NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 5 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The 2012 Subaru Tribeca has 5 recalls, the most serious being a defective passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a serious injury risk to the passenger, driver, and anyone else inside.
This airbag inflator issue is the subject of multiple recall filings, and prior repair attempts may not have fully resolved the problem for all affected vehicles. The risk is highest in high-humidity climates, which is why several of the filings specifically target vehicles registered in states like Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and Louisiana, along with U.S. territories including Puerto Rico and Guam. If your vehicle was ever registered in one of those areas, it may fall under more than one of these campaigns regardless of where it is now. The inflator inside the passenger airbag module can rupture with excessive force, scattering sharp metal pieces through the front of the cabin rather than deploying a controlled cushion, which makes this one of the more dangerous defects seen across any vehicle platform.
The fifth recall covers the hood latch system. The hood can release unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving, flying up and blocking the driver's forward view entirely, which can cause a crash. This applies to Tribeca vehicles across a wide production window, so most model years of this vehicle are affected.
At a glance
What can fail
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The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation 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 due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure 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.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed 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 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.
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.