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Subaru TribecaModel year report

2008 Subaru Tribeca Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
9campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 16 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Subaru Tribeca (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2008 Subaru Tribeca. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (2) and steering (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 8 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.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall - I received notice august 2016 that my passenger side takata airbag was being recalled. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. . . . I have not been able to have a front passenger in my family vehicle since this notice and it has now been 7 months!! …”

NHTSA complaint #10954493, filed 2017-02

Exterior lighting: “The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Tribeca. While the vehicle was parked, the contact observed smoke coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle. There were no flames visible. The fire department was called to the scene, but was unable to determine the source of the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the wiring to the driver's side puddle light had overheated and was burnt. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11101199, filed 2018-06, 134,000 miles

Steering: “This car was shaking at a speed of 60 miles. After taking it to check in seattle's carter Subaru washington five times, the car became vibrating at a speed of 40 miles. A day after it departure, it was shipped to tampa florida because of my university. Upon receipt the car was oil-free, and all the safety lights were caught. The car started to vibrate, and there was no longer enough capacity to push and the tires began to fall. Mastro Subaru refused to fix the problem except by paying money. …”

NHTSA complaint #11003850, filed 2017-07

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Tribeca. While driving approximately 45 MPH on a road covered with snow an excessive amount of steam expelled from the front end of the vehicle. The steam made it difficult to see and there was a strong burning smell inside of the vehicle. The driver was able to shut the engine off for a few moments, restart and resume normal operation with caution. Upon reaching his destination and inspecting under the hood he observed that the engine compartment exhibited massive snow,the belts and rubber hoses were burned. …”

NHTSA complaint #10266469, filed 2009-04, 4,700 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

40% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,524 and 95,000 miles.

20%0–1020%10–250%25–5020%50–7520%75–10020%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200920102013201420164201742018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Subaru Tribeca. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Tribeca · sedan AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 16.4% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Subaru Tribeca version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Tribeca AWD3.6L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162118$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 9 recalls for the 2008 Subaru Tribeca → · Check a 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. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 52 bulletins →

Other model years of the Subaru Tribeca

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2009552,0109—18—Not enough data
20081470,0009—18—Not enough data
2006997,1548———Not enough data

All Subaru Tribeca model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Subaru Tribeca have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2008 Subaru Tribeca as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Subaru Tribeca is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 2.

Has the 2008 Subaru Tribeca been recalled?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Subaru Tribeca get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Subaru Tribeca (Tribeca AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Subaru Tribeca reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 13,524 and 95,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.