Makes›Subaru›Tribeca›2009

2009 Subaru Tribeca

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Subaru Tribeca
Pictured: 2006-2007 Subaru Tribeca (B9 MY07) R Premium Pack wagon (2011-11-17). Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD Base/Limited, 4dr SUV AWD Premier
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 21 hwy
Length
189.8 in
Curb weight
4,156–4,266 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints2 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 39 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 Subaru Tribeca is a SUV - offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 190 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,156 lb (4dr SUV AWD Base/Limited).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 21 highway), 2% better than the 2009 SUV - average of 17.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2009

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 Tribeca — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Tribeca →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD Base/Limited189.8 in74.4 in66.5 in108.3 in62.6 / 61.8 in4,156 lb54/46
4dr SUV AWD Premier189.8 in74.4 in66.5 in108.3 in62.6 / 61.8 in4,266 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tribeca AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18+2%$3,700494
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17.7 MPG2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Subaru Tribeca under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Subaru Tribeca (this car)18 MPGNot rated8
2009 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated6
2009 Toyota 4Runner18 MPGNot rated6
2009 Toyota Highlander26 MPGNot rated9
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee18 MPGNot rated1
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe20 MPGNot rated2
2009 Volkswagen Touareg20 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (8)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V012000 · 64,179 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V014000 · 72,150 vehicles

Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback 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.
Risk
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, 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 TKC-18.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V013000 · 93,209 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 11, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V026000 · 69,529 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 10, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V014000 · 53,480 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 25, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V358000 · 302,127 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · Feb 3, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V060000 · 77,017 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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).
Exterior Lighting · Dec 26, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V602000 · 633,842 vehicles

Problem
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).
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Subaru Tribeca is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

2Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
52,010 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/01: 115/02: 115/0115/02max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Subaru Tribeca buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  3. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 52,010 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  4. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Subaru Tribeca. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Tribeca years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2014 Tribeca18189.8 inNot rated40
2013 Tribeca18189.8 inNot rated63
2012 Tribeca18189.8 inNot rated00
2011 Tribeca18189.8 inNot rated82
2010 Tribeca18189.8 inNot rated102
2008 Tribeca18189.8 inNot rated810
2007 Tribeca18–Not rated83
2006 Tribeca18–Not rated85

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →