Subaru · Tribeca · 2010
10
Recalls
8
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2010 Subaru Tribeca has 10 recalls and 8 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (3 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles 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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-18.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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).
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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).
Remedy Status
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.
SUBARU HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TRIBECA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 8, 2010. THE DOOR LATCH CABLES LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS WERE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED DURING PRODUCTION. AS A RESULT, A CABLE CAN CATCH IN THE DOOR GLASS REGULATOR WHEN A WINDOW IS OPENED OR CLOSED. SHOULD THAT OCCUR, IT MAY UNLATCH THE DOOR, CAUSING IT TO COME OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN RAISING OR LOWERING THE WINDOW.
Remedy Status
SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY REPOSITIONING AND SECURING THE LATCH CABLE IN BOTH FRONT DOORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY BETWEEN 8:30 AM AND 7:00 PM EST AND FRIDAY BETWEEN 10:30 AM AND 5:00 PM EST.
TAKATA RECALL
THE CVT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ITEM. MY TRANSMISSIONS SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING SINCE AROUND 143,000 MILES. HAD A NEW OEM TORQUE CONVERTOR INSTALLED. WHEN DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER BANGS AT AROUND 20MPH AT SLOW ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. MOST ANY SPEED AT A CRUISING DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE THE ENGINE LUGGING HARD. I'VE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AS THE RPMS INCREASE TO NEAR 2,000 RPMS BEFORE THE CAR WILL START MOVING. THERE'S A VIBRATION THAT FEELS LIKE ITS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL. AT TIMES I HAVE TO USE THE PADDLE SHIFTER TO DOWNSHIFT OR UPSHIFT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION ADJUST AS NEEDED TO MAKE IT UP HILLS OR TO ACCELERATE AND TO DROP FROM HIGH RPMS A CRUISING TO PROPER RPMS. THIS 2010 CVT IS A DISASTER AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AT THE LEAST. SUBARU SAYS THERE'S NO FIX BUT IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BEING WIDESPREAD. REALLY? ONGOING SINCE 143,000 MILES AND CURRENTLY AT 157,300 MILES.
DROPPED OFF CAR FOR 45K MILE SERVICE AND WHILE ROTATING THE TIRES WAS WARNED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE SEVERELY WORN AND RUSTED AND PADS WORN AT 95%. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IF THE ROTORS WERE TO BE CUT, THEY WOULD FALL BELOW ACCEPTABLE SAFETY TOLERANCE. AS SUCH, THEY WERE REPLACED AND THOUGH WE HAD THE 7YR/70K MILE "GOLD PLUS" EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE ROTORS WERE NOT COVERED (OF COURSE) UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE TRIBECA IS OUR FIRST SUBARU HOWEVER, NOT OUR FIRST NEW CAR. WE HAVE A JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WITH 98K MILES AND HAS THE ORIGINAL FRONT ROTORS AS DID OUR HONDA CR-V, CHEVY BLAZER AND FORD EXPLORER. ALL HAD ORIGINAL FRONT ROTORS WELL INTO THEIR RESPECTIVE 90-110K MILES. GOOD THING THAT THE SERVICE TECH CAUGHT THE PREMATURE RUST ON THE ROTORS AS THEY BOTH APPEARED TO BE CLOSE TO SEPARATING FROM THE CARRIERS. MY WIFE IS BEGINNING TO HAVE TRUST ISSUES WITH THE CAR NOW. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE 2010 SUBARU TRIBECA OPENED AND CAME BACK FAR ENOUGH TO BREAK THE WINDSHIELD. THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. POLICE WAS CALLED TO FILE A REPORT. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SUDDENLY SMELLED SMOKE SO SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND IT WAS COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR. LUCKILY TWO GUYS DRIVING BUY STOPPED AND HAPPEN TO WORK FOR HONDA AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER THEN THE POLICE AND TOE TRUCK CAME AND TOOK THE CAR AWAY. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS COMPLETELY RUINED AS WELL AS MY 2 KIDS CAR SEATS AND THE WHOLE INTERIOR IN THE CAR FROM THE FIRE AND EXTINGUISHER AS WELL AS OTHER INTERIOR OF THE CAR THAT WAS AFFECTED. PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE CAME TO CHECK THE CAR SINCE SUBARU OF AMERICA DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE BLAME WITHOUT THE INSURANCE COMING AND PLACING THE BLAME ON THEM FIRST THIS IS DEFINITELY SUBARUS FAULT AND THE CAR MUST HAVE FAULTY WIRING OR A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
WHILE ROUNDING A LEFT HAND TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 15- 20 MPH, THE PASSENGER LOWERED THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW USING THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH- THE DOOR FLEW OPEN , BUT WAS CAUGHT BY THE PASSENGER GRABBING THE DOOR , PREVENTING IT FROM HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE NEXT TO THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN STOPPED AND THE DRIVER EXITED VEHICLE AND WENT TO PASSENGER SIDE AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE DOOR, WHICH WOULD NOT LATCH AND STAY CLOSED. AFTER CYCLING THE ELECTRIC LOCK SWITCH AND THEN CYCLING THE LOCK LEVER MANUALLY, THE DOOR CLOSED AND STAYED SHUT. UPON ARRIVAL HOME TO PARK CAR, PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. DRIVER THEN CYCLED WINDOW CLOSED AND DOOR LOCK RELEASED AND DOOR COULD BE OPENED AND CLOSED. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES FROM EITHER THE SELLING DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED WITH THE REMOTE CAR STARTER THE CAR DOES NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE PUT INTO GEAR WITH OUT THE IGNITION IN ON POSITION. CAR IS THEN ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WITH OUT KEYS IN ON POSITION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE AUTOMATIC STARTER WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT A FAILURE WAS NOT PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS E-MAILED BUT HAD NOT RESPONDED YET TO THE CONTACTS INQUIRY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
The 2010 Subaru Tribeca has 10 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 8 owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Subaru Tribeca.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2010 Subaru Tribeca.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2010 Subaru Tribeca are electrical system (3 reports), power train (1 reports), service brakes (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 10 recalls on record for the 2010 Subaru Tribeca. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.