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Subaru Tribeca: EZ36 H6 timing chain secondary tensioner failure

EZ36 H6 timing chain secondary tensioner failure is a common engine fault on the Subaru Tribeca on the 2008–2014 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,800 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 12 documented faults on the Subaru Tribeca.

Vehicle
Subaru Tribeca
Engine
EZ36
Years
2008–2014
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
auto
System
Engine

This page covers the Subaru Tribeca as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Subaru Tribeca faults12 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

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

How to check it

Where to look. Secondary timing chain tensioners and guides, front of EZ36 flat-six engine

Cold-start the engine immediately and listen for chain rattle from the front of the engine. Rattle that clears with oil pressure is an early warning; rattle that persists indicates advanced tensioner wear. Scan for VVT fault codes. Review service history for oil change frequency and any timing chain or tensioner work.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$1,800 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the timing chain or tensioners been replaced?”
  • “Is there any cold-start rattle from the engine?”
  • “How frequently was the engine oil changed and at what mileage is the vehicle now?”

Now check the Subaru Tribeca you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Subaru Tribeca buyer questions

Is ez36 h6 timing chain secondary tensioner failure serious on a Subaru Tribeca?

We rate it major and common on the Subaru Tribeca. 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.

How much does it cost to fix on a Subaru Tribeca?

$1,800 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Subaru Tribeca years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2008–2014 Subaru Tribeca. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Cold-start the engine immediately and listen for chain rattle from the front of the engine. Rattle that clears with oil pressure is an early warning; rattle that persists indicates advanced tensioner wear. Scan for VVT fault codes. Review service history for oil change frequency and any timing chain or tensioner work. Look here: Secondary timing chain tensioners and guides, front of EZ36 flat-six engine