Subaru B9 Tribeca: Problems & Solutions

harvpt · August 2006

Same here!! :shades:

cluelesspa · August 2006

same here, dealer could not hear the issue ... its like a something lose in the air vent behind the center dash console. but I am able to only hear with the AC on. with the FAN system turned OFF there is no sound. Also with the AC turned on RECIRCULATE the sound also goes away.

it has nothing to do with bumps in the road. it must be something with the outside air vent.

to me it sounds like a loose ball rolling in a felt padded wooden box slowly...

cluelesspa · August 2006

issue is still there but it only takes one or two tries and window comes back up. very very intermittant...

jerrys2 · August 2006

Never heard a loose ball rolling in a felt padded wooden box...LOL but it could be the same noise we are talking about. Sometime ago Subaru had a rep monitor this board ( Patti) and she would address issues such as this. Not surprised the dealer could not here the issue, this is usually the response in matters such as this.

It would be nice if SOA rep could add their thoughts to this discussion, however this is not likely. Juice is the closest thing we have, perhaps he has a thought.

Jerry

ateixeira · August 2006

That's very specific to the Tribeca, and unfortunately I don't own one.

Clearly the resolution here is for you folks to pool together and buy me a Tribeca. I promise to disassemble the HVAC and try to track down the culprit.

But seriously, my guess is one of the flaps that directs the air to different paths must not be totally secure. Not sure if there's an easy fix for that. Just a SWAG.

-juice

lisao · August 2006

Mine will be for sale in 2 years. I"ll mention your idea to the dealership, I live there anyway!!

jerrys2 · August 2006

Thanks Juice, suspect your guess is a good one ... I will continue to monitor now that I have some idea where the problem might reside. By the way we both joined this forum on the same date April 13, 2001. Since then I have purchased 2 Subarus (Forester and Tribeca ) and a Saab. Tribeca is by far the best of the bunch.

.

Jerry

stever · August 2006

Actually the registration system was reset in April '01 (or something like that) - lots of older members "joined" around then. I think Juice was here two weeks before the forum doors opened back in 1996 or so.

ateixeira · August 2006

I've been around since early '98, just after I bought my Forester.

Interiors are more quiet so we notice things more. Jeep had a big problem with Dana axles because the Grand Cherokee got quieter. It was the same axle on the previous generation, but noone noticed before because there was enough ambient noise.

Plus, I bet now that we'd talked about it, you listen for it.

-juice

khn · August 2006

Does anyone know if we can change the odometer from mile to km. I'm bringing the car to Canada.

Thank you.

ccacp · August 2006

Merci Beaucoup pour l'information. Enjoy your Tribeca!

nhsteve · August 2006

I have been away on business for a few weeks... sorry. The dealer in Somerswoth was able to reproduce the problem and made the reapir the same day. They replaced the switch assemply. No prblem since. Thanks. Steve

cluelesspa · August 2006

well they swapped the switch as well but I had the problem yesterday when I pulled up to a toll booth. it went down but I had to pull up on the switch 2 times before the window came back up. its happened twice so far since they swapped switches

both times it came up after lifting the switch only twice in a row and the third time the window came up.

sdhjf · August 2006

I am looking for anyone who has heard and had fixed the rattle in the dash that sounds like a cable hitting against metal. It is intermittent but over time occurs more often and for longer periods. This noise occurs upon breaking, accelerating and at freeway speeds. For example, upon breaking, the tapping can be hear for two or three seconds.
My car has been at the dealer on two different occasions for this problem. Each time I left it for several days. This latest attempt to fix it has been for more than a week. Is anyone else out there who has experienced this problem and had it successfully resolved. I was not happy with the prospect of having local mechanics tear the car down but the noise was getting louder and more persistent.

mbogdan · August 2006

I have had the same problem from the beginning, they were not able to locate it or fix it after 3 visits to the dealership. Now I have the rattle coming from the dashboard area and some strange sound coming from AC when turned to auto

cluelesspa · August 2006

if its the purculator type sound in the AC that was described by others. I have not found a fix yet for my vehicle. its been in twice for that issue. its something to do with the AC and the outside air vent as it doesnt occur when the AC is on recirculate or the air blower turned OFF. this is not speed dempendent or bump related.

the other rattle i had was a kind of short squeek sound. it came from the front hood not being mounted straight and torquing when hitting bumps. but it doesnt sound like the tapping your talking about. they did fix that ... the subaru rep ended up riding around with the car hood up with his head leaning out to listen while the tech drove my SUV around the lot.... they realligned the hood and all was fixed!

robotb9 · August 2006

I ran into this at techinfo.subaru.com. Could be the "percolating" noise that's been described here. This is the description:

Noise from Center Vent Area

Service Bulletin #10-76-06
Pages: 2

Bulletin Description: The purpose of this bulletin is to address a possible customer concern relating to a "tapping or gurgling" type noise heard from the center vent area when operating the A/C on either defroster or heat mode. With those settings, the wind velocity in the drain hose increases by internal pressure of the HVAC system. The noise occurs when condensed water droplets hit the side of the drain hose. The noise is more pronounced with high humid conditions. To eliminate the noise, an orifice will need to be installed at the end of the drain hose.

robotb9 · August 2006

I got a letter from my dealer today that says in part, "This letter is to inform you your vehicle may qualify for Subaru Campaign WWZ-10 to repair your vehicle." It doesn't explain that Campaign WWZ-10 is, but I found info at techinfo.subaru.com. This sounds like the problem many of us have experienced with the rear hatch struts, especially in cold weather. I wonder how they'll evaluate my vehicle when I bring it in. The hatch stays up OK in warm weather. Here's the description:

Rear Gate Stays

Campaign Bulletin #WWZ-10
Pages: 9

Bulletin Description: Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that certain 2006MY Subaru B9 Tribeca models require rear gate stay inspection and/or replacement.

The tailgate support stays installed on affected vehicles may not provide the total amount of support intended. Over time, the amount of support the stays provide may diminish, resulting in more effort needed to open and close the tailgate. It is also possible that the tailgate may unexpectedly begin to move downward after being placed in an upright position.

This service program will involve the inspection and/or replacement of both rear gate stays on affected vehicles. Please refer to the Service Procedure section of this bulletin for more details.

cluelesspa · September 2006

EXCELLENT FIND! I will bring that to their attention when I bring it in in October for the updated DVD NAV disk... suposedly released in October.

this definitely sounds like it could be my issue.

thanks

cluelesspa · September 2006

here is a link to the Tech builitins. there is one about the uneven dash ...

http://techinfo.subaru.com/html/ixSearchKwBu.jsp?model_year=2006&vehicle_line=B9- - +Tribeca&publication_type=16&text_keyword=&keyword=&bulletin=3

Click the "?" to see what each one is about.

megreyhair · September 2006

I got a letter too. The problem has been around for awhile. I wish my dealer woulda say something when I bought the car in last week. grrrrrr... Now I have to make another trip...

sdhjf · September 2006

OK, my car has been at the dealer for for nearly a week now looking for the rattle. I believe the new service manager found the problem and the car is now at the body show. Their is a bracket on the firewall that holds something called the "dog bone" which is part of the engine mount system. The problem is the bracket looks OK but the spot welds behind it are defective. The car is in the shop to get the bracket re-welded to the firewall. While I don't know if this is the cure, but it sounds very likely, based on the sound, to be the problem. Apparently, Subaru has pictures of the fix, but the word is not getting out to the mechanics. This service manager found it on another Tribeca after days of looking including complete dismantling of the interior of the other car.

sdhjf · September 2006

OK, my car has been at the dealer for for nearly a week now looking for the rattle. I believe the new service manager found the problem and the car is now at the body shop. Their is a bracket on the firewall that holds something called the "dog bone" which is part of the engine mount system. The problem is the bracket looks OK but the spot welds behind it are defective. The car is in the shop to get the bracket re-welded to the firewall. While I don't know if this is the cure, but it sounds very likely, based on the sound, to be the problem. Apparently, Subaru has pictures of the fix, but the word is not getting out to the mechanics. This service manager found it on another Tribeca after days of looking including complete dismantling of the interior of the other car.

ateixeira · September 2006

Glad they found something, let us know how it sounds (or hopefully doesn't!) when you get it back.

