# 2009 Subaru Tribeca #- Known problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** subaru\ **Created:** [April 14, 2021, 12:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149 "2021-04-14T12:14:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LoLo37](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@LoLo37](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoLo37)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 12:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/1 "2021-04-14T12:14:39Z")
I am looking to buy a 2009 Subaru Tribeca w/ 58,000 are there any know problems with this model? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 12:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/2 "2021-04-14T12:27:17Z")
It is an 11 year old vehicle and they all did not have the same problems . The standard answer here is pay a shop to inspect the vehicle to see if there are any current things wrong. That is not going to guarantee you will not have problems but it does put the odds in your favor. . Besides the problems may have been fixed . ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/3 "2021-04-15T00:20:52Z")
Statistically, power train, brakes, electrical, and engine/cooling system. [2009 Subaru Tribeca - Problems, Statistics, and Analysis](https://www.carproblemzoo.com/subaru/tribeca/2009/) That specific vehicle will probably have its own unique issues. Among other things, it’s only been driven about 5,000 miles a year so it’s spent a lot of time sitting or making short trips. Neither is particularly good for a vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 12:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/4 "2021-04-15T12:46:37Z")
At 12 y.o. there is no substitute for having it inspected by a mechanic. There is no way we can tell what’s what, sight unseen. Personally, I wouldn’t touch a Subaru that’s out of warranty. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/5 "2021-04-15T21:56:26Z")
A mechanic familiar with Subaru’s should give the Tribeca a once over, it’s the same as a H6 Outback just with a 3rd row. How well it’s been maintained is what i’d focus on. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/6 "2021-04-15T22:31:16Z")
Exactly My H6 2001 Outback was bulletproof for the 100k+ miles that I owned it, and my H6 2011 Outback has been bulletproof so far. As of today, it has 109k+ miles on the odometer, and the only repair that it has needed over the past 10 years was the replacement of its WW reservoir–under warranty. But, I maintain my vehicles properly… The OP needs to have this Tribeca inspected by a qualified mechanic (translation: **not** by the folks at Firestone, Pep Boys, Sears, Midas, Meineke, Monro, or any other chain/franchise operation.) If a _competent_ mechanic can verify that it has been properly-maintained and is not in need of imminent repairs, then it is probably a decent candidate for purchase. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2021, 12:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/7 "2021-04-16T12:56:14Z")
Is name a Manhattan reference? If so, why? No Subaru’s allowed in Manhattan. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/8 "2021-04-16T15:09:23Z")
Tribeca is a trendy neighborhood in Manhattan, so… why not? ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2021, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/9 "2021-04-16T18:24:06Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > my H6 2011 Outback has been bulletproof so far lucky you 🙂 6-cylinder design… before the last wave of “gadgets” additions… I would hold to that Subaru for few more years. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/10 "2021-04-16T20:04:42Z")
So, is 09 better? Worse? Same? OPs selection has low miles. Which can be a red flag. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2021, 3:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-tribeca-known-problems/176149/11 "2021-04-17T03:31:00Z")
You’d need compare it to a similar year H6 Outback, just because they really didn’t sell all that many, Best year ever was 2006.Data from [Goodcarbadcar.net](http://Goodcarbadcar.net). Mileage is low per year but not unusual. We just don’t know how well it was maintained. ### SUBARU TRIBECA – US – BY YEAR | Year | sold | | --- | --- | | 2005 | 14,797 | | 2006 | 18,614 | | 2007 | 16,790 | | 2008 | 10,975 | | 2009 | 5,930 | | 2010 | 2,572 | | 2011 | 2,791 | | 2012 | 2,252 | | 2013 | 1,598 | | 2014 | 732 |