NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
47 reportsClear category filter72,000 miles · Jul 19, 2020
Engine
I TOOK MY 2013 SUBARU BRZ TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR THE WTY84 FA20 VALVE SPRING RECALL ON DECEMBER 24, 2019. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT MY CAR FOR THREE MONTHS AND I PICKED UP MY CAR ON MARCH 31, 2020 AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. TWO AND A HALF MONTHS LATER, AND ONLY 1,600 MILES SINCE THE REPAIRS, ON JUNE 19, 2020 MY CAR STARTE…
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I TOOK MY 2013 SUBARU BRZ TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR THE WTY84 FA20 VALVE SPRING RECALL ON DECEMBER 24, 2019. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT MY CAR FOR THREE MONTHS AND I PICKED UP MY CAR ON MARCH 31, 2020 AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. TWO AND A HALF MONTHS LATER, AND ONLY 1,600 MILES SINCE THE REPAIRS, ON JUNE 19, 2020 MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND STALLED. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. STRANDED, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER CHECKED THE BATTERY, WHICH WAS IN GOOD HEALTH, AND TRIED TO JUMP-START THE ENGINE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. HE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IMMEDIATELY SAW METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL ADHERING TO THE DIPSTICK. HE LATER TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED BUT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD HORRIBLE KNOCKING NOISE. AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD A ROD KNOCK, AND POSSIBLE BROKEN ROD BEARING WITH SIGNS OF ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1,450 FOR A TEAR DOWN TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM, AND ADDITIONAL FOR ANY REPAIRS. THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN ANY METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL PRIOR TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRS BEING DONE AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE. REGULAR OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED EVERY 5,000 TO 7,500 MILES BY A LICENSED MECHANIC USING ONLY MOBIL 1 FULL SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL AND OIL QUALITY AND LEVELS HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT BETWEEN CHANGES. THE CAR HAS 72,000 MILES AND HAS WORKED WONDERFULLY UP UNTIL NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11340290
36,000 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Engine
THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE DUE TO THE VALVE SPRINGS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. I PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TWICE DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE, AND I PROVIDED THE RECEIPTS WHERE THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE REPLACED, AND DONE SO WITH HIGHER QUALITY COMPONENTS AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE. HOWEVER, B…
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THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE DUE TO THE VALVE SPRINGS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. I PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TWICE DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE, AND I PROVIDED THE RECEIPTS WHERE THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE REPLACED, AND DONE SO WITH HIGHER QUALITY COMPONENTS AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE. HOWEVER, BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER STOPPED RESPONDING TO MY COMMUNICATION REQUESTS VIA PHONE AND EMAIL AND DESPITE FOLLOWING UP IN PERSON AS WELL, AND WERE SILENT WHEN I STATED THAT THEY WERE DENYING ME A PATH TO REGISTER MY VEHICLE DESPITE THE PART HAVING BEEN REPLACED AND THE ORIGINAL MOTOR NO LONGER BEING IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH THEY REQUIRED IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE SERVICE. THE FIRST TIME THE MOTOR FAILED, I WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND STARTED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE MOTOR STALLED OUT. THE SECOND TIME, THE MOTOR JUST STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATING STRONGLY. BOTH TIMES I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC TO FIX THE MOTOR, THE SECOND TIME I HAD IT REBUILD WITH STRONGER COMPONENTS AND I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS FROM OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR RECALLS COMPLETED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTERS, THE ONLY ONES AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS, AND THAT SUBSEQUENTLY HAD THEIR MOTORS FAIL DESPITE THERE BEING NOTHING WRONG TO BEGIN WITH. I DO NOT WANT MY VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED WITH STRONGER COMPONENTS TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE THAT CAN YOURSELF THE SAME TERRIBLE RESULTS, REPLACING STRONGER COMPONENTS WITH INFERIOR COMPONENTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I PAID OUT OF POCKET TO DO SO AND DO NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES. I'M CURRENTLY UNABLE TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS IMPASSE AND BLOCK ON MY CURRENT REGISTRATION DUE TO THE INCOMPLETE RECALL, SUFFERING OVER A YEAR WORTH OF LOSS OF USE.
