The 2009 Subaru Tribeca has 8 recalls, the most serious involving the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator, which can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
The airbag issue spans multiple filings that together cover vehicles across the United States, with geographic scope varying by registration history. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why multiple campaigns exist for the same underlying defect. The core danger is the same in each case: the inflator can explode rather than deploy cleanly, turning the airbag housing into a source of metal shrapnel directed at the front passenger, driver, or others in the vehicle.
Beyond the airbag concern, the hood latch system can fail on the Tribeca, allowing the hood to fly open while driving. When that happens, the hood can block the driver's forward view entirely, creating a serious crash risk with little warning. There is also a stability control issue to be aware of: on certain vehicles, the sensor that feeds information to the electronic stability system was installed incorrectly during assembly. That sensor helps the system detect rapid changes in direction, so when it is misaligned, the stability control can respond incorrectly during hard braking or a sharp turn, making the vehicle behave unpredictably in moments when stable handling matters most.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. Humidity and temperature changes can degrade the inflator's propellant over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood safety and lock systems may malfunction, allowing the hood to open unexpectedly while the vehicle is driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect, clean, and lubricate the hood systems. If the latch still doesn't work properly, they'll replace it. Then they'll install an improved hood safety and lock system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Vehicle Dynamic Control G-sensor may have been installed incorrectly during assembly, affecting how the vehicle handles during hard braking, sudden turns, or quick maneuvers. This could cause unexpected reactions or instability, potentially leading to loss of control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the VDC G-sensor and reinstall it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
