Subaru Tribeca Subaru Tribeca

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

Subaru Tribeca repairs by problem area

Engine (31%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (20%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (27%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)

Other (2%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Subaru Tribeca problem?

Chart based on 186 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Subaru Tribeca.

Subaru Tribeca electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (10%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (54%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 48 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2013 Subaru Tribeca 4dr SUV

256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

29000 mi

US $15
driver side low beam 

Return to top

2011 Subaru Tribeca 4dr SUV

256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

4136 mi SBF #5 replaced. Fuse had blown and was setting off other sensors which led to check engine light coming on. 

Return to top

2008 Subaru Tribeca 4dr SUV

256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

54000 mi

US $400
Also, another headlight (3) since I got the car has had to be replaced. 
50000 mi

US $200
Bought car second hand from non-Subaru dealer, who paid for light bulb change in gear shift and  tire pressure sensor. 
51000 mi

US $850
AC failed intermittently, then completely. Repair shop could get no reading on the control panel. Panel ultimately replaced completely. 
33000 mi Sat nav display failed. Dealer order and replaced audio unit, apparently on advice from Subaru. Tech reported all was fine after test drive. Unit was faulty when I got in car. Subaru indicated now that display has to be replaced. 
34000 mi Dealer replaced sat nav display at Subaru's expense 
34000 mi front headlight blew out (2nd time) but was repaired at no charge under warranty 
80000 mi

US $200
HVAC Control unit electronics failed. Bought replacement unit off eBay and repaired myself. 
79000 mi

US $100
Bad battery replaced. 
48000 mi

US $22
Driver's side headlight bulb burned out. 
81000 mi

US $568
Replaced driver side lowbeam bulb (2nd time). 
134000 mi

US $700
Replaced power window switch for driver's side front window 
75180 mi Front body position sensor failure. Manual contol has been installed using head light beam leveller switch of USA model 
85000 mi

US $50
Front headlight bulb replacement. Total pain to get to. 
124000 mi

C $1800
Alternator , serp. Belt, plugs, oil with filter 
124000 mi

US $25
replaced one fog light bulb (the 4th time in 5 years). It was replaced by a mechanic because it's very hard to get to the location without the car being up on a lift (I've tried) - even then the mechanic says the little tunnel you reach through makes it harder than it should be. It was $18 for labor. 
131000 mi

US $185
A/C system has leaks that would cost at least $800, but could be much more. Car has other issues that make this a non-starter to repair. 
110000 mi Mandatory recall work had not been completed. Passenger Takata airbag replaced. Hood latch fixed. 
35000 mi Navigation screen went out.Ordered parts and submitted claim. Replaced navigation screen. 
99000 mi

US $300
drivers window hesitation, moter needed replaced 
18000 mi Remote start would shut off after a few minutes of idling then continue to restart. 
19300 mi Remote start control module was replaced 
36000 mi Headlight bulb. 

Return to top

2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca 4dr SUV

245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

140000 mi

US $750
Replaced heater core. 
158000 mi

US $750
Replaced OE alternator. 
60000 mi

US $300
Intermitten failure with AC. Dealer could not find any problems. After several trips back they replaced the relay. Working fine now. 

Return to top

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

Engine not specified

100000 mi

US $10
Driver side headlight out. DIY replaced. ~30 min to figure out how to install without manual or instructions. 

Return to top

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca 4dr SUV

250-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

84320 mi Driver's window switch needed cleaning out 
89140 mi

C $280
Power window switch for driver's door failed. Replaced switch 
115320 mi Air bag replaced under warranty 
86600 mi

US $110
Replaced original battery with new one. 
89000 mi Puddle light recall. I was going to repair it myself, but since Subaru came out with mod to resolve the problem, I had it taken care of at Subaru dealership after puddle lights failed.  
76300 mi

US $100
Replace battery, change oil 
80300 mi

US $1700
Compressor -a Subaru only part; no after market parts are (ever available). 
97000 mi Problems with manually shifting. Repair shop cleaned the contacts on a switch -problem resolved. Driver's Window not responding or slow to respond to attempts to roll it up or down. Contacts cleaned and problem resolved. Shop did for free. Thank You Eagle Tire!!! 
85700 mi Loaner provided, Camera repaired, interior detailed. If either problem returns they will cover. Update: They could not nail the problem down, but spent hours trying to correct it. It still function with varying degrees of reliability and effectiveness. 
56420 mi

C $200
Replaced drivers side door lock actuator. $37 for part and about 1.5-2 hours to do myself. 
27500 mi

US $100
Water gushing onto passenger side floor when turning left. Dealer stated that the AC line is clogged with leaves and therefore my expense. Also, the vehicle coolant was empty. Had 30,000 mile maintenance $490. 
52000 mi

US $22
Driver headlight bult OEM 
53000 mi

US $22
Passanger headlight bulb 
53500 mi

US $22
Driver headlight bulb 
13500 mi Right foglight burned out. Alignment on right headlamp off, and had been creating gap in field of vision since purchase. Dealer realigned headlamp and replaced foglight under warranty. 
21090 mi Left headlamp burned out. Replaced under warranty. Car pulling to right under hard braking. Realigned under warranty and fixed problem. 
24700 mi Right headlamp burned out. Replaced under warranty. 
98000 mi

US $250
TPMS light intermittently flashing. required 3 trips to shop to figure out bad sensor, one replaced and light out 1 week, then 2nd failed and replaced 
77500 mi

C $248
A/C RELAY SWITCH 
61300 mi AC drain hose plugged. Removed, cleaned, replaced hose. Symptom: Front Passenger Floor mat became wet... so slight at first, source was hard to find. But became noticeable after driving in heavy rain. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.

Subaru Tribeca Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Subaru Tribeca problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.