2013 Subaru BRZ Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru BRZ, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine4966.2%
- Fuel system56.8%
- Visibility45.4%
- Electrical45.4%
- Powertrain (other)22.7%
- Body & structure22.7%
- Brakes22.7%
- Exterior lighting22.7%
- Other / unspecified22.7%
- Steering11.4%
- Interior & seats11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru BRZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with maintenance failure. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V772000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 58,498.
We took the car into the dealership due to an engine light being on and the recall was something they informed us about and we decided to take care of it all at the same time. We have never recieved safety recall information from Subaru. My Son owned the car prior to us and purchased from Subaru dealership. After several weeks of the car being at the dealership and a very large bill we picked up the car and drove 14 miles and the engine light went on again. We returned the car to dealership and they had it another week at least and we picked it up again with no further engine light coming back on. The engine light never turned back on even when the car stalled out and heard a banging sound. We had car towed to Subaru dealership. The car has been there for several weeks and now they are telling us we need to pay 8000.00 to fix. The car seemed to have lost power after we had recall and feel that the our safety was at risk and my Sons safety as well due to not receiving safety recall notification and service of the recall not resolving the issue with the motor in fact making it worse. Subaru of America has let us know they have no responsibility and will not assist us with any repairs even though our car is stuck in another state and clearly this has been an ongoing issue with this make, model, and year. I had experienced the pressing on the brake and feeling acceleration but I thought maybe my foot had slipped or something as it only happened once. I am thankful that we were only driving between 35 and 45mph when the car actually died while driving.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
2013 SUBARU BRZ 2.0 LIMITED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. FACTORY RECALL RELATING TO FA20 VALVE SPRING REPLACEMENT COMPLETED BY SHERMAN OAKS (CALIFORNIA) SUBARU IN APRIL 2019. (DROPPED CAR OFF FOR REPAIR MONDAY, 4/15/2019, RECEIVED CAR FROM DEALERSHIP ON WEDNESDAY 4/24/2019) AFTER RECEIVING CAR, FOLLOWING VALVE SPRING REPLACEMENT, NOTED SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN AVG MPG AS REPORTED BY CAR (AVERAGE WAS 25-26 MPG BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS. THIS HAD BEEN STABLE FOR YEARS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REPAIR AVERAGE MPG AS REPORTED BY CAR WAS AROUND 14MPG.) DEALER ADVISED LEAVING CAR WITH THEM FOR DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR. RETURNED CAR TO SHERMAN OAKS SUBARU MONDAY 5/5/2019; RECEIVED CAR FROM DEALERSHIP SATURDAY 5/11/2019. DEALERSHIP'S DIAGNOSIS FAILED TO IDENTIFY A CAUSE, SEVERAL SYSTEMS CHECKED WITH NO REMARKABLE FINDINGS, "RESET OF TRIP METERS" REPORTED TO PRODUCE AVG MPG "27-30" ON DEALERSHIP'S TEST DRIVE. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, CAR REPORTS ACTUAL AVERAGE MPG OF 23.3 (!); NOT "27-30" AS DESCRIBED TO ME AND STILL MARKEDLY LOWER THAN PRE-VALVE SPRING REPAIR AVERAGE MPG. AFTER DRIVING 21.9 MILES, AVERAGE MPG DECREASED FURTHER TO 22.2. SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THE ENGINE FOLLOWING RECALL REPAIR. BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY ONLINE REPORTS OF SERIOUS FAILURES (E.G. FIRE, ENGINE STALLING AND THEN UNSTARTABLE) AS MILEAGE POST-REPAIR ACCUMULATES, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING MY BRZ. (PDFS OF RELATED DEALERSHIP WORKORDERS ARE AVAILABLE IF THEY WOULD BE HELPFUL TO YOU.)
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE HOMELINK MIRRORS IN THESE CARS HAVE BEEN A VERY BIG ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN IN FOR AT LEAST THREE REPAIRS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST NIGHT I TOOK MY CAR HOME, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF AND HIT THE DASH OF THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE DISTRACTED SOMEONE AND MADE THEM RUN OFF THE ROAD. THEY REPAIRED IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETELY TAKE THE VIBRATIONS AWAY. YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WHEN LOOKING IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR, BECAUSE IT SHAKES SO MUCH. THERE ARE FORUMS FULL OF PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. SUBARU DID CHANGE THE BACKPLATE DESIGN RECENTLY, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE. I'VE NOTICED THAT IT'S WORSE WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. THE MIRROR SEEMS TO LOOSEN. IT HAS NOT FALLEN AGAIN, BUT I THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR LIGHTS LEAK AND FILL WITH HALF INCH ATLEAST OF WATER, SUBARU'S IDEA OF A FIX IS LET IT EVAPORATE, IT TAKES WEEKS TO EVAPORATE AND IN THE MEAN TIME YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE FOGGED UP MAKING THEM LESS EFFECTIVE AND DULLER, ALSO THE WATER CAN SHORT OUT THE LIGHT. THEY KEEP REPLACING WITH PARTS THAT ARE AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IN OTHER WORDS THIS IS A CHRONIC PERPETUAL PROBLEM AND THEY REFUSE TO REDESIGN THE LIGHTS. STARTED THE FIRST RAIN WE GOT WHEN I OWNED THE LEMON, AND IT CONTINUES THRU NOW 6/2016. NO END IN SIGHT!! NO RECALL JUST GLUE AND PUTTY THAT FAILS!!!