-juice

occking · September 2006

Although I love my Tribeca, this vehicle is the absolute worst car I have ever owned, with respect to visibility outside rear window and on the sides towards the back. Maybe the Chrysler Pacifica comes close.

At any rate, is anyone aware if one can purchase rear view camera, or sensors, or something that would help. I have the Nav so maybe there is aftermarket device that would work?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

ateixeira · September 2006

Someone just mentioned the camera model that is used is now sold seperately, but noone has had one installed yet.

-juice

pschreck · September 2006

Back-up sensors are available from your dealer. Just a simple tone warning, no visual indicator of any kind.

I do agree that visibility from the mirrors is lousey. The blind spots are terrible when you're driving on a highway and trying to see during a pass. I put the goofy wide angle stick on mirrors on my outside mirrors.

That said, I do like this car very much.

3dogs3 · September 2006

Wow,I have no problems with visibility. I am one that has poor ability to navigate obstacles under 5 mph. I have had no problems with the B9 visibility. I do though have a great deal of trouble driving my fathers Volvo sedan & my mothers Volvo XC wagon. I would never consider the Volvo after having driven their vehicles for years now.
Good luck with the camera, I hope this helps.

pschreck · September 2006

Really? When I'm traveling down the highway and want to pull into the left lane to pass I have to be extra careful that the lane is clear. I put the wide angle mirrors on to help me to see without having to turn my head. If I adjust the mirror to see wide I can't see the side of my car for reference and if I adjust the mirror to maintain the reference then I can't see into the left lane to be sure it's clear.

I'm fine when parking as I drove a Sequoia for the last five years and got used to parking in small spaces with a monster vehicle. This thing is a piece of cake to park compared to the Sequoia.

norm_p · September 2006

does anyone know how to fix a small (2mm) tear on the side of the passenger door (rear seats) where its kind of foam like. i had an object scrape it and accidentally made a mark

ateixeira · September 2006

I've seen vinyl patch kits, but is it fabric or vinyl that tore?

-juice

norm_p · September 2006

its actually the soft vinyl that extends to where the hinges attached to the side pillar. the vinyl kits i have been researching tho i'm sure if it will work effectively. i called the dealership and they are going to look at it. the material is pretty soft.

nspringer · September 2006

Funny, but the way I learned was to look over my shoulder before changing lanes. Maybe that's the problem...

occking · September 2006

Pep Boys does have a color, wireless camera selling this month for $139 or so. Apparently camera mounts on license plate. Going to check it out.

I have been driving for many years and never, ever gotten into an accident. Quite remarkable since I put on over 30,000 miles per year and have done for for quite some time. However, the visibility in the back & sides of this car is the absolute worst I have ever had in a vehicle. Already have had a few close calls. I don't know if it was because I am not as careful as I should have been, but there sure is something about this car that makes for very poor visibility.

pschreck · September 2006

You shouldn't have to look over your left shoulder to pass (I don't believe professional drivers do that). Just as you shouldn't have to turn around and look over your right shoulder to back up. Your mirrors should be sufficient to handle the job.

stever · September 2006

I'm guilty of relying too much on my mirrors too (at least mine are adjusted "right"). My wife had to take a defensive driving course for work a few months back and they still teach looking over your shoulder when changing lanes.

California DMV says "Always look over the proper shoulder before making lane changes or pulling away from the curb."

occking · September 2006

No matter what you do, how well you adjust the mirrors, the Tribeca was designed very poorly with respect to rear and side rear visibility. I am 6' & if I lean car see (barely) over the front end. I can understand how a person shorter than me would have some visibility problems from the front as well.

pschreck · September 2006

Thanks Steve. All things considered, I still believe that my mirrors should be capable of the job. I never had any problem in my Sequoia. Besides, I always thought you guys were gridlocked in CA. :P

Having had a retinal detachment in my left eye 20+ years ago leaves me leary to turn my head hard to the left a lot. Heck, I'm not even supposed to strain on the toilet.

