Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | 2.7× | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 2018 | 1 | −67% | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 2017 | 7 | −74% | — | Airbag | Good |
| 2014 | 6 | −80% | — | Engine | Good |
| 2013 | 64 | 7.8× | 2 | Engine | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median BRZ year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Subaru BRZ problems
Latest Subaru BRZ recalls
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 BRZ and Toyota GR86 vehicles. The rear turn signals may intermittently become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear combination lamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Subaru owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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 malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 brz vehicles manufactured from November 25, 2011, through May 25, 2012. The owner's manual contains an inaccurate description of the actual operation of the front passenger occupant classification system.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and will mail corrected owner's manuals, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 19, 2012. Owners May contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Subaru BRZ should you avoid?
2013 — this year has the most complaints relative to other BRZ years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2013.
What is the best year for the Subaru BRZ?
2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other BRZ years at the same age, followed by 2017 and 2018. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Subaru BRZ problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (61), fuel & propulsion system (9) and lights (5). Engine complaints peak in the 2013 model year.
How many recalls has the Subaru BRZ had?
5 recalls across 2013–2022. The model year with the most is 2013. See all Subaru BRZ recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.