ARGUABLY SYSTEMIC ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BATTERY WENT DEAD -RE CHARGED AND THEN ULTIMATELY REPLACED BY DEALER SWITCH FOR PASSENGER WINDOW ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WAS REPLACED AND CONTINUES TO NON FUNCTION CAR WILL NOT START ON OCCASION ALTHOUGH LIGHTS, RADIO ETC WILL GO ON NO RESPONSE WHEN IGNITION BUTTON PUSHED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE FAILURE FOLLOWING THE VALVE SPRING FACTORY RECALL. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE CRUISING ON A HIGHWAY. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. ELECTRONICS STILL FUNCTIONAL.
SO THE TECH DID MY RECALL, AFTER THE RECALL, IT WAS IDLING WEIRD AND ACTING STUPID, THE CAM GEAR SPROCKET DIED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, IT GOT REPLACED AND WAS RUNNING FINE WITH NO ISSUES. TOOK IT ON THE TEST DRIVE THEY WERE WAS LOOKING AT THE VVT ANGLES, AND EVERYTHING WAS LOOKING GOOD THEN HE WAS AT 5-6K RPM MAKING SURE IT WAS GOOD THEN OIL PRESSURE DROPPED VVT WENT CRAZY, AND IT ROD KNOCKED. BRZS HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES NON STOP AFTER RECALLS. IN MOTION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HOMELINK REAR VIEW MIRROR MOUNT FAILED AND THE MIRROR FELL ONTO THE CENTER CONSOLE, HITTING THE CENTER AIR VENTS AND DAMAGING THE MOLDING, ALSO HITTING THE SHIFT KNOB AND INTERFERING WITH SHIFT MANEUVERS. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN ONE YEAR LATER ON JULY 18, 2014. *TR
GASKETS AROUND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS (INCLUDING STATIONARY TRIANGULAR PANES) AS WELL AS PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS DO NOT CREATE A GOOD SEAL AND ALLOW MOISTURE TO ENTER FROM OUTSIDE FROM THINGS SUCH AS RAIN OR REGULAR HAND WASHING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
From the very first day I had these brakes pads installed they performed terribly. At low speeds, under 25mph, they would shriek and slightly shake the vehicle; far worse response at higher speeds. I read somewhere online that the remedy for this problem was to "wed" the pads to the existing rotors. So, I performed that as best as I could in a safe and sound manner which resulted in a continuation of the same sounds and violent pitching during braking. I continued to use them for about 4K miles until one day I approached a red stop light and stood on the brakes to make my vehicle stop and it barely responded in time to not cause an accident. I took my car to a dealership mechanic to review and their finding was that the pads severely warped my rotors and they needed to be fully replaced, pads and rotors. Cost me an additional $200 in labor on top of what I paid for parts. My car is now performing as it had in the past. I specifically requested and kept the parts that the dealership mechanic replaced as the Brembo pads were highly suspect to start with and I wanted to provide them as support for my claim here. If they're needed please reply back with an address to ship them to. Never once in the time I've driven my vehicle had I experienced that type of safety hazard before ~ 90K miles from November of 2012. This brake product should not be deemed safe for public roads.
