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2013-2024 · 11 model years

Subaru BRZ Problems by year

Owners have filed 102 complaints about the Subaru BRZ across 11 model years, and it has 5 recalls. The 2013 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (65), while 2015, 2020, 2023 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the fuel system.

Most complaints for its age201365 complaints · 2 recallsSee the 2013
Complaints
102
Recalls
5
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

BRZ complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20243000Engine & coolingC
20231000Engine & coolingA
202210100Engine & coolingF
20202000Engine & coolingA
20191100Engine & coolingB
20181200Engine & coolingC
20177011AirbagsD
20163010BrakesB
20153000Engine & coolingA
20146001Engine & coolingC
201365201Engine & coolingF

Most common BRZ problems

Subaru BRZ recalls 5

Engine

18V772000165,534 vehicles affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine...

Latest BRZ complaints

2013 Subaru BRZFuel system

When refueling, the gas pump nozzle shuts off almost immediately as if the tank is full, even when the tank is near empty. The only way to add fuel is to hold the nozzle at a specific angle and repeatedly squeeze the trigger at a very slow trickle. The problem has gotten progressively worse over time. This is a widely reported issue on early-production 2013 BRZ / Scion FR-S vehicles. Owners report that the rubber fuel filler hose between the metal filler pipe and the fuel tank collapses internally, restricting...

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fuel flow so fuel backs up and trips the nozzle shutoff. The manufacturer later revised this hose with a new part number (reported as SU003-01093), but no recall has been issued for affected vehicles. Safety risk: Because the automatic nozzle shutoff no longer works normally, there is no reliable way to tell when the tank is actually full. The driver has to manually override normal fueling, which creates a risk of fuel overflowing and spilling at the pump, onto the vehicle and onto the person fueling. In New Jersey, where attendants must pump gas, attendants cannot fuel the vehicle normally, which puts them at the same risk. No warning lights or messages are associated with the problem. The vehicle is scheduled to be inspected at a Subaru dealer. The dealer has not yet confirmed the cause. The component will be available for inspection upon request.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11774712
2024 Subaru BRZEngine & cooling

Engine failure (rod knock) during commute home. Engine was found with lack of oil (3.5 qrt low) on ~15,000 miles engine block although performed routine maintenance DIY oil changes. Presumably high oil consumption on daily driving conditions

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11756105
2023 Subaru BRZEngine & cooling

Oil went dangerously low during normal 6000 mile period ( no reading on dipstick, no warning light). Subaru has replaced the engine twice under warranty due to oil consumption, 1 pint in 1200 miles. Issue started around 20k miles, engine replaced at 30k and 39k miles.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11756098
2013 Subaru BRZOther & unknown

Hello, My name is [[redacted]] and I have a Subaru BRZ 2013 which harbors a valve spring recall (NHTSA Campaign ID 18V-772, Subaru Recall WTY-84). In seeking help to repair this, I had a customer experience that can be viewed as neglectful, deceitful and malicious in nature. Dealership Recall Refusals I called into two different dealerships to get this recall taken care of under the policies and procedures set forth by the NHTSA and at Subaru's direction (notice). One dealership, Lancaster County Motors Subaru of...

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Lancaster, immediately declined the recall and Subaru Advocacy suggested I take it elsewhere, violating several safety mandates and franchise agreements set forth by Subaru. Steve Moyer Subaru Subsequently, I called Steve Moyer Subaru dealership in Leesport and was told that they could facilitate the fixing of my recall which was (initially) a sigh of relief based on my previous experiences. They scheduled me for the recall and instructed me to bring my car in on [redacted] asked to take it in as soon as possible due to the nature of this recall ([redacted]) and the agreed. They gave me a loaner vehicle and took it in to perform the recall. I signed for the loaner and gave them all applicable information. Escalation Shortly after submission of the vehicle (per Tanner Mohn), I was told that instead of working on the recall, they would like to ask for a new engine on behalf of Subaru (this is given the complex nature of the recall and resulting damage). Please note that I did not suggest this however, Tanner Mohn was vehement on moving forward in this manner. The following week, I got a call from Subaru Advocacy (entity) who apologized for the issues and hold up. Additionally, they stated that they would contact Steve Moyer Motor Subaru to see what the following steps were. Next, I received a text stating that they "examined" my vehicle and an advisor would be contacting me. I then received a call from Tanner Mohn stating Subaru declined a new engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11752198
2024 Subaru BRZEngine & coolingFuel system

Stock fuel lines on the driver side of vehicle are having rubbing/clearance issues with the hood and are causing engine fires for the 2022+ Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 model vehicles.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11668421
2015 Subaru BRZEngine & cooling

Engine started knocking, within 4 miles engine seized up will not run, only 78,000 miles on the car, original owners, maintained meticulously

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11668402

Questions about the Subaru BRZ

Which Subaru BRZ years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2013 (65), 2022 (10), 2017 (7). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2013 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Subaru BRZ years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2023, 2020, 2015 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other BRZ years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Subaru BRZ problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (68), fuel system (11), electrical system (5) most often.

How many recalls does the Subaru BRZ have?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls across all Subaru BRZ model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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