Photo: Retired electrician, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Retired electrician, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
A 5- or 7-seat SUV with a flat-six engine and permanent all-wheel drive, sold in France from September 2006 to January 2010 (L'argus). It has no Euro NCAP rating (no source mentions a test). On the 3.6, user reports point to oil consumption and leaks: check the maintenance condition, as well as the bonnet recall.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €4,000 – €9,000
- Monthly cost
- €458
- Euro NCAP
- Not tested
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 3.0R 245 ch.
3.0R 245 ch
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 245 hp · 12.3 L/100 km · 291 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
3.0-litre flat-six, 5-speed automatic gearbox, permanent all-wheel drive. Sold in France from 2006 to 2008 (Auto-Selection).
3.6R 258 ch
Petrol · Automatic · 258 hp · Crit'Air 2
3.6-litre flat-six (3,630 cc, 350 Nm), 5-speed automatic gearbox, 5- or 7-seat versions. Put on sale in France in February 2008 (Auto-Selection).
Market prices
€4,000 – €9,000
Indicative range: 2007 to 2010, 60,000 to 336,000 km, online listings from private and dealer sellers aggregated by LeParking.
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Excessive oil consumption (3.6)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyTribeca owners report heavy oil consumption, for example about one litre every 2,000 to 2,400 km according to testimonies (CarGurus, TrueDelta), and Jerry cites a Consumer Reports finding that roughly a quarter of owners complain about it. These are mostly testimonies; no manufacturer bulletin has been found.
- Versions
- 3.6R 258 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Engine oil leaks
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingRocker cover gaskets, the front crankshaft seal and the oil cooler O-ring are cited as frequent leak points on the 3.6 (Au7o); VINCheck also reports rocker cover and timing cover gasket leaks on a 2012 model.
- Versions
- 3.6R 258 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Bonnet can open while driving (recall 16V060000)
Manufacturer recallNHTSA recall 16V060000 (Subaru of America, February 2016): the bonnet safety catch and latch may malfunction, allowing the bonnet to open while driving. It concerns 2006 to 2014 Tribecas; the remedy has two phases (cleaning and greasing, then a new system). This is a US recall: check whether it has been applied through a Subaru dealership using the chassis number.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 3.0R 245 ch, 3.6R 258 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Subaru Tribeca”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €303 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €64 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €65 |
| Total per month | €458 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Insurance: average for a closely related model (other generation or same platform).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€303
3.0R 245 ch version: combined consumption of 12.3 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
12.3 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €303
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€64
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€65
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Subaru Tribeca I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Check the oil level when cold, ask for the history of top-ups, and look underneath the engine (gasket leaks, oil cooler).
- Check with the chassis number that the bonnet recall (16V060000) has been carried out.
- Road test: automatic gearbox without jerks or slipping, especially when warm.
- Check the service book: regular oil changes and invoices.
- According to the advert, confirm 5 or 7 seats: only the top-of-the-range versions have 7 seats (Honest John).
Questions to ask the seller
- How much oil is being consumed, and how often do you top it up?
- Has the bonnet recall been carried out? Do you have proof of the work?
- Have the oil leaks been repaired, and by whom?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Subaru Forester
IV (SJ) · 2013–2019
- Price
- €10,490 – €18,990
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Nissan X-Trail
III (T32) · 2014–2022
- Price
- €10,000 – €29,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota RAV4
IV · 2012–2018
- Price
- €9,500 – €19,600
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hyundai Santa Fe
IV · 2018–2023
- Price
- €24,900 – €32,700
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Subaru Tribeca I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Subaru Tribeca?
None: launch tests indicate that Euro NCAP did not test it, and Parkers does not publish data. In the United States, the NHTSA gave it five stars for frontal and side impact for the 2008 model year.
Until when was the Tribeca sold in France?
From September 2006 to January 2010 according to L'argus; in 2010, Subaru France explained that it had withdrawn the Tribeca and several petrol versions in favour of diesel.
What is the Tribeca's boot capacity?
1,065 litres behind the second row and 2,107 litres at most according to Encycarpedia and TrueDelta; the sources differ (another gives 525 to 1,670 litres).
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