NHTSA vehicle safety data
2013 Subaru Tribeca Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2013 Subaru Tribeca has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Subaru Tribeca, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2013 Subaru Tribeca owner complaints
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru Tribeca, describing incidents dated January 1, 2013 to February 1, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Air Bags 1 complaint
- Engine 1 complaint
- Power Train 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11738386 · Filed
ALT TEMP LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON THE CARE WILL HAVE A FUNNY SHIFT THEN A STRONG JERK, SPEED CAN ONLY GO UNDER 20 MPH AND THEN THE ALT TEMP LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CURISE CONTROL LIGHTS.
ODI #11185480 · Filed
SUBARU OF AMERICA CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT HELLO I OWN A 2013 SUBARU TRIBECA WITH VIN [XXX] THAT HAS RECENTLY LOST ALL THE ENGINE OIL AND NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALERTING ME THE VEHICLE WAS LOW OR HAD NO OIL. THIS VEHICLE WAS JUST IN THE SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM 1/301/9-2/5/19 FOR LOSS OF…
ODI #11040744 · Filed
TAKATA RECALL
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #19V009000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 9, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 452,630 vehicles
Repair completion: 94.02% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Subaru campaign TKC-19 · Owners notified January 25, 2019 · Vehicles built August 31, 2009 – January 24, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #19V007000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 9, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 43,394 vehicles
Repair completion: 95.15% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Subaru campaign TKA-19 · Owners notified January 25, 2019 · Vehicles built October 12, 2009 – January 24, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #19V008000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 9, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 330,120 vehicles
Repair completion: 93.76% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Subaru campaign TKB-19 · Owners notified January 25, 2019 · Vehicles built October 26, 2009 – January 24, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #18V012000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 9, 2018 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 64,179 vehicles
Repair completion: 96.34% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Subaru campaign TKA-18 · Owners notified February 9, 2018 · Vehicles built April 8, 2008 – July 3, 2013 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Hood May Open Unexpectedly
NHTSA #16V060000 · Structure — Body — Hood · NHTSA notice
Reported February 3, 2016 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 77,017 vehicles
Repair completion: 54.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Subaru campaign WQX-59 and WQY-60 · Owners notified September 6, 2016 · Vehicles built November 16, 2004 – January 27, 2014 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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).
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Possible Detachment of Parking Rod/Rollaway
NHTSA #13V336000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice
Reported August 1, 2013 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 202 vehicles
Subaru campaign WQJ-46 · Owners notified August 13, 2013 · Vehicles built June 12, 2013 – June 28, 2013 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R and Outback 3.6R and 2013 Tribeca vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through June 28, 2013 and equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.
Safety consequence
As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Subaru Tribeca model years
Check your 2013 Subaru Tribeca VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru Tribeca at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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