Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving on the highway about 65-70 MPH and my hood flew open striking the windshield causing me to drive into a guard rail. Currently experiencing neck and back issues. I was never notified of this recall.
On February 23, 2018, the hood latch was repaired due to a hood latch recall. This was with the new hood latch. It was Friday June 6, 2018, a little past 0600, I was on my way to work. I was driving on a two lane county highway, doing between 60-65, with cruise control on. I had driven about 4 miles from home when the hood suddenly flew open,and shattered the windshield. I was able to slow down and move to the shoulder. Thankfully no one else was in the vicinity. After I got out of my vehicle I closed the hood, it took a lot of effort. I noticed my vehicle was near the end of a guardrail and there was a gravel area, so I moved my car off the road. While I the vehicle I noticed that it was raining glass. I grabbed my work gear and jumped out. My car was towed to a repair shop, and I was given a ride to work.
While driving at approx 35mph, hood opened and came back far enough to break windshield, completely blocking drivers view of road and traffic near a very busy intersection. Upon closer inspection, it appears primary hood latch failed and secondary safety latch also failed allowing condition to exist. Secondary hood latch had become disconnected from hood but still securely latched to body of vehicle. Secondary latch appeared to have been attached to hood with lightweight plastic trim retainers which became brittle when cold. Outside temperature at the time of incident was approx 10 degrees f. Hood had been opened earlier in the day then the vehicle was operated approx 10-15 miles at interstate and city speeds then parked for ~8 hours before incident occurred.
Just finished washing the car outside the my garage, I then moved it inside the garage to clean and vacuum inside. 30 mins later, a strong burning smell and smoke came out from the left rear passenger puddle light area. I have to quickly call 911, and before 911 arrival I managed to open the hood and disconnected the battery and the smoke stopped. There was still a strong smile in the air when 911 came. 911 recommended towing it to the dealership connected the battery and drove it outside where it could be easily tow. Just lucky to be in the garage when this incident occurred otherwise it could have burn the house. This vehicle (Subaru Tribeca b6 is nothing but a disaster), the dealer/manufacturer rendered no support whatsoever.
While traveling at 65 MPH on a multi-lane highway, the hood flew open, shattered the windshield and lodged open, completely blocking my vision. I was able the slow down and pull into the left breakdown lane. Had this happened two minutes earlier or later I would not have had the left lane option. Two minutes earlier there was a left lane merge and two minutes later was a ramp with no breakdown lane. I understand this problem has been reported by others with this make, model and year. Apparently the plastic clips holding the hoods are failing. These cars need to be pulled off the road asap before someone gets hurt.
We had been on the road for approximately an hour and 15 minutes, traveling at a speed of approximately 55 MPH, when suddenly the hood popped open and smashed into the windshield, leaving me to blindly navigate, under stress and pressure, to the right shoulder. Miraculously, we were not injured physically, but suffered from shock and were quite dumbfounded over the incident. We have seen numerous accounts of this same thing happening, and would like to know why there has been no recall on the 2 hood latches that failed.
While driving on a highway at 70 MPH, the hood latch on my 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca failed, causing the hood to fly up and shatter the windshield. Luckily, there was nobody near me at the time and I was able to veer off onto the median without further incident. When I had it repaired, the body shop installed an entirely new design for the hood latch system. If Subaru altered the design of the hood latch for repairs, then it should have been a recall for existing cars.
While traveling at approximately 35 miles per hour on a city street, the hood of my Tribeca popped open and completely obscured my view of the road. After pulling over to the side of the road I attempted to close the hood, but without success. One of the plastic anchors holding the safety latch in place had broken which allowed the safety latch to rotate in place.
The hood flew open while driving on the expressway, smashing the windshield. I had to move over 3 lanes in heavy speeding traffic to the shoulder. I had my standard poodle in the back seat. Trying to stay calm to get over onto the shoulder. Another driver stopped to see if was alright.
Takata recall infleter on ,my Subaru Tribeca its a problem I have to go grosery chopping with my family I put my family back in the and my chopping bag on the passenger sit to be safe in case of a accident you know!!!!
Body complaints in other B9 Tribeca years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca, 32% of the model year's 84 complaints. The component named most often is body (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.