BRZ (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Subaru BRZ Unidentified Engine
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Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
NA
2.0L 4-cyl / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru BRZ, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ
On a used 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (59), the fuel system (8) and the electrical system (6). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ about the engine.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ about the fuel system.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 6 owner complaints on the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ about the electrical system.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 3 owner complaints on the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ about the cooling system.
Recalls (4)
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.
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. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
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.
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 BRZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 25, 2011, THROUGH MAY 25, 2012. THE OWNERS MANUAL CONTAINS AN INACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. OTHER PORTIONS OF THE OWNERS MANUAL, DESCRIBING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, REQUIRE CLARIFICATION. AS SUCH, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ complaints?
Owners have filed 86 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ. The systems they name most often are the engine, the fuel system and the electrical system.
Is the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 86 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ have?
NHTSA has 86 owner complaints on file for the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Subaru BRZ?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the fuel system and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the BRZ?
The 2020 Subaru BRZ received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 5 stars (7.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 86 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.