2012 Subaru Tribeca — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Subaru Tribeca is an SUV powered by a 3.6L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 22 mpg (UK) / 18 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Subaru Tribeca workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Subaru Tribeca: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 22 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.6L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 99 cu ft (2,803 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 43 cu ft (1,218 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 22 combined / 19 urban / 25 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 18 combined / 16 city / 21 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 307 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,700 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca, all with the 3.6L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/21) | 307 | $3,700 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 99 cubic feet (about 2,803 litres) and luggage volume at 43 cubic feet (about 1,218 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca
Running Costs: 2012 Subaru Tribeca
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Subaru Tribeca at 22 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,653 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,700 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Subaru Tribeca Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Subaru Tribeca (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (5), Structure (1), Exterior lighting (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 19V007000, reported 9 January 2019. 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.
- Air bags — campaign 19V008000, reported 9 January 2019. 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.
- Air bags — campaign 19V009000, reported 9 January 2019. 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.
- Air bags — campaign 18V012000, reported 9 January 2018. 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.
Showing the 4 most recent of 7 campaigns.
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Tribeca. The most-reported areas are Power train (2), Exterior lighting (2), Structure (1).
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (5 recall campaigns) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Lighting (1 recall campaign · 2 owner complaints) — Check every exterior light works and look for moisture inside the lamp housings.
- Body structure (1 recall campaign · 1 owner complaint) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Transmission & drivetrain (2 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Subaru Tribeca compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 22 mpg figure is 5 mpg below that average. Its 307 g/km CO₂ figure is 54 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Subaru models in our database average about 33 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Subaru Tribeca's 22 mpg is 11 mpg below that make average. Its 307 g/km CO₂ figure is 101 g/km higher than the 206 g/km Subaru average.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Subaru Tribeca have?
It's fitted with a 3.6L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s5) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Subaru Tribeca?
The most efficient configuration returns around 22 mpg (UK) combined, or 18 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Subaru Tribeca cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,700 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Subaru Tribeca have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Subaru Tribeca (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (5), Structure (1), Exterior lighting (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca?
Among the 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (2 complaints), Exterior lighting (2 complaints), Structure (1 complaint). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Subaru Tribeca have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 99 cubic feet (about 2,803 litres) and luggage volume at 43 cubic feet (about 1,218 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.
Is the Subaru Tribeca's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 22 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.