NHTSA ODI #11337589
35,915 miles · Jun 21, 2020
Engine
ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE HAD RECALL WORK PREFORMED AT 33,266 MILES AND FAILURE HAPPENED AT 35,915
NHTSA ODI #11329899
93,000 miles · Jun 15, 2020
Engine
IN LATE 2018 I WAS NOTIFIED BY SUBARU OF THE VALVE SPRING RECALL FOR MY 2013 BRZ. I CARRIED MY CAR IN ON MARCH 31ST 2020 TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE. I PICKED MY CAR UP ON APRIL 9TH 2020. ON APRIL 14TH 2020, AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, MY ENGINE STALLED AT A RED LIGHT. IT RESTARTED ON THE FIRST TRY WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTIO…
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IN LATE 2018 I WAS NOTIFIED BY SUBARU OF THE VALVE SPRING RECALL FOR MY 2013 BRZ. I CARRIED MY CAR IN ON MARCH 31ST 2020 TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE. I PICKED MY CAR UP ON APRIL 9TH 2020. ON APRIL 14TH 2020, AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, MY ENGINE STALLED AT A RED LIGHT. IT RESTARTED ON THE FIRST TRY WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT ON. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY BACK TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THAT EVERYTHING WAS DONE CORRECTLY. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS FAULT P0017 AND THROTTLE BODY CARBON UP. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN ECM UPDATE AND CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME. NO CHARGES WERE INCURRED. ON MAY 12TH 2020 WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN. I AGAIN BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS FAULT P0171 SYSTEM TOO LEAN. CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS CLEANED AND THE CAR RETURNED TO ME. NO CHARGES WERE INCURRED AS IT WAS ADMITTED THAT DEBRIS COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN THE SENSOR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OPEN PERFORMING THE RECALL. ON JUNE 4TH 2020 , AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. THIS TIME 5 TRIES TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE TO NO AVAIL. ON THE 6TH TRY THE ENGINE FINALLY RESTARTED WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. MY CAR WAS KEPT FOR 1 WEEK AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A BAD MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. I WAS CHARGED $651.44 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR. MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON JUNE 12TH 2020. ON JUNE 13TH 2020 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT WAS BACK ON. WHEN I CARRIED MY CAR IN ON MARCH 31ST 2020, THERE WERE NO PRIOR ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE OR ANY OTHER COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CAR DROVE AND FUNCTIONED PERFECTLY FINE. THERE HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRZ RECALL MAKING ENGINES. I BELIEVE I'VE FELL VICTIM TO THIS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE SUBARU/TOYOTA VALVE SPRING RECALL FOR 2013 BRZ AND FRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329091
53,000 miles · May 28, 2020
Engine
VALVE SPRING RECALL (SUBARU RECALL WTY-84 AND NHTSA ID 18V-772) WAS PERFORMED AUG-SEP 2019. ON MARCH 16, 2020 WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING ROD KNOCK AND HAD TO BE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO FARRISH SUBARU IN FAIRFAX, VA. THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN, SHORT BLOCK AND LONG BLOCK. FOUND A BEARING FAILURE DUE T…
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VALVE SPRING RECALL (SUBARU RECALL WTY-84 AND NHTSA ID 18V-772) WAS PERFORMED AUG-SEP 2019. ON MARCH 16, 2020 WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING ROD KNOCK AND HAD TO BE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO FARRISH SUBARU IN FAIRFAX, VA. THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN, SHORT BLOCK AND LONG BLOCK. FOUND A BEARING FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION. IT IS NOW MAY 28, 2020, OVER 10 WEEKS SINCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY CAR BACK. I HAVE SR #[XXX] CASE NUMBER WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO I CONTACTED TO GET INVOLVED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT SUBARU BRZ, SCION FRS, TOYOTA 86S HAVING SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH A LOT HAVING SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS AFTER THE RECALL NUMBERS STATED ABOVE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326285
