Subaru BRZ Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 87 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Subaru BRZ (2013–2022) that have at least 5 complaints. 2013 has the most, with 64. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (58 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All BRZ model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | — | 1 | 211 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 7 | 27,434 | 0 | 199 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 6 | 74,000 | 0 | 248 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 64 | 52,400 | 2 | 376 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine58 60%
- Other or unknown10 10%
- Fuel system9 9.3%
- Exterior lighting5 5.2%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)4 4.1%
- Transmission and drivetrain4 4.1%
- Electrical system4 4.1%
- Brakes3 3.1%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2017: “I was driving on the freeway when the car stalled three times; the check engine light came on, then turned off. White, sweet smelling smoke began coming out of the engine. I pulled over safely. Upon inspection of the car, it was found that the valve spring cover came out of the right side (passenger) engine head. See attachment for a list of all parts affected.”
NHTSA complaint #11364811, filed 2020-10, 39,867 miles2013: “Valve spring recall - had the valve spring recall performed and roughly 10k miles later my car has stalled and when won't stay running when you try to start and if you do get it running there is a loud clunky noise that sounds like a valve tap. I was driving and coming off the off ramp and the car just died on me. I rolled to the shoulder of the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11217301, filed 2019-06, 111,302 miles2014: “This may be similar to the current recall posted for earlier models of the scion fr-s and Subaru BRZ, however my car was manufactured after the recalled production time frame. (cuts off at september 2013, my car was made in december 2013) my car is a 2014 Subaru BRZ manual and when idling stationary, once in a while rpms drop and car shakes as if it's trying to stall. This is more noticeable when I tap the gas pedal and rev the car just a bit.”
NHTSA complaint #11165736, filed 2019-01, 60,000 milesOther Subaru models
9,776 complaintsSubaru Forester
6,527 complaintsSubaru Legacy
3,182 complaintsSubaru Impreza
2,649 complaintsSubaru Crosstrek
1,191 complaintsSubaru Ascent
1,038 complaintsSubaru WRX
969 complaintsSubaru SVX
279 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology