SubaruTribeca20083.6L/subaru/tribeca/2008/3-6l/

2008 Subaru Tribeca — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Tribeca 3.6L.

Body SUVEngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2008 Subaru Tribeca is a midsize SUV powered by a 3.6L horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined while requiring 6.9 quarts of 5W-30 API-certified motor oil. This model year accumulated 30 owner complaints across its lifespan, with air bag systems representing the most frequently cited concern among the nine total recalls issued for the vehicle. Compared to the Tribeca's complaint history spanning 2006 to 2014, the 2008 model falls between the peak of 93 complaints recorded in 2006 and the eventual low of just 3 complaints in 2013, suggesting a period of moderate but improving reliability as the model matured.

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 torque74-89 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

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight4156 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 21 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

7.7–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 2008 Limited
256 hpHorsepower (as tested)
247 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Limited 3.6L F-67.70 sec16.10 sec256 hpAWD
2008Limited 3.6L F-68.50 sec16.60 sec256 hpAWD
20113.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.70 sec16.00 sec256 hpAWD

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 74-89 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.9 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity3 Pints

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings44.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts143 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts66.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74-89 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-3-2-5-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront A/C, 1.26-1.39; front and rear A/C, 1.85-1.98. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Compression185-213 psi. 7 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600 rpm, 57 psi @ 5000
Intake Valve Lash0.0079 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0138 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket88 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle48.7 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.060; Rear: 0.059 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.708 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 0.708 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.102 in / 0.63 in
Drum Nominal Diameter8.267 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages
115 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
237 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
515 ft. lbs.; Bolts 1-4:15 ft. lbs
635.5 ft. lbs.; Bolts 5-8:35.5 ft. lbs
732.5 ft. lbs.; All Bolts:32.5 ft. lbs
890 degrees.; Bolts 1-4:90 degrees
945 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.45 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
19 ft. lbs., Step 2: 13 ft. lbs., Step 3: 909 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 at 3,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

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 2008 Tribeca sits near the front of this generation's federal record but after its most complaint-heavy launch year: owner complaints fell from 93 in 2006 to 30 in both 2007 and 2008, then continued dropping each year to just 3 by 2013. Recalls were relatively stable across the run at 6–10 per year, with 2008 registering 9—one above 2007 and matching 2009—so it carries typical recall exposure rather than an outlier load. TSBs trended upward through the generation, climbing from 129 in 2007 to a peak of 167 in 2013, yet 2008's 132 service bulletins were close to the early-year baseline. Within 2008, air bags drew the most complaints (7), followed by service brakes (3), fuel system (2), and structure (2), with 3 fire-related and 1 crash-related complaint; the data does not specify root causes. Overall, 2008 marks the end of the higher-complaint early period and precedes the cleaner later years, making it a fair but not the strongest used choice in this generation. A well-documented 2008 with completed recalls is acceptable, though a 2009–2010 example would offer lower complaint volume for similar recall exposure.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
132
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
30
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags7
Service Brakes3
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Structure2
Suspension2
Tires1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Air Bags,Structure,Latches/Locks/Linkages,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V297000Electrical System:Ignition:SwitchReported 11/04/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may…

17V014000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 10/01/2017

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 132 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
01-167-08R2026-04-24Unknown Or OtherThis 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Tribeca 3.6L take?

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

Does the 2008 Tribeca have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.6L get?

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