BestCarRank
Subaru

2012 Subaru B9 TRIBECA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Subaru B9 TRIBECA has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is lighting problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: subaru tribeca 2012 is only 3 years and 7 month old. was purchased new for $41,000 for best safety features, and fuel economy. my car never was in accident, not driven to the mountains or harsh weather condition. only 43000 miles. has many issues with electrical, oil leak, steering wheel. after d.

8

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

LIGHTING

2 complaints
25%
  • SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WA
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

2 complaints
25%
  • 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA- TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE KNOWN ISSUE ON SUBARU CARS FROM THAT YEAR, RECALL/EXTENDED REPAIR DOESN'T COVER MODEL. CAR STALLS WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. STARTED AS STRONG HESITATION AND PROGRESSED RAPIDLY TO UNPREDICTABLE/SUDDEN STALLING. HAPPENED AT BOTH HIGH SPEE
  • VEHICLE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL AND TEMP, ALL WERE NORMAL. PULLED AWAY AND THE ENGINE REVED UP THEN BANGED INTO GEAR. DROVE NORMALLY FOR SEVERAL
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

2012 SUBARU TRIBECA- TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE KNOWN ISSUE ON SUBARU CARS FROM THAT YEAR, RECALL/EXTENDED REPAIR DOESN'T COVER MODEL. CAR STALLS WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. STARTED AS STRONG HESITATION AND PROGRESSED RAPIDLY TO UNPREDICTABLE/SUDDEN STALLING. HAPPENED AT BOTH HIGH SPEE

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints
13%
  • SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

1 complaints
13%
  • SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

1 complaints
13%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WA
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WA

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • LIGHTING: SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: 2012 SUBARU TRIBECA- TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE KNOWN ISSUE ON SUBARU CARS FROM THAT YEAR, RECALL/EXTENDED REPAIR DOESN'T COVER MODEL. CAR STALLS WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. STARTED AS STRONG HESITATION AND PROGRESSED RAPIDLY TO UNPREDICTABLE/SUDDEN STALLING. HAPPENED AT BOTH HIGH SPEE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: SUBARU TRIBECA 2012 IS ONLY 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTH OLD. WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $41,000 FOR BEST SAFETY FEATURES, AND FUEL ECONOMY. MY CAR NEVER WAS IN ACCIDENT, NOT DRIVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS OR HARSH WEATHER CONDITION. ONLY 43000 MILES. HAS MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL, OIL LEAK, STEERING WHEEL. AFTER D

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Subaru B9 TRIBECA — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Subaru B9 TRIBECA