2006 Subaru B9 tribeca problems
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.
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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.
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
Positive 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca car reviews
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This vehicle is such a pleasure to drive, especially when compared to other SUVs I've owned. The interior is truly impressive, with a fit and finish that rivals that of our Teutonic friends from Germany. The design almost gives it a 'cockpit' feel, reminiscent of a fighter jet, and the electroluminescent gauges are simply awesome. Don't forget to get the 'puddle' lights, they really add a nice finishing touch to the vehicle! The Boxer motor is incredibly smooth, as is the transmission. Shifts are seamless and there's hardly any road or wind noise. The driving experience is truly enjoyable, with sharp and precise handling thanks to the low center of gravity provided by the Boxer motor. It's like having sports car handling with SUV clearance!
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This vehicle has met every one of my needs and then some. I was previously driving a Mountaineer which I liked for its space but hated for its gas mileage. The Tribeca surprised me with how much room it had in the back for loading and hauling. It is quiet (which is great for me since I drive on the interstate for work), smooth, and looks great. I have had some minor wear and tear problems (which is to be expected with any car) but everything has been covered by the warranty and fixed immediately. I also get great gas mileage (I have never seen it under 18 in town) and I am not an overly-cautious or slow driver! I plan on owning this car for many, many years!!
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It's a fun vehicle to drive, but I'm having issues with the door locks. First, the driver's side front door lock stopped working. After a few months, I discovered that the front passenger side door lock was also not working. Recently, I found that the rear passenger side door lock is also not functioning. I tried to get it repaired at the dealership, but due to the mileage on the car, I have to pay $350 for each lock. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Could it be a defect in the locks from the manufacturer?
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I just found headlights online and replaced them. The installation was a snap because Subaru put an access panel under the car to get to the 3 screws. However, the drive axles were a bit of a pain.
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We've had the car for 2 months now and we really like it! It feels very solid and doesn't drive like your typical SUV/minivan. It actually drives more like a passenger car. Plus, it's roomy inside without being as huge as some SUVs.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca problems:
What are your thoughts on 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca? : r/subaru
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 ...
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
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 ...
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 ...
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
Are you having problems with your 2006 Subaru B9 tribeca?
Adam Macejkovic 2025-03-26
The interior is very comfortable and equipped with all the latest features. However, the performance could be improved. I have noticed that when attempting to accelerate, the engine revs up to almost 7000 rpm before it kicks in, which can be frustrating. Additionally, there have been some issues with the headlights and visibility, as well as blind spots that can be dangerous. I have also experienced some trouble with the tire pressure light, which goes off for a day after filling the tires but then starts flashing again. Overall, I think the car has some room for improvement. By the way, I had a 2005 Ford Escape with 170K miles and I really enjoyed it, maybe I should have stuck with Ford.
Dennis Thiel 2025-03-16
I purchased this car to replace my old Chevy Blazer with 112K miles. Although I fell in love with the styling and the kick, I have had to take it to the shop more often than my previous car for various unknown issues, particularly with the electrical system. On the bright side, the mileage is better than my old Chevy and I recently took a 3600 mile trip that was enjoyable the entire way. As a first-time Subaru owner, I am disappointed with the mechanical issues that have arisen and I hope that the company will stand behind their product. Despite these issues, I still appreciate the safety, quick response, and original styling of the car. However, I do hope that these maintenance issues will not continue to occur in a car that is still under the 50,000 mile warranty.
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.
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!
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.