2014 Subaru Tribeca
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD Base/Limited/Premier
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- 189.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,220 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 284 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 17% below the 2014 small SUV average of 21.8 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2014 Subaru Tribeca is a small SUV offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,220 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 21 highway), 17% worse than the 2014 small SUV average of 21.8 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file.
What changed for 2014
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2013 Tribeca — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 Tribeca →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD Base/Limited/Premier | 189.8 in | 74.4 in | 66.5 in | 108.3 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 4,220 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribeca AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | -17% | $3,700 | 490 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Subaru Tribeca SUV AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
Similar 2014 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Subaru Tribeca (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2014 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2014 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2014 Subaru Forester | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2014 Toyota Highlander | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 18 |
| 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe | 23 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
Recalls (4)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V007000 · 43,394 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V009000 · 452,630 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V008000 · 330,120 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · Feb 3, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V060000 · 77,017 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Tribeca vehicles manufactured November 16, 2004, to January 27, 2014. Due to a possible malfunction of the hood safety system and hood lock system, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
- Risk
- If the hood unexpectedly opens while driving, it may interfere with the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will complete this recall in two phases. Phase one will involve inspection, cleaning, and lubricating the hood safety and hood lock systems. If after this is performed the hood latch does not operate properly, it will be replaced with a new current style part. Phase two will involve installing an improved hood safety system and hood lock system. Interim notification was mailed March 4, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQX-59 (phase one) and WQY-60 (phase two).
Not every 2014 Subaru Tribeca is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Tribeca in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2014 Subaru Tribeca buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Tribeca. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Tribeca years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Tribeca | 18 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 6 | 3 |
| 2012 Tribeca | 18 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 Tribeca | 18 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 8 | 2 |
| 2010 Tribeca | 18 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 10 | 2 |
| 2009 Tribeca | 18 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 8 | 2 |
| 2008 Tribeca | 18 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 8 | 10 |
| 2007 Tribeca | 18 | – | Not rated | 8 | 3 |
| 2006 Tribeca | 18 | – | Not rated | 8 | 5 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →