2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,150miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (19% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and body and structure (3). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,150 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 108 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags3 19%
- Brakes3 19%
- Body and structure3 19%
- Suspension3 19%
- Fuel system2 13%
- Tires2 13%
- Engine cooling1 6.3%
- Other or unknown1 6.3%
Also reported: Steering (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “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 time for receiving the parts could be provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10929653, filed 2016-12Brakes: “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 car to Subaru dealer, all 3 vacuum hose brakes replaced. Dealer states that each hose has a check valve in it for the vacuum system. Fortunately we discovered this problem at a very low rate of speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493805, filed 2013-01, 50,150 milesBody and structure: “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 contact with Subaru and my insurance company.”
NHTSA complaint #10959075, filed 2017-03, 90,000 milesSuspension: “This accident occurs in queretaro, mx. I was driven in a secondary road and suddenly my Subaru tribeca 2008 turned right and for a while I lose the control. After few seconds I could drive my car forward and stopped it outroad. The specialized analysis determined that the left lateral link was broken. This lateral link was replaced in march 2012 because another accident in which the rear left suspension was broken and all pieces that compound the rear suspension were replaced too. The agency is waiting for a new laterar link and I'm worried about the quality of the piece. …”
NHTSA complaint #10464831, filed 2012-07, 51,300 milesMileage when problems were reported
36% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,700 and 93,507 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 108 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. 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.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. 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.
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. 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…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026Electrical system. 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.)
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Electrical system. Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026Electrical system. 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
- 11034249Jun 12, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
Other model years of the Subaru B9 Tribeca
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 9 | 90,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 16 | 50,150 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 26 | 58,430 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 84 | 101,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Subaru B9 Tribeca model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (19% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,150 miles and the middle half falls between 1,700 and 93,507 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.