2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #2

Jan 132020

Tribeca

  • 59,000 miles
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 miles. The warning lights went off. Drove the next day and for several days with no incidence. Occurred again when on the highway the next week. On the Subaru owners forum found several other owners with similar problems. They stated that the Subaru dealers called it a known issue with the 5eat transmission. The vehicle only has 59,000 miles. Dealer solution is a $2000 valve body. Drives normally for short distances and at slower speeds. When the problem occurs no power is transmitted to the wheels. Unsafe situation.

- Hammond, IN, USA

problem #1

Sep 302017

Tribeca

  • 66,000 miles
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 speeds on highway and at slow speeds in traffic. Results in total engine shut down and requires time for engine restart. Highly dangerous. Occurs randomly and without warning. Crash hazard. First issue 9/28. Total stall on major highway 9/30. Cannot be driven without stall. Two attempted repairs before identified. Subaru dealer confirmed known issue for that year but has not been sufficiently reported for this car to help cover repair. Repair estimated at $5000 to replace part and rebuild transmission.

- Newton, MA, USA