60,000 miles · Apr 17, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU BRZ. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO COURTESY SUBARU OF CHICO (896 EAST AVE, CHICO, CA 95926) TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). UPON RETURNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU BRZ. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO COURTESY SUBARU OF CHICO (896 EAST AVE, CHICO, CA 95926) TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). UPON RETURNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE KNOCKING SOUND PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KNOCKING SOUND WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #11321427
64,838 miles · Feb 14, 2020
Engine
HAD FACTORY VALVE SPRING RECALL COMPLETED BY SUBARU. THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE VALVE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAYS THE CAR NEEDS AT A MINIMUM AN ENGINE SHORT BLOCK, HEADS AND VALVE WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11309190
52,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Engine
IN MARCH 2019, I HAD MY BRZ BROUGHT TO A SUBARU DEALER FOR A VALVE SPRING RECALL. IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY GOT IT RIGHT, AND 5000 MILES LATER, MY ENGINE IS BLOWN UP. I'VE READ ON SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER BRZ AND TOYOTA FRS OWNERS/CARS. I HAD 47,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE …
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IN MARCH 2019, I HAD MY BRZ BROUGHT TO A SUBARU DEALER FOR A VALVE SPRING RECALL. IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY GOT IT RIGHT, AND 5000 MILES LATER, MY ENGINE IS BLOWN UP. I'VE READ ON SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER BRZ AND TOYOTA FRS OWNERS/CARS. I HAD 47,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN FOR THE RECALL. NOW I HAVE A BROKEN/BLOWN OR REPAIRABLE ENGINE ON MY HANDS. I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN I HEAR THIS HORRIBLE KNOCKING NOISE AND MY CAR LOST POWER AND THEN SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL AAA FOR A TOW. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT WILL COST OVER $8000 TO REPLACE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! SO I AM FILING A COMPLAINT.
NHTSA ODI #11301523
91,000 miles · Nov 21, 2019
Engine
ON JULY 17 2019 WE BOUGHT THE 2013 SUBARU BRZ FROM A BMW DEALERSHIP. AT THE TIME OF SALE WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN OPEN RECALL, THEREFORE WE HAD ASKED THAT THE RECALL BE SERVICED PRIOR TO TAKING POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ON JULY 26, 2019. LESS THAN 4 MONTHS LATE…
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ON JULY 17 2019 WE BOUGHT THE 2013 SUBARU BRZ FROM A BMW DEALERSHIP. AT THE TIME OF SALE WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN OPEN RECALL, THEREFORE WE HAD ASKED THAT THE RECALL BE SERVICED PRIOR TO TAKING POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ON JULY 26, 2019. LESS THAN 4 MONTHS LATER ON NOVEMBER 17, 2019, SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A CLICKING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND WOULD NO LONGER MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THE CODE WAS READING 'INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE'. WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RECALL, IT WAS DISMISSED SAYING THAT THE RECALL HAD TO DO WITH THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM. THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TO TAKE APART THE ENGINE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE TO HAVE IT COVERED UNDER THE LIMITED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. BASED ON ALL COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS THIS ISSUE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE SERVICE PROVIDED ON THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11281474
68,000 miles · Nov 7, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU BRZ. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THEN THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. OCEAN SUBARU OF FULLERTON (LOCATED AT 1100 S EUCLID ST, FU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU BRZ. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THEN THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. OCEAN SUBARU OF FULLERTON (LOCATED AT 1100 S EUCLID ST, FULLERTON, CA 92832, (888) 428-2419) WAS CALLED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #11278702
Official recalls
2Nov 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.
Jun 5, 2012
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.
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 OWNERS 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 ↗