2013 Subaru BRZ Problems

What owners report

Complaints about this model year are dominated by engine problems, and most of the sampled reports come from owners who had the valve spring recall (18V772000) performed and then described knocking, stalling or loss of power afterward, often within a few thousand miles of the repair. A smaller share of reports concern fuel system chirping and direct-injector sealing, electrical and starting trouble at very low mileage, and water getting past window seals and into the taillights. Reported mileages vary widely, from a few hundred miles to well over 100,000.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knocking or failure after valve spring recall work

   • 44 complaints (69%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,625 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the engine running normally before the valve spring recall was performed, then developing a loud knock, ticking or clunking sound, rough or high idle, and stalling or seizing while driving, sometimes within a few hundred to a few thousand miles after the repair. Dealers, according to the complaints, often diagnosed bearing or oil-starvation damage requiring short block, head or full engine replacement, and some owners report long waits or that the dealer declined further repair. Several complaints also mention the recall being delayed by parts availability or refused unless aftermarket parts were removed at the owner's cost. Reported both low and high in mileage, but many describe trouble within the first few thousand miles after recall work, often on the highway.

   Recall 18V772000

   What to check: Ask whether the valve spring recall was performed, get the repair invoice, and listen for knocking or ticking at idle and on a cold start; have a pre-purchase inspection check for oil pressure and oil debris.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 miles

   “There is an open recall for my vehicle's engine due to the valve springs, which can result in engine failure. I previously replaced the engine completely twice due to engine failure, and I provided the receipts where the original parts were replaced, and done so with higher quality components after the second failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11337589, filed 2020-07, 36,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine noise, stalling and rod bearing failure

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Some owners describe sudden engine noise followed by loss of power or a stall, and later diagnosis of a spun rod bearing attributed to oil starvation, sometimes with no oil on the dipstick and no low-oil warning. Others report rough running and check-engine lights shortly after service, with dealers replacing cam gears, sensors or wiring and the problem recurring. A few reports link the engine failure to an earlier recall repair while others describe it with no recall involvement. Described from about 30,000 to over 140,000 miles, frequently around 50,000 to 100,000 miles and often at highway speed.

   Recall 18V772000

   What to check: Check oil level and condition on a cold engine, look for service records showing regular oil changes, and have a mechanic listen for bottom-end knock and check oil pressure.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After I picked up my car from completing the valve spring recall work at a local Subaru dealer, my car check engine light and the traction light turned on in less than 6 miles driving. I drove my car back to the dealer on the next morning, and the dealer told me there were ECM, cam gears and wiring harness issues and need replacement. Issues are still unresolved and I am waiting for the dealer and Subaru investigation.”

   NHTSA complaint #11230582, filed 2019-07, 59,844 miles

   “My 2013 Subaru BRZ was recalled and repaired for faulty valve springs at maguire Subaru in ithaca, ny in spring 2019 at 45,000 miles. 700 miles later on june 6, 2020, I experienced a catastrophic engine failure while I was driving in motion! Maguire has had my car for 8 weeks now. After a short block replacement, they decided to replace whole engine which is now also experiencing more valve problems. When will this be resolved???? Recall the recall??”

   NHTSA complaint #11340873, filed 2020-07, 46,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Direct injector seal or misfire

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   A few owners describe a popping or ticking noise under the hood and a check-engine light, traced to a leaking direct injector seal or a misfire; one report describes the injector replacement taking weeks because no fault code was stored. Another owner suspects the engine calibration and mentions a technical bulletin issued in another market. Reported at low mileage, generally between about 2,500 and 22,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for service records on injector repairs and check for a fuel smell or ticking at the top of the engine; scan for stored misfire codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving under normal conditions and started hearing something that sounded like fireworks under the hood of the car. I immediately parked it and researched. The issue appeared to be a failure of the seal on the direct injector for the fuel system. I had it repaired at the dealership where the car was purchased. That took several weeks since the issue doesn't cause the car to report a code or error. After weeks of failed exploration, I forced the dealership to look at what I suspected was causing the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10659973, filed 2014-11, 22,000 miles

   “After authorized Subaru dealer repaired car related to valve spring recall, check engine light came on and Subaru dealer doesn't know how to fix it. Car has gone in and out of the dealer multiple times. Has been in the dealer now for about 2 months.”

   NHTSA complaint #11196950, filed 2019-04, 61,312 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Water leaks into taillights and past window seals

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe condensation or standing water inside the taillights after rain, which they say dulls the lights, and window and quarter-glass seals that let moisture into the cabin during rain or washing. According to the complaints, dealers replaced parts with the same design or declined repair as out of warranty. Reported at low mileage, generally under 11,000 miles, and tied to rain or washing.

   What to check: Inspect both taillights and the door and quarter-glass seals for condensation, water stains or damp carpet after rain, and check for rust or moisture in the trunk.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In april 2019, I brought my 2013 Subaru BRZ to the Subaru dealership for valve spring recall. About 5 months later while I'm driving home from work, my car making loud knocking noise and vibrate aggressively. I'm very fortunate that I make it home safe. After doing some research, I found out I'm not the only one had engine failure after valve spring recall done. I tow my car to the dealership and they said it will cost $1800 to tear my engine apart and check for problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11267119, filed 2019-10, 92,500 miles

   “Taillight condensation when raining. Known defect, but company will not pay for repair. Stating outside of warranty. May occlude lights when driving. Broken driver's side sunvisor impeding vision. Multiple complaints on online forums, again reported to be outside warranty despite safety issue. Taken in prior to warranty running out and turned away.”

   NHTSA complaint #11194288, filed 2019-04, 52,000 miles

Buying note. Given how many sampled reports involve engine trouble after valve spring recall work, confirm the recall was completed and review the repair paperwork and any follow-up engine work before buying. A pre-purchase inspection that includes oil pressure, a cold-start listen and a scan for stored codes is worthwhile on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.