NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
14 reports95,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
Service Brakes
WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DIPS BELOW 20 DEGREES F, THE BRAKES FAIL TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES NOW IN THE YEAR 2014. THIS HAS HAPPENED EACH TIME MY CAR HAS SAT OUT IN THE COLD TEMPERATURES (<20 DEGREES) FOR 8 HOURS (WHILE AT WORK). WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY SPACE IN THE OUTDOOR PARKING GARAGE, MY BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HA…
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WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DIPS BELOW 20 DEGREES F, THE BRAKES FAIL TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES NOW IN THE YEAR 2014. THIS HAS HAPPENED EACH TIME MY CAR HAS SAT OUT IN THE COLD TEMPERATURES (<20 DEGREES) FOR 8 HOURS (WHILE AT WORK). WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY SPACE IN THE OUTDOOR PARKING GARAGE, MY BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND I AM UNABLE TO DEPRESS IT. MY CAR WILL NOT STOP. APPLYING HARD PRESSURE SLOWS IT DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON DRY PAVEMENT. I ONCE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED ONCE AFTER I WAS OPERATING THE CAR FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS SINCE THIS STARTED. EACH TIME THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE ALSO EMAILED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY STATED THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO DUPLICATE THE BRAKE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO FIX IT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN; NOT TO MENION I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN TRAVELING IN THE CAR WITH ME. NO ONE SEEMS THAT WORRIED ABOUT IT BUT ME. IT IS ALL OVER INTERNET CAR FORUMS THAT THIS HAPPENS WITH SUBARU BRAKES WHEN THE TEMPERATURES DIP. THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU CLAIM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH SUBARU.
NHTSA ODI #10568359
980,000 miles · Jan 5, 2013
EngineSteering
THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE WEIRD NOISES THEN WE LOST POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491510
13,524 miles · Apr 1, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,524. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,524. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,800.
NHTSA ODI #10323319
4,700 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureFire
TL*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 MOM…
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TL*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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WINTER MONTHS; YET, THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW DUE TO THE SNOW ENTERING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,066. UPDATED 05/11/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/11/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10266469
Official recalls
9Apr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Jan 11, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.
Jan 10, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
Jan 10, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-17.
May 25, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
May 25, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16V-358 for Zone A.
Feb 3, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Tribeca vehicles manufactured November 16, 2004, to January 27, 2014. Due to a possible malfunction of the hood safety system and hood lock system, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will complete this recall in two phases. Phase one will involve inspection, cleaning, and lubricating the hood safety and hood lock systems. If after this is performed the hood latch does not operate properly, it will be replaced with a new current style part. Phase two will involve installing an improved hood safety system and hood lock system. Interim notification was mailed March 4, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQX-59 (phase one) and WQY-60 (phase two).
Additional source detail variants (2)
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Tribeca vehicles manufactured November 16, 2004, to January 27, 2014. Due to a possible malfunction of the hood safety system and hood lock system, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
Consequence: If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will complete this recall in two phases. Phase one will involve inspection, cleaning, and lubricating the hood safety and hood lock systems. If after this is performed the hood latch does not operate properly, it will be replaced with a new current style part. Phase two will involve installing an improved hood safety system and hood lock system. Interim notification was mailed March 4, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQX-59 (phase one) and WQY-60 (phase two).
Structure:body:hood
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Tribeca vehicles manufactured November 16, 2004, to January 27, 2014. Due to a possible malfunction of the hood safety system and hood lock system, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
Consequence: If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will complete this recall in two phases. Phase one will involve inspection, cleaning, and lubricating the hood safety and hood lock systems. If after this is performed the hood latch does not operate properly, it will be replaced with a new current style part. Phase two will involve installing an improved hood safety system and hood lock system. Interim notification was mailed March 4, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQX-59 (phase one) and WQY-60 (phase two).
Dec 26, 2012
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Dec 9, 2008
SUBARU IS RECALLING 5,130 MY 2008-2009 TRIBECA PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) G-SENSOR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS SENSOR IS DESIGNED TO BE MOUNTED IN A FORWARD FACING DIRECTION BUT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED BACKWARDS DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SENSOR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, VEHICLE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS DURING HARD BRAKING, SUDDEN TURNS OR OTHER QUICK MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO REACT IN AN UNEXPECTED MANNER OR RESULT IN UNSTABLE HANDLING. UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VDC G-SENSOR. IF THE SENSOR IS FOUND TO BE INSTALLED CORRECTLY, NO FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED. IF THE SENSOR IS FOUND TO BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY (BACKWARDS), THE SENSOR WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED IN THE CORRECT POSITION. THE VDC SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE REPROGRAMMED TO ENSURE PROPER OPERATION. THE RECALLBEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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