2008 Tribeca Quirks and mechanical issues

bmm34

I have a 2008 Tribeca 5 pass Ltd with 36,000 miles and I'm starting to think I should dump the vehicle. I have the following issues that are driving me nuts:
1. clanking noise in the transmission when I put it in reverse on a slight incline. The dealership said to monitor the problem because we still have warranty left. Because I imported the vehicle I would have to pay the $6,000 to change the transmission and then get reimbursed from the US. This alone is reason enough to dump it.
2. Faint beeping noise when ever I reach just over 100Km an hour or 60 Miles an hour. It's a short faint beep but it drives me crazy. Does anyone else experience this? Subaru said they never heard of such a beep???
3. Break light goes on when I'm accelerating around a right turn to get on a highway. It goes off 5 seconds later.
4. The front dash rattles in the far right corner. I had the windshield replaced and I think they must have busted clip that holds the dash in place in that far corner. It's a really annoying.
5. Just the other day I was driving it for about an hour on the highway and then went into the city. I was going around a corner and I started to hear a whistle sound that varied in intensity. I shut off the radio and the heating system and it still persisted. I stopped and opened up the hood and couldn't hear anything. For some reason I could only hear the whistling in the cabin. I shut the vehicle off and the whistling continued for approx 5 minutes and then I need to leave for an appointment. It hasn't happened sense.
6. When I slowly accelerate up a hill going about 40-60 miles an hour the car chugs. After some research I thought it could be the torque converter that is mentioned on this site. I took it to the dealer and they said they could get it to replicate the issue. The recommended keeping an eye on it because its covered under warranty for awhile yet.
I've had the stabilizers replaced in the back to get rid of the lift gate rattle. I've had the bushings replaced in the front to get rid of the rattle when I go over average bumps you get in city driving. My 10 year old Honda Accord is tighter than the 2008 Tribeca.

I love the all wheel drive but all these quirks and mechanical issues are crazy. Likely I imported the car when the CDN $ was strong and only paid $33,000 CDN all in. There is NO WAY I would pay the $46,000 plus delivery and taxes ($52,000) CDN for the vehicle from a CDN dealership. This brand is grossly over priced in canada.

stevepvca

Anyone know where to purchase an after market gill for an 08 Tribeca?

cskip

My Tribeca has started changing the temperature and fan speed settings on its own. I start out with air conditioning and the dual temperature controls set to 65 and the fan on any setting. The car changes to heat - runs both the driver and passenger temperatures up to 85, and the fan speeds up and down on its own,. Eventually the controls do not work at all. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

gregphill

I can only make the temp go down and the fan speed go up no matter what direction I turn the knob....did you ever figure out what it was? I have had a few problems under dash since I bought it, on my 3rd stereo, the lights on the temp and mode went out??? Those came back on their own but I am now out of warranty, hope they will look at it like the same issue???

cougarsfc10

I have a 2008 Subaru Tribeca.. One day I turned on the vehicle and the Check Engine light, Traction Control (off) light came on and the Cruise Control light began flashing!!!

I don't have any problems driving the car but I decided I needed to have it checked out!

I put one of theose OBD thingies on it and it came back with an error code E9???

E9: Transmission
00: Code

Does anyone know what this means?? I can't find this code anywhere!!!!

gunny8

We also have a 2008 Tribeca with similar issues i.e. 1) Had to replace the torque converter 2) Puddle Lamps have wiring issues 3) Air conditioner works when it wants to (the dealer had it for several days and said they couldn't find a problem) 4) The heated drivers seat came on the other day and I couldn't shut it off. I stopped and turned off the engine and re-started it and the issue was gone??? 5) The pulleys and belt broke and it took them a week to get the parts!!! 6) We have replaced both head light bulbs (one twice) and both rear tail light bulbs
I believe this is our 5th Subaru and it's been one problem after the other? The Foresters we had and the old Legacy never had these kind of issues? Unfortunately this will be our last Subaru.

seven_ups

Subject: 2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited

Upon reaching the approximate 65,000-mile mark, the following failures occurred, seemingly in unison:

- Driver-side air conditioning failed ( the unit was blowing ambient temperature air, with no cooling ); followed within two months, by the passenger side.

- Bushing failure, resulting in front-end rattle.

- Heat shield deterioration: heat shields failed simultaneously, rattling at the resonant frequency corresponding to ~ 2000 RPM.

- Strong vibration transmitted through steering wheel when braking; inspection revealed no problems with brake pads, rotors not out of round.

- Rattle upon closing driver-side door; a condition which has been discussed in this forum in the past.

This vehicle was driven modestly - never aggressively - throughout its entire service in our possession: high-octane fuel ( 93 ), Mobil-1 synthetic oil, regular vehicle maintenance at dealer, and so forth.

This vehicle was traded for another new, non-Subaru product. It is to be noted that the Tribeca has apparently been discontinued ( 2013 reported to be the final production year ) by Subaru - if true, not a model year too soon.

morey000

2007 Tribeca. 63Kmi Only real problem I've had with it was the front end bushings. Was getting a pretty good clunk when going over bumps. Took it in for its 60K maintenance. wow- spark plug change is expensive- they charged me like 3.5hrs labor! anyway- $1K later, the bushings were fixed, the fluids all changed, new plugs, valve check, and a few other minor things, like a water pump seal. Tucson Subie did it in one day, gave me a nice outback as a loaner. Expensive- but a positive experience. Not bad- as it's the only money I've put into the vehicle in nearly 7 years.

There are very few other vehicles out there that I'd be interested in owning. Maybe an X3? Titanium Escape? (ok, I want a Tesla, but it's really unnecessary for me)

xtratuff

The electrical ash panel on my Tribeca works intermittently and the ACC dash light often comes on also. When this happens the wipers do not work either. I'm wondering if there is some electrical module that needs replaced???

morey000

OK- looks like the next problem. My sunroof is having a difficult time closing. making all kinds of bad noises. Looks like more $$ about to be spent.

not that anyone reads this forum anymore, but tried out the aforementioned X3 and Escape. Both too firm of a ride. X3 is spartan and expensive. Escape is reasonably priced, but very plasticy interior and the tech interface on both are just annoying. Love the 2.0L Turbo engines in both of them tho'. Good mileage, plenty of power.

ateixeira

What about a Forester XT?

Escape may seem small after living with a 'beca.

Urabus2008

1 bought a 08 Tribeca Limited and it had a 134k. I have totally replaced all suspension, and some brake components all around. I smoked the engine at 144k due to the oil cooler seal, replaced engine for it for 4k. I now have 223k and keep an eye and ear out, but since the engine, the rest has been routine. I absolutely love it, It's a beast. I work heavy highway and I go where most wouldn't, mudding, hill climbing, and running down our new unopened highways 125 MPH, country roads get eaten up, and the ride it smooth, and getting 40 to 50k out of the tires. I must of lucked out with this one.

xwesx

Urabus2008 said:

1 bought a 08 Tribeca Limited and it had a 134k. I have totally replaced all suspension, and some brake components all around. I smoked the engine at 144k due to the oil cooler seal, replaced engine for it for 4k. I now have 223k and keep an eye and ear out, but since the engine, the rest has been routine. I absolutely love it, It's a beast. I work heavy highway and I go where most wouldn't, mudding, hill climbing, and running down our new unopened highways 125 MPH, country roads get eaten up, and the ride it smooth, and getting 40 to 50k out of the tires. I must of lucked out with this one.

That sounds great! I wouldn't mind running a closed course at 125....

I took a look at an '06 (with the 3L H6) a month or so back, but that poor thing had been through hell, and I just didn't feel like fielding another project.