Subaru 2.0L FA20 BOXER (BRZ) and FA20 DIT turbo: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The FA20 is Subaru's 2.0-liter FA-series BOXER four. A naturally aspirated version with a square 86 × 86 mm bore and stroke powered the 2013–2020 BRZ at 200–205 hp. The direct-injection turbo FA20 DIT made 250 hp in the 2014–2018 Forester 2.0XT and 268 hp in the 2015–2021 WRX.

Subaru introduced the FA series in the 2013 BRZ, saying the engine was engineered for the car's low center of gravity and not shared with other Subarus at launch. It uses chain-driven double overhead cams, direct plus port injection and a 12.5:1 compression ratio, and revs to 7,400 rpm. A new intake and exhaust manifold raised manual-transmission cars to 205 hp and 156 lb-ft from 2017.

The turbocharged FA20 DIT arrived in the 2014 Forester 2.0XT with direct injection, 10.6:1 compression, dual AVCS and an intercooler, rated 250 hp and 258 lb-ft. The 2015 WRX version adds a twin-scroll turbo, different camshafts and higher-rate valve springs for 268 hp and a 6,700-rpm redline. Subaru records Ward's 10 Best Engines awards for the FA20 in 2013 and the WRX FA20 DIT in 2015. 2.4-liter engines replaced the FA20 in the 2022 BRZ and WRX.

2.0L FA20 BOXER (BRZ) and FA20 DIT turbo at a glance

Subaru FA20 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four, naturally aspirated (BRZ) and direct-injection turbo (Forester XT, WRX), US 2013–2021: model years, fuel and peak Subaru-published output by version
Engine	Model years	Fuel	Peak hp	Peak torque (lb-ft)	Documented problems	Recalls
FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020)	2013–2020	Gasoline (premium)	205	156	0	1
FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021)	2014–2021	Gasoline (premium)	268	258	0	1

CarWhere lists 0 documented problems and 2 NHTSA recalls for the 2.0L FA20 BOXER (BRZ) and FA20 DIT turbo, each with a source. Part of the Subaru BOXER engines (EJ25, FB25, FA20, FA24) family.

FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020)

The BRZ's high-revving 2.0L, with direct and port injection. 200 hp and 151 lb-ft at launch; 205 hp and 156 lb-ft with the manual from 2017.

FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020) specifications

FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020): design facts (2013–2020)
Specification	Value
Series	FA-Series BOXER, engineered for the BRZ[1]
Bore × stroke	86 × 86 mm (3.38 × 3.38 in), "square"[1]
Compression ratio	12.5:1[1]
Valvetrain	DOHC per bank, chain driven[1]
Fuel injection	Direct plus port injection[1]
Redline	7,400 rpm[2]
2017 manual-car changes	New aluminum intake manifold, redesigned exhaust manifold, 4.3:1 final drive[4]
Award	Ward's 10 Best Engines 2013 (FA20)[5]
EPA listing, 2020 BRZ	2.0 L four, six-speed manual or automatic[6]

FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020) horsepower and torque by year

FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020): Subaru-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2013	BRZ200 hp at 7,000 rpm; 151 lb-ft at 6,400 rpm	200	151	[1]
2017	BRZ (6-speed manual)New intake and exhaust manifolds	205	156	[2]
2017	BRZ (6-speed automatic)	200	151	[2]
2018	BRZManual	205	—	[3]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020)?

Models and model years offered with the FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020)
Model	Model years	Notes
BRZ	2013–2020	EPA lists no 2021 BRZ; 2.4L from 2022
Scion FR-S	2013	Toyota-sold twin, included in recall 18V772

FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020) recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the FA20 naturally aspirated, BRZ (2013–2020) (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaign	Reported	Vehicles	Summary
18V772	2018-11-01	2012–2014 Impreza, 2012–2013 Impreza wagon, 2013 BRZ, 2013 XV Crosstrek, Scion FR-S165,534 vehicles	Engine valve springs may fracture, causing an engine malfunction or stall. Dealers replace the valve springs free of charge. The campaign spans the BRZ/FR-S FA20 and the FB20 2.0L in Impreza and XV Crosstrek.

FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021)

Direct-injection turbo 2.0L. 250 hp and 258 lb-ft in the Forester 2.0XT; 268 hp and 258 lb-ft in the WRX with a twin-scroll turbo.

FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021) specifications

FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021): design facts (2014–2021)
Specification	Value
Engine code	FA20 (Subaru, 2015 WRX release)[8]
Induction	Twin-scroll turbocharger with intercooler (WRX)[8]
Compression ratio	10.6:1[7]
Valve timing	Dual AVCS[7]
Redline	6,700 rpm WRX (6,500 with Sport Lineartronic); 6,000 rpm Forester 2.0XT[8]
Transmission (Forester 2.0XT)	High-torque Lineartronic CVT with 6- and 8-speed manual modes[10]
EPA listing, 2018 Forester	2.0 L turbo four, CVT (AV-S8)[11]
EPA listing, 2021 WRX	2.0 L turbo four, six-speed manual or CVT[12]

FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021) horsepower and torque by year

FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021): Subaru-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2014	Forester 2.0XT250 hp at 5,600 rpm; 258 lb-ft from 2,000–4,800 rpm	250	258	[7]
2015	WRX268 hp at 5,600 rpm; 258 lb-ft from 2,000–5,200 rpm	268	258	[8]
2021	WRX	268	—	[9]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021)?

Models and model years offered with the FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021)
Model	Model years	Notes
Forester 2.0XT	2014–2018	EPA lists only the 2.5L for 2019
WRX	2015–2021	2.4L FA24 turbo from 2022

FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021) recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the FA20 DIT turbo, Forester 2.0XT and WRX (2014–2021) (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaign	Reported	Vehicles	Summary
16V162	2016-03-21	2015–2016 WRX (built Apr. 10–Oct. 21, 2015) and Forester 2.0XT (built Apr. 10–Oct. 20, 2015)18,187 vehicles	The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and stall the engine. Dealers inspect the duct and replace it based on its lot number, free of charge.

2.0L FA20 BOXER (BRZ) and FA20 DIT turbo issues by model

The same engine shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Related Subaru research

Confirm a car really has the 2.0L FA20 BOXER (BRZ) and FA20 DIT turbo.

The engine a Subaru left the factory with is part of its build record. The CarWhere Subaru build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the FA20 and FA20DIT?

The FA20 in the 2013–2020 BRZ is naturally aspirated, with direct plus port injection and 12.5:1 compression. The FA20 DIT is the direct-injection turbo version with 10.6:1 compression, used in the 2014–2018 Forester 2.0XT and the 2015–2021 WRX.

How much horsepower does the FA20 make?

The BRZ version makes 200 hp and 151 lb-ft, or 205 hp and 156 lb-ft with the manual from 2017. The turbo makes 250 hp and 258 lb-ft in the Forester 2.0XT and 268 hp and 258 lb-ft in the WRX.

Was the FA20 recalled?

Yes, for specific parts. Recall 18V772 replaced valve springs that may fracture in the 2013 BRZ and Scion FR-S, along with FB20 Imprezas and XV Crosstreks. Recall 16V162 covered cracked turbo intake ducts on certain 2015–2016 WRX and Forester 2.0XT models.

Which Subaru WRX years have the FA20?

The 2015–2021 WRX uses the FA20 DIT turbo. The 2006–2014 WRX and the WRX STI through 2021 used the 2.5L EJ25 turbo, and the 2022-on WRX uses the 2.4L FA24 turbo.

Sources

Ratings are Subaru-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

2013 Subaru BRZ Marks Return of the Pure Sports Car (July 31, 2012) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
2017 Subaru BRZ Brings Higher Performance, Updated Styling and Series.Yellow Limited Edition (Oct. 24, 2016) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
Subaru Announces Pricing on 2018 BRZ Sports Car (Dec. 1, 2017) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
Subaru Announces Pricing on Updated 2017 BRZ (July 14, 2016) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
Fuji Heavy Industries news release on the WRX FA20 DIT Ward's 10 Best Engines award (Dec. 12, 2014) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
EPA engine listings: 2020 Subaru BRZ — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
Subaru Introduces All-New 2014 Forester at Los Angeles Auto Show, full version (Nov. 27, 2012) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
2015 Subaru WRX Debuts New Level of Performance (Dec. 17, 2013) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
Subaru Announces Pricing for 2021 WRX and WRX STI Performance Cars (Dec. 10, 2020) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
Subaru Reveals All-New 2014 Forester Crossover SUV (Oct. 30, 2012) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
EPA engine listings: 2018 Subaru Forester AWD — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA engine listings: 2021 Subaru WRX and WRX STI — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru of America, Inc. or Subaru Corporation. Subaru and the model names are trademarks of their owners.