REAR LIGHTS LEAK AND FILL WITH HALF INCH ATLEAST OF WATER, SUBARU'S IDEA OF A FIX IS LET IT EVAPORATE, IT TAKES WEEKS TO EVAPORATE AND IN THE MEAN TIME YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE FOGGED UP MAKING THEM LESS EFFECTIVE AND DULLER, ALSO THE WATER CAN SHORT OUT THE LIGHT. THEY KEEP REPLACING WITH PARTS THAT ARE AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IN OTHER WORDS THIS IS A CHRONIC PERPETUAL PROBLEM AND THEY REFUSE TO REDESIGN THE LIGHTS. STARTED THE FIRST RAIN WE GOT WHEN I OWNED THE LEMON, AND IT CONTINUES THRU NOW 6/2016. NO END IN SIGHT!! NO RECALL JUST GLUE AND PUTTY THAT FAILS!!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
REAR LIGHTS LEAK AND FILL WITH HALF INCH ATLEAST OF WATER, SUBARU'S IDEA OF A FIX IS LET IT EVAPORATE, IT TAKES WEEKS TO EVAPORATE AND IN THE MEAN TIME YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE FOGGED UP MAKING THEM LESS EFFECTIVE AND DULLER, ALSO THE WATER CAN SHORT OUT THE LIGHT. THEY KEEP REPLACING WITH PARTS THAT ARE AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IN OTHER WORDS THIS IS A CHRONIC PERPETUAL PROBLEM AND THEY REFUSE TO REDESIGN THE LIGHTS. STARTED THE FIRST RAIN WE GOT WHEN I OWNED THE LEMON, AND IT CONTINUES THRU NOW 6/2016. NO END IN SIGHT!! NO RECALL JUST GLUE AND PUTTY THAT FAILS!!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HOMELINK MIRRORS IN THESE CARS HAVE BEEN A VERY BIG ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN IN FOR AT LEAST THREE REPAIRS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST NIGHT I TOOK MY CAR HOME, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF AND HIT THE DASH OF THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE DISTRACTED SOMEONE AND MADE THEM RUN OFF THE ROAD. THEY REPAIRED IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETELY TAKE THE VIBRATIONS AWAY. YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WHEN LOOKING IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR, BECAUSE IT SHAKES SO MUCH. THERE ARE FORUMS FULL OF PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. SUBARU DID CHANGE THE BACKPLATE DESIGN RECENTLY, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE. I'VE NOTICED THAT IT'S WORSE WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. THE MIRROR SEEMS TO LOOSEN. IT HAS NOT FALLEN AGAIN, BUT I THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME. *TR
THE RADIO HEAD UNIT TOUCHSCREEN IS FAIRLY UNRESPONSIVE TO THE TOUCH AND BUTTONS ARE TOO SMALL. FORCES DRIVER TO SPEND MORE TIME LOOKING AT UNIT WHILE DRIVING THAN A RESPONSIVE TOUCH SCREEN WITH LARGER BUTTONS. SEVERAL TIMES I WAS FRUSTRATED WHEN SCREEN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE TOUCH OR WHEN THE "SOUND" BUTTON WAS ACTIVATED/PRESSED INSTEAD OF THE "UP" STATION/ARROW BUTTON. THE TWO BUTTONS ARE WAY TOO CLOSE. SYSTEM NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPDATE. ALSO, VOICED GPS DIRECTIONS PROVIDED WILL NOT RETURN ONCE A PHONE CALL IS RECEIVED OR PLACED. ONLY THE MAPPED DIRECTIONS ARE ACTIVATED AND CAUSES DISTRACTION WHEN SCREEN MUST BE VIEWED INSTEAD OF DIRECTIONS BEING HEARD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A STRANGE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ON THESE CARS AND THE SCION FRS EQUIVALENT. THE PROBLEM IS REPORTED ON THE MESSAGE BOARDS BUT HOWEVER THIS WAS ONLY RECALLED IN NEW ZEALAND.GOING OVER AND SMALL BUMP THE ELECTRONIC STEERING RATTLES. IT RATTLES AT FIRST AND GETS WORSE UNTIL IT SHAKES THE WHEEL. DEALERS WANT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND YET IT WAS ALREADY RECALLED IN ANOTHER COUNTY FOR THIS ISSUES.THIS CAN BECOME DANGEROUS AND MANY OWNERS JUST POST O LINE NOT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH DEALERS SAYING IT'S NORMAL. LEAVING CUSTOMERS WITH SHAKY WHEELS. THIS IS SOLELY AN ELECTRONIC STEERING MODULE PROBELM THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE DOES THIS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY AT THIS POINT BECAUSE IT IS SO BAD. NO OTHER STEERING COMPONENTS ARE DAMAGED OR WORN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEAD RESTRAINT IS EXCRUTIATINGLY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE ANGLE IS DIGGING INTO THE BACK OF MY HEAD, AND THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST IT. I NOW GET NECK PAIN JUST SITTING IN MY CAR. *TR I UNDERSTAND THAT NEW REGULATIONS REQUIRE THIS, BUT IT TRADES SLIGHT SAFETY BENEFIT IN THE RELATIVELY UNLIKELY CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WITH ALMOST GUARANTEED NECK/SPINE DAMAGE ON A DAILY BASIS. IT IS HORRIBLE AND CAUSING ME PAIN, AND I WILL NOW HAVE TO TRADE THE CAR IN FOR AN OLDER MODEL VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE FORWARD-JUTTING HEAD RESTRAINTS. PLEASE FIX THIS REGULATION!!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .