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2012 Subaru Tribeca

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Tribeca.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2012 Subaru Tribeca, an SUV, features a 6.9‑quart 5W‑30 API‑rated engine paired with an automatic transmission. Its EPA fuel‑economy rating of 16 city/21 highway/18 combined mpg reflects the modest efficiency typical of the segment. In terms of reliability, the 2012 model records only four total owner complaints and seven recalls, placing it near the low‑complaint end of a history that spanned from 93 complaints in 2006 to just three in 2013.

Model year2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/21/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	189.8 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	66.5 in
Wheelbase	108.3 in
Curb weight	4257 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 21 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	99 cu ft
Cargo volume	43 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tribeca of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.7–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 2011 3.6R Limited

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2011	3.6R Limited 3.6L F-6	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	256 hp	AWD
2008	Limited 3.6L F-6	7.70 sec	16.10 sec	256 hp	AWD
2008	Limited 3.6L F-6	8.50 sec	16.60 sec	256 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	10.4
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.9 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	75W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	3 Pints

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	44.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	35 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	66.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-3-2-5-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 650, AT: 675 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.26-1.39 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression	145-185 psi. 7 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ 600 rpm, 57 psi @ 5000
Intake Valve Lash	0.0079 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.0138 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	88 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	48.7 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 0.708 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 0.708 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.102 in / 0.63 in
Drum Nominal Diameter	8.267 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages

Prep Bolts 1-8:

1	14.8 ft. lbs.	14.8 ft. lbs
2	36.9 ft. lbs.	36.9 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
5	14.8 ft. lbs.; Bolts 1-4:	14.8 ft. lbs
6	35.4 ft. lbs.; Bolts 5-8:	35.4 ft. lbs
6	32.5 ft. lbs.; All Bolts:	32.5 ft. lbs
7	90 degrees.; Bolts 1-4:	90 degrees
8	45 degrees.	45 degrees
9	Install seal bolt 9	4.7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

9 ft. lbs., Step 2: 13 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90

9 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,200 mi.

Every 1,200 mi	Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 6,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 36,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injector (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Tribeca sits at the tail end of a clear decline in federal complaints, dropping from 93 in 2006 to just 4 in 2012, while recalls fell from 8 to 7. Compared to the 2011 peak of 8 complaints, the 2012 figures are identical, but the recall count is one lower, indicating a slight improvement. The year‑by‑year trend shows a steady decrease in both complaints and recalls through 2014, with complaints reaching zero that year. In 2012 the most common complaint areas were Power Train (2), and single instances of Exterior Lighting, Structure, Engine, and Steering, Electrical System, Exterior Lighting. With no crash or fire complaints reported, the 2012 model year appears to be a solid choice for a used Tribeca, reflecting continued improvement in reliability.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

157

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11’12’13 ’14

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Power Train2

Exterior Lighting,Structure,Engine1

Steering,Electrical System,Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V007000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

19V008000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 157 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E	2026-06-11	Unknown Or Other	This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R	2026-05-04	Power Train	This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R	2026-04-30	Unknown Or Other	This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
01-167-08R	2026-04-24	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tribeca. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 6.9 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Tribeca take?

6.9 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Tribeca have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tribeca get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.