While most vehicles have a blind spot, the one in the Tribeca is a blind spot with tunnel vision. Parking doesn't bother me, but changing lanes to the left is just ugly.

stever · September 2006

I had one of those on my left eye last year (took two ops to fix it in fact). It really does a number on the peripheral vision. I'm in Boise btw, and if you aren't careful changing lanes, an F-350 pulling a 4 horse trailer fifteen miles over the speed limit will take out your Subaru. My Outback is pretty good for visibility though. :shades:

yoyodk · September 2006

I'm actually amazed at the visibility I have in my Tribeca, but that's after driving a Pathfinder for 14 years. To be able to see a vehicle that's behind me in both the rear view and side view mirrors simoultaneously was impossible with my Pathfinder. Any cars to the rear of me would be first in my rear view mirror and then if it changed lanes to pass, would then be temporarily in a blind spot before I would then pick it up in my side view mirror.

I try to always look over my shoulder when changing lanes, I had too many close calls with the Pathfinder. It's going to be hard to defend that you were too lazy to look if you cause an accident...

pschreck · September 2006

Sorry to hear it Steve. I'm a -9 in that eye now. Thank the higher power it wasn't my right eye. I'm a photographer. It left me with tons of "floaters". I was fortunate in that I was working with a retinal photographer at the time and she had me call the local retina specialist. I was on the table that night.

I'll look out for the F-150s. I hear they might be GM/Ford F-150s some day.

stever · September 2006

I have "salmon eggs" in that eye now (leftover debris) but it's only a problem star gazing or trying to pull weeds, otherwise it's 20/20. :shades: I'm not too wild about night driving any more though.

tupin · September 2006

With fall approaching I'm starting to wonder about winter tires. Tirerack lists 17"wheels and tires as a choice. Has anyone tried a higher profile 17" winter wheel and tire combo? Chertainly there are more choices at the 17" size and they are also cheaper.

morey000 · September 2006

re: "I'll look out for the F-150s. I hear they might be GM/Ford F-150s some day."

I think they'll need to call them F-1500's to be fair

pschreck · September 2006

That's funny.

dpoole21 · September 2006

When initially starting in the morning my Tribeca hesitates slightly when giving moderate gas. When putting my foot into the gas, the vehicle actually cuts out and acts like it is going to stall. I drive about 1/2 mile in my subdivision and wait at stop sign for anywher to 5 seconds to a couple of minutes before going up a fairly steep hill where this occurs. Does not do this once warmed up. Dealer checked codes and says no problem. argues we are not using premium gas which we are. are going to leave it overnight and see if he can recreate probelm in morning. any ideas?

robotb9 · September 2006

I once had a similar problem with my 1996 Outback. Turned out to be the coolant temperature sensor.

kmartin · September 2006

Had my 'Beca in about two weeks ago for a sudden AC failure. Turns out it was because a local brake shop I had visited for an oil change had over-added freon. Works fine now, and Subaru covered the service under warranty. Went in today for power door lock failure in driver's door -- actuator failed and the part is on order.

Since I have to make another trip now, I went head and ordered the backup sensors so I can have them installed on the same visit. I had been meaning to do that all summer, because as a teacher there are lots of kids running through the parking lots with their parents in tow. Yesterday we had a tragedy with a little 18-month-old that somehow was run over by her own parent in one of our local schools...the child did not survive. I have no excuse for waiting any longer to have the sensors installed. Wish I could get the camera, too. I'm glad Subaru is taking a positive approach wth the new models.

-Karen in AZ-

dpoole21 · September 2006

How did the dealer determine what the problem was? Did the computer show the problem, or did you go through a lot of parts replacement?

Thanks for the input.

tupin · September 2006

I just have to ask.....why would they be adding any freon? You shouldn't have to touch the AC for a few years!! Not to mention that they might have added the wrong agent....it's not freon anymore....some other more environmentally friendly stuff and you have to be careful to match it correctly. I'm also surprised they covered it under warranty....really they shouldn't have. I might think twice before going back to that brake shop.

So the backup sensors....would they be sensitive enouogh to pick up say a 18 month old behind you? Just curious....it is a great feature.

Subaru B9 Tribeca: Problems & Solutions

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Subaru B9 Tribeca: Problems &amp; Solutions

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Subaru B9 Tribeca: Problems & Solutions