Here Are The Subaru BRZ Years To Avoid
While Subaru is mainly known for all-wheel-drive crossovers, it has a knack for producing sporty cars that break the SUV mold. One such example is the Subaru BRZ coupe. This 2+2 hatchback, which Subaru also makes under the Toyota 86 nameplate (formerly the Scion FR-S), has a fervent following. If you’re considering putting one of these in the garage, it’s crucial to know Subaru BRZ years to avoid.
Read on as we explore a year-by-year review of BRZ problems. We’ll examine the troubles reported to carcompaints.com and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Vital Details on Subaru BRZ Years To Avoid
The information in this review includes owner-reported problems, official manufacturer recalls, and technical service bulletins (TSB). TSBs are sometimes called unofficial or secret recalls, as these are manufacturer-issued repair recommendations that don’t have the legal implications of a recall. Further, a TSB may range from a minor matter, like clarifying the owner’s manual instructions, to an issue with a major mechanical component.
Subaru BRZ Years To Avoid: Problem Counts By Model Year
Here’s an overview of consumer complaints on the Subaru BRZ (by model year) reported to carcomplaints.com and NHTSA.
** **
2013 Subaru BRZ
The 2013 model year marks the debut of the BRZ in the U.S., and it’s common for first-year vehicles to have “teething problems.” The 2013 Subaru BRZ is no exception. In fact, there are more reported complaints for this model year than any other BRZ. If you’re going to skip one particular model year of the BRZ, make it 2013.
Specifically, numerous transmission issues were reported by owners, with the problem centered around noisy operations. Regarding engine troubles, complaints about a leaking gasket have occurred. But more significantly, NHTSA has received dozens of reports of various engine issues. Some of these problems are related to a recall for a valve spring failure and engine stalling. Subaru’s recall affected the entire 2013 BRZ production run.
In addition, Subaru issued more TSBs (287) for the 2013 BRZ than any other model year for this car.
2014 Subaru BRZ
2014 sees a substantial drop in reported issues with the BRZ. Complaints vary from minor issues like a broken sun visor and a door hinge issue to accounts of engine problems. The number of recorded powerplant troubles is down to just a handful, with some referencing a stalling issue reminiscent of the 2013 recall. But the recall for this never extended to the 2014 model year. 2014 is a recall-free year for the BRZ.
While not an accurate measure of a car’s reliability, the number of TSBs is also substantially reduced for this year. Problems here range from mechanical systems like the engine, suspension, and brakes to airbags and lighting.
NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING
The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.
2015 Subaru BRZ
2015 is not one of the Subaru BRZ years to avoid. There are no recalls, and only a few owners have reported issues with a 2015 BRZ. Carcomplaints.com only shows one problem; a vibrating rearview mirror. A potentially more serious report to NHTSA shows a possible engine oil leak onto the exhaust system. But, there are no similar reports from other owners or technical service bulletins about this issue.
Subaru issued 147 TSBs for the 2015 BRZ covering numerous repair and service issues, including drivetrain matters.
2016 Subaru BRZ
The 2016 BRZ sees another year without any recalls; the amount of TSBs has dropped, too, and now number 137. Interestingly, the 2016 model year may be a “sweet spot” for BRZ shoppers as there’s enough depreciation to bring down pricing, and the overall reliability history for the car is primarily trouble-free. Reported issues include one owner experiencing paint surface problems. Separate cases reported to NHTSA cite a mysterious battery drain issue and a “temperamental” power window.
2017 Subaru BRZ
BRZs from 2017 continues the trend of being mostly free of problems, and the levels of TSBs continue to decline (now at 125). However, no car is perfect. Yet, the 2017 BRZ’s issues appear to be isolated as there are patterns of reliability troubles. For the first time, we see a brake issue reported. Additionally, another owner tells of the car stalling, which is ultimately traced to a loose engine valve spring (the same problem the 2013 Subaru BRZ was recalled for).
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE SUBARU BRZ
If you’re interested in a used Subaru BRZ, there are plenty of model years to choose from. However, to make your investment count, you must go with the most reliable Subaru BRZ year.
2018 Subaru BRZ
The sole reported issue to carcomplaints.com for the 2018 BRZ is one owner dealing with Bluetooth connectivity problems with the car’s infotainment system. Certain BRZs encounter a software issue that prevents an image from appearing in the rearview camera display while the vehicle reverses. More significantly, the 2018 model year BRZ sees a recall, the first in several years. The number of TSBs almost doubled to 232 from the previous year.
2019 Subaru BRZ
Neither carcomplaints.com nor NHTSA are reporting any consumer issues with the 2019 BRZ. It’s no surprise, as Subaru only sold 2,334 units, according to goodcarbadcar.net. Plus, the relative newness of the 2019 model means problems may occur down the road or not. At the same time, Subaru releases 209 TSBs for this model year with problems mostly involving the electrical and fuel systems.
2020 Subaru BRZ
The 2020 model year marks the last year for the first-generation BRZ. Like the 2019 model, owners share zero issues as sales are modest (2,367 units), and the car still has little time on the street. To date, Subaru has released 96 TSBs for this model year.
HOW MANY SPARK PLUGS DOES A DIESEL ENGINE HAVE?
The answer to this question isn’t as simple as you’d expect. Let’s look explore the difference between gas and diesel engines and explore just how many spark plugs a diesel engine actually has.
2022 Subaru BRZ
Subaru skips the 2021 model year for the BRZ as it rolls out the all-new 2022 Subaru BRZ. While keeping the sporty 2+2 configuration, the new BRZ benefits from a larger engine, improved suspension, and other upgrades. Given the 2022’s brief history on the market, there are no reported reliability issues. If you’re interested in a 2022 BRZ, either new or used, keep checking back at carcomplaints.com, which also logs cases filed with NHTSA.
Common Subaru BRZ Problems
The Subaru BRZ is an excellent driver’s car and is one of the most budget-friendly sports cars available. However, it does have some reliability issues that any potential buyer should know.
- Noisy transmission: One of the most common complaints about the Subaru BRZ is its noisy transmission. According to reports, the BRZ’s transmission would make grinding and rattling noises while changing gears. One driver claimed that the transmission also feels “loose.”
- Infotainment problems: Subaru’s STARLINK Infotainment system has been a source of frustration for many owners. It created issues like freezing backup cameras, spotty radio controls, display going blank, randomly blaring radio volume, and many more. Subaru released several service bulletins and software updates to fix the issue.
- EyeSight issues: Subaru’s suite of driver-assist technologies called EyeSight also received numerous complaints. One of its many issues is the defective switch activating the brake lights that tend to shut down. As a result, Subaru had to recall over 72,000 vehicles.
- Power steering loss: BRZ drivers complained about the sudden loss of power steering function, which makes it harder to turn. The culprit for this issue is the premature wear of the power steering assembly.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
