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2013 Subaru Brz

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

53 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

47 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2022
EngineUnknown Or Other

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11478397

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2022
Engine

Took my 2013 BRZ Limited in for the Valve Spring recall. After work completed I was unable to get my car home before I had severe knocking, CEL, and power failure. Car was at dealership for over a month. After I got it back it's been driven 10k miles and has a rod bearing failure and all the same symptoms - power loss, grinding/…

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Took my 2013 BRZ Limited in for the Valve Spring recall. After work completed I was unable to get my car home before I had severe knocking, CEL, and power failure. Car was at dealership for over a month. After I got it back it's been driven 10k miles and has a rod bearing failure and all the same symptoms - power loss, grinding/knocking, and dash lights lit up.

NHTSA ODI #11447920

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2021
EngineFire

BLOWN SHORT BLOCK / CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD, BROKEN CONNECTING ROD, $7000+ ESTIMATES FOR ENGINE REBUILD. MY BRZ STALLED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11434598

81,000 miles · Jul 15, 2021
Engine

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru BRZ. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be di…

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The contact owns a 2013 Subaru BRZ. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 18V772000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ODI #11425002

21,000 miles · Jan 17, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

I HAD MY BRZ RECALL REPAIR IN THE SPRING OF 2019. IT TOOK ABOUT 3 WEEKS FOR THE SUBARU DEALER TO FIX THE SPRING VALVE. WHEN I RECEIVED IT BACK, MY ENGINE FELT A LITTLE ROUGH AND HAD A HIGH IDLE AND MADE SOME NOISE. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MUCH SINCE THE REPAIR, SO I DIDN'T NOTICE TOO MUCH OF AN ISSUE, BUT WAS PLAN…

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I HAD MY BRZ RECALL REPAIR IN THE SPRING OF 2019. IT TOOK ABOUT 3 WEEKS FOR THE SUBARU DEALER TO FIX THE SPRING VALVE. WHEN I RECEIVED IT BACK, MY ENGINE FELT A LITTLE ROUGH AND HAD A HIGH IDLE AND MADE SOME NOISE. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MUCH SINCE THE REPAIR, SO I DIDN'T NOTICE TOO MUCH OF AN ISSUE, BUT WAS PLANNING TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER WHEN COVID WAS LESS OF A RISK. TODAY, I DROVE MY CAR MAYBE 500 MILES SINCE THE REPAIR, AND AS I ACCELERATED ON TO THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STARTED REVVING REALLY HIGH, CHECK ENGINE LINE FLASHED ON AND THE CAR LOSE POWER AND STOPPED. IF I PRESSED ON THE GAS, IT STARTED TO DECLINE IN SPEED AND ULTIMATELY STOPPED. I MADE MY WAY TO THE RIGHT LANE, HIT THE HAZARDS AND WAITED STRESSFULLY FOR A TOW TRUCK AS CARS SPED BY ME ON THE HIGHWAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE ISSUES LIKE I JUST EXPERIENCED SINCE THE RECALL FIX AND WANTED TO ADVISE YOU OF MY ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THE CAR BACK UP TO SAFETY STANDARDS.

NHTSA ODI #11388616

52,400 miles · Nov 28, 2020
Engine

MY CAR WAS RUNNING WITH ANY ISSUE UNTIL RIGHT AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE RECALL (VALVE SPRINGS) REPAIR WAS PERFORMED DURING THE WEEK OF MAY 6TH, 2019. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON MAY 11, 2019 AND THE ENGINE STALLED A FEW TIMES ON THE ROAD ON THE SAME DAY WHEN I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME. I CALLED THE DEALER THE SAME DAY I PICKED U…

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MY CAR WAS RUNNING WITH ANY ISSUE UNTIL RIGHT AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE RECALL (VALVE SPRINGS) REPAIR WAS PERFORMED DURING THE WEEK OF MAY 6TH, 2019. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON MAY 11, 2019 AND THE ENGINE STALLED A FEW TIMES ON THE ROAD ON THE SAME DAY WHEN I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME. I CALLED THE DEALER THE SAME DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR AND LEFT THEM A MESSAGE ABOUT THE ENGINE STALL. THEN, ON MONDAY, MAY 13TH, I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO LOU FUSZ SUBARU ST. LOUIS. THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR A WEEK AND THEY DROVE THE CAR A FEW TIMES BUT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE ENGINE STALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11376871

105,233 miles · Nov 18, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU BRZ. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF EL CAJON (900 ARNELE AVE, EL CAJON, CA 92020) TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU BRZ. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF EL CAJON (900 ARNELE AVE, EL CAJON, CA 92020) TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,233.

NHTSA ODI #11375242

99,000 miles · Nov 12, 2020
EnginePower Train

ENGINE FAILURE FOLLOWING THE VALVE SPRING FACTORY RECALL. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE CRUISING ON A HIGHWAY. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. ELECTRONICS STILL FUNCTIONAL.

NHTSA ODI #11374216

140,000 miles · Oct 9, 2020
Engine

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE WORK PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE WTY-84 RECALL. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP (ANNAPOLIS SUBARU). AFTER MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE WORKMANSHIP MY CAR'S ENGINE IS BLOWN. ANNAPOLIS SUBARU HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE WORKED ON MY VEHICLE LONG ENOUGH AND WILL NOT FIX THE BLOWN ENGINE. THE …

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THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE WORK PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE WTY-84 RECALL. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP (ANNAPOLIS SUBARU). AFTER MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE WORKMANSHIP MY CAR'S ENGINE IS BLOWN. ANNAPOLIS SUBARU HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE WORKED ON MY VEHICLE LONG ENOUGH AND WILL NOT FIX THE BLOWN ENGINE. THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS DONE DUE TO NEGILENCE WHILE PERFORMING THE RECALL, REQUIRING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF REPAIR, BEFORE THE RECALL WAS RESOLVED. THIS INCLUDED REPLACING MY HEAD DUE TO A VALVE ROCKER BECOMING DISLODGED IN THE ENGINE DURING A TEST DRIVE, BODY WORK THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED, REPLACEMENT OF A CAM SPROCKET, AND REPLACEMENT OF MY ECU. NOW THAT MY ENGINE IS BLOWN, A COMMON ISSUE DUE TO THIS RECALL, ANNAPOLIS SUBARU IS STATING THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE IS NOT THEIR FAULT. THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AT 140,000 MILES. THE ENGINE FAILURE OCCURED 1000 MILES AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO LOUD TAPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WAS DIRECTED THAT THE NOISES WERE NOT DUE TO ENGINE DAMAGE, BUT DUE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ODI #11363539

46,000 miles · Jul 22, 2020
Engine

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…

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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 ODI #11340873

Official recalls

2

18V772000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Nov 1, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

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. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

12V254000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Jun 5, 2012

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. OTHER PORTIONS OF THE OWNER’S 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.”

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: MISINFORMATION COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.