are from their first year of manufacturing. I've driven it for 6000 miles so far and it's been a fun ride. It's pretty comfortable for long drives, although it's not suitable for off-road driving. However, it handles rough roads very well. I recently took it on a 500 mile drive and it was a great experience. The only concern I have is that it requires premium gas and the engine takes some time to pick up speed, revving up with a lot of noise. Fortunately, they are changing this in the 08 models with a better engine.

  5. Diamond Heidenreich 2024-07-02

    This SUV is the closest I'll get to my dream vehicle for a while. It's beautifully designed inside and out, and very comfortable. The only slight downside is that you have to buy wipers from Subaru, as other types won't fit. Also, the power in the first generation Tribeca (the B9) is a bit low for highway passing, but it still gets the job done. Overall, I would definitely recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants a four-door. We love it - it's much more practical than a Tiburon when you have kids!

Leave your review of 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca problems:

What are your thoughts on 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca? : r/subaru
What are your thoughts on 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca? : r/subaru
https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/vzss0v/what_are_your_thoughts_on_2006_subaru_b9_tribeca/

Jul 15, 2022 ... As long as you like the looks, 2006 was one of the best years in terms of reliability. Not really any big common issues. Upvote 1. Downvote

2006 Subaru Tribeca - Tribeca troubles? - Maintenance/Repairs ...
2006 Subaru Tribeca - Tribeca troubles? - Maintenance/Repairs ...
https://community.cartalk.com/t/2006-subaru-tribeca-tribeca-troubles/190839

May 27, 2023 ... He was quite happy with the car when he traded it for an Outback last year. What issues did you have with yours? VDCdriver May 28, 2023 ...

1st Generation (2006-2007) B9 Tribeca Problems
1st Generation (2006-2007) B9 Tribeca Problems
http://www.subarucomplaints.com/models/b9-tribeca/generations/1/

Worst Issues · hood flew up in the 2006 B9 Tribeca. 2 complaints · locks into gear intermittently in the 2007 B9 Tribeca. 2 complaints · faulty head gasket in the ...

Tribeca reliability from long term owners | Subaru B9 Tribeca SUV ...
Tribeca reliability from long term owners | Subaru B9 Tribeca SUV ...
https://www.sb9t.com/threads/tribeca-reliability-from-long-term-owners.4494/

Apr 16, 2019 ... Tribeca reliability from long term owners · 1) Serpentine belt idler or tensioner bearing failure · 2) Coolant leak · 3) Not checking oil often ...

Subaru B9 Tribeca Transmisson Problems — Car Forums at ...
Subaru B9 Tribeca Transmisson Problems — Car Forums at ...
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/16122/subaru/b9-tribeca/subaru-b9-tribeca-transmisson-problems

Oct 3, 2006 ... Has anybody had issues with the transmission when the car is cold, and when it is shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear? My 2006 Tribeca, w/30k miles, ...

Other years of Subaru B9 tribeca

subaru b9 tribeca 2007 photo
B9 tribeca 2007
Subaru

0

0

28

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru b9 tribeca 2008 photo
B9 tribeca 2008
Subaru

0

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru b9 tribeca 2009 photo
B9 tribeca 2009
Subaru

0

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru b9 tribeca 2010 photo
B9 tribeca 2010
Subaru

0

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru b9 tribeca 2011 photo
B9 tribeca 2011
Subaru

0

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru b9 tribeca 2006 photo
B9 tribeca 2006
Subaru

0

0

23

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Are you having problems with your 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca?

Add car complaint
2006 Subaru B9 tribeca photo