Summary
The Subaru Tribeca has 7 recalls spanning the 2006–2014 production run, with the most serious recent issue being a hood latch failure on 2006–2014 models where both the primary and secondary latches can fail simultaneously, allowing the hood to fly open while driving and block the driver's view entirely.
The hood latch concern appears across the full production run: the broader recall covering 2006–2014 vehicles addresses a malfunction in the hood safety and lock systems that can also cause the hood to open unexpectedly while driving, with the same result of sudden visibility loss. On 2013 Tribeca models with a 5-speed automatic transmission, a parking rod can come loose inside the transmission, leaving the vehicle stuck in park and unable to be moved.
The 2010 model year has two door-related concerns that are closely related. The front door latch cables were positioned incorrectly during production and can get caught in the window regulator when a window is raised or lowered, causing the door to unlatch and swing open while driving. The risk is both that an occupant could be partially ejected and that the sudden opening could distract the driver.
On 2009 models, the electronic stability control's motion sensor may have been installed incorrectly during assembly, causing the system to respond unpredictably during hard braking or sharp turns rather than helping stabilize the vehicle.
The 2006 model year alone carries two additional concerns: dealer-installed accessory puddle lights on certain vehicles can short circuit, melt, and produce smoke with a potential for fire, and the hood latch system has its own separate filing for simultaneous failure of both latch stages, also risking the hood opening at speed.
