Subaru B9 Tribeca: common faults & what to check

Which Subaru B9 Tribeca are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Fuel not stated

2 variants documented

2006–2014WX2006–2014WX3.0 boxer-6Fuel not statedDocumented issues7 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: OSX via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

2006–2014WX2006–2014WX3.6 boxer-6Fuel not statedDocumented issues7 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: OSX via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Subaru B9 Tribeca

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Subaru B9 Tribeca before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Inspect the rubber boot for cracking or grease weeping.

  See why

  Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear

  The front lower control arm ball joints on the Tribeca are a known wear item that deteriorates on higher-mileage examples, particularly in vehicles used in areas with gravel roads or where the front suspension has been subjected to kerb impacts. Worn ball joints introduce vague steering, clunking over bumps, and in advanced cases create an MOE WOF rejection point due to measurable play; complete ball joint failure poses a serious safety risk as it causes immediate loss of steering control.

  What you would notice

  • Clunking or knocking noise from the front suspension when traversing speed humps or rough road surfaces
  • Vague or imprecise steering feel with the wheel wandering at highway speed
  • Vibration or shimmy felt through the steering wheel at low speeds over uneven surfaces

  Typically $600–$1,400 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Drive at steady 70–80 km/h on a flat road with light throttle and note any vibration or rapid pulsing through the drivetrain or seat.

  See why

  5-Speed Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Shudder

  The TZ1B4ZFAAA five-speed automatic transmission paired with both Tribeca engines is subject to torque converter lock-up clutch shudder, typically occurring at light throttle between 60–90 km/h as the converter transitions in and out of lock-up. The shudder is often misdiagnosed as engine misfire and is caused by friction material degradation on the lock-up clutch lining, worsened by infrequent transmission fluid changes or the use of non-genuine ATF.

  What you would notice

  • Rapid vibration or judder felt through the floor and seat at light throttle cruise between 60 and 90 km/h
  • Shudder disappears when accelerating firmly or when cruise control is disengaged and throttle is lifted
  • Dark or burnt-smelling transmission fluid on dipstick

  Typically $1,500–$4,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold-start the engine immediately and listen for chain rattle from the front of the engine.

  See why

  EZ36 H6 timing chain secondary tensioner failure

  The 3.6-litre EZ36 flat-six in the Tribeca uses a multi-stage timing chain with primary and secondary tensioners. The secondary tensioners are known to wear and lose preload, causing chain rattle on cold starts and in advanced cases chain guide breakage and chain jump. The same fault is documented on the Outback 3.6R of the same era which shares the drivetrain. Repair is highly labour-intensive due to the H6 packaging, requiring significant front-end disassembly.

  What you would notice

  • Cold-start timing chain rattle from the front of the engine, clearing after 15 to 30 seconds
  • Persistent rattle at idle or light load after warm-up in advanced cases
  • Check engine light with VVT or cam timing fault codes
  • Rough idle or hesitation from VVT operation on a worn chain

  Typically $1,800–$3,200 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Inspect the underside of the power steering pump body for wet or dried power steering fluid residue.

  See why

  Power Steering Pump Shaft Seal Leak

  The hydraulic power steering pump fitted to Tribeca models develops weeping or active leaks at the main shaft seal on higher-mileage units, resulting in power steering fluid loss onto the engine bay underside. Continued operation with low fluid causes pump whine and accelerated rack seal deterioration; if the fluid contacts hot exhaust components, a fire risk exists.

  What you would notice

  • Whining or groaning noise from the engine bay that intensifies when turning the steering wheel to full lock
  • Visible reddish or clear fluid weeping from the pump body or collecting on the subframe below
  • Power steering fluid reservoir requiring top-up between service intervals

  Typically $450–$1,200 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Drive at 80-100 km/h on a smooth road and gently weave left and right to load and unload each front bearing.

  See why

  Front and Rear Wheel Bearing Failure

  The B9/WX Tribeca, being a heavier AWD SUV, places significant load on its wheel bearings and is documented for front wheel bearing failure as the most common presentation, with rear bearings also wearing in high-mileage examples. Front bearing failure typically presents as a roaring noise that worsens when turning in one direction at highway speed. The Tribeca's weight and AWD system accelerate bearing wear compared to lighter Subaru models. Replacement requires a hub puller and bearing press, making it a workshop-only job.

  What you would notice

  • Roaring noise from front of vehicle at highway speed
  • Noise intensifies when turning right at speed, suggesting left front bearing
  • Noise intensifies when turning left at speed, suggesting right front bearing
  • Vibration through steering wheel at sustained highway speed

  Typically $400–$800 to put right.

• Worth checking

  Inspect the rear differential housing for oil seepage at the pinion seal on the front of the diff and both side output shaft seals.

  See why

  Rear differential oil seal leak

  The rear differential on Tribeca models leaks at the pinion seal and side output shaft seals, particularly on higher-mileage vehicles. Seal degradation is accelerated by infrequent differential oil changes and heat cycling. A leaking rear differential left unaddressed can cause differential overheating and eventual ring-and-pinion failure if fluid drops critically low. Seal replacement is straightforward but differential oil must be changed at the same time.

  What you would notice

  • Oil drips or wet patch beneath the rear of the vehicle after parking
  • Oily residue coating the rear differential housing
  • Differential whine or howl in advanced cases where fluid level has dropped
  • Burning oil smell from under the car at operating temperature

  Typically $280–$600 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Subaru B9 Tribeca’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost

Other Subaru models