Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2010 Subaru TribecaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2010 Subaru Tribeca. Most complaints involve electrical system (4) and structure (2). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Jan 2019
Owner complaints
8
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V009000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V008000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V007000
See all 10 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 1, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2010 – Dec 2017
  1. Electrical system4
  2. Structure2
  3. Air bags1
  4. Power train1
  5. Service brakes1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tribeca model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200830
200914
20108
20114
20124
20133
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 1, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SUDDENLY SMELLED SMOKE SO SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND IT WAS COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR. LUCKILY TWO GUYS DRIVING BUY STOPPED AND HAPPEN TO WORK FOR HONDA AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER THEN THE POLICE AND TOE TRUCK CAME AND TOOK THE CAR AWAY. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS COMPLETELY RUINED AS WELL AS MY 2 KIDS CAR SEATS AND THE WHOLE INTERIOR IN THE CAR FROM THE FIRE AND EXTINGUISHER AS WELL AS OTHER INTERIOR OF THE CAR THAT WAS AFFECTED. PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE CAME TO CHECK THE CAR SINCE SUBARU OF AMERICA DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE BLAME WITHOUT THE INSURANCE COMING AND PLACING THE BLAME ON THEM FIRST THIS IS DEFINITELY SUBARUS FAULT AND THE CAR MUST HAVE FAULTY WIRING OR A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2014Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10610780

Structure

2 reports
“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE 2010 SUBARU TRIBECA OPENED AND CAME BACK FAR ENOUGH TO BREAK THE WINDSHIELD. THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. POLICE WAS CALLED TO FILE A REPORT. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2015StructureODI 10681361

Air bags

1 report
“TAKATA RECALL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2017Air bagsODI 11051765
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 1, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 1, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tribeca AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
  • Tribeca AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 1, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Subaru Tribeca as of Nov 1, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 1, 2026Vehicle 5495
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Tribeca questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Subaru Tribeca have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 1, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Subaru Tribeca problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (4), structure (2), air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Subaru Tribeca get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Subaru Tribeca at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 1, 2026