Subaru BRZ problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most significant documented BRZ problem is the valve spring recall for the 2013 model, whose 2.0L boxer springs could fracture and stall the engine. Other recalls cover low-pressure fuel pumps on 2018–2019 cars, a 2018 camera software fault and intermittent rear turn signals on the 2022 model.

CarWhere lists 5 documented BRZ issues, including 5 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.

BRZ generations at a glance

Subaru BRZ generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
First generation2013–2020Engine valve springs may fracture (recall 18V772) · Owner's manual air bag description inaccurate (recall 12V254) · Low-pressure fuel pump may fail (recall 21V587) · Rearview camera may stay blank (recall 18V935)
Second generation2022 onwardRear turn signals may stop working (recall 23V609)

First generation BRZ problems (2013–2020)

Engine valve springs may fracture (recall 18V772) (2013)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2013–2020)
Years:
2013
Powertrain:
2.0L

Valve springs in certain 2013 BRZs (and Scion FR-S, 2012–2014 Imprezas and 2013 XV Crosstreks) may fracture, causing engine malfunction or a stall. Dealers replace the valve springs free of charge. The 165,534 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 18V772, not just the BRZ.

Symptoms

  • Ticking or rough running
  • Engine stalls or misfires

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the valve spring replacement

NHTSA recall: 18V772 (2018-11-01) · 165,534 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [1]

Owner's manual air bag description inaccurate (recall 12V254) (2013)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2013–2020)
Years:
2013
Powertrain:
All

The owner's manual for early 2013 BRZs described the front passenger occupant classification system inaccurately, so the cars did not comply with the federal occupant crash protection standard. Subaru mailed corrected owner's manuals free of charge. NHTSA lists 1,886 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • None

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Check that the glovebox manual includes Subaru's corrected air bag pages

NHTSA recall: 12V254 (2012-06-05) · 1,886 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [2]

Low-pressure fuel pump may fail (recall 21V587) (2018–2019)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2013–2020)
Years:
2018–2019
Powertrain:
All

The in-tank low-pressure fuel pump on certain 2018–2019 BRZs (and Toyota 86 and several Subaru models) may fail and stall the engine. Dealers replace the pump free of charge. The 175,968 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 21V587, not just the BRZ.

Symptoms

  • Engine stalls or will not restart

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the low-pressure fuel pump replacement

NHTSA recall: 21V587 (2021-07-29) · 175,968 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [3]

Rearview camera may stay blank (recall 18V935) (2018)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2013–2020)
Years:
2018
Powertrain:
All

A software issue on certain 2018 BRZs (and Legacy and Outback models) can stop the audio display from starting, leaving the rearview camera image blank. Dealers reprogram the display software free of charge. The 71,190 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 18V935, not just the BRZ.

Symptoms

  • Black screen when reversing

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the audio display reprogramming

NHTSA recall: 18V935 (2018-12-31) · 71,190 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [4]

Second generation BRZ problems (2022 onward)

Rear turn signals may stop working (recall 23V609) (2022)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2022 onward)
Years:
2022
Powertrain:
All

Rear turn signals on certain 2022 BRZs and Toyota GR86s can intermittently stop working. Dealers replace both rear combination lamps free of charge. The 8,915 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 23V609, not just the BRZ.

Symptoms

  • Fast-blinking turn signal indicator
  • Rear turn signal not flashing

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the rear combination lamp replacement

NHTSA recall: 23V609 (2023-08-31) · 8,915 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [5]

Related BRZ research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.

Confirm how a BRZ was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. 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.

Subaru build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the BRZ valve spring recall?

Recall 18V772 covers certain 2013 BRZs whose engine valve springs may fracture, causing engine malfunction or a stall. Dealers replace the valve springs free of charge; the same campaign covers the Scion FR-S.

Does the BRZ have a fuel pump recall?

Yes. Recall 21V587 covers certain 2018–2019 BRZs whose in-tank low-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine. Dealers replace the pump free of charge.

Are there recalls on the second-generation BRZ?

Recall 23V609 covers certain 2022 BRZs whose rear turn signals can intermittently stop working; dealers replace both rear lamps. Check the VIN for any newer campaigns before buying.

How do I check whether a used BRZ recall was done?

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to see open campaigns, and ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order, especially for the 2013 valve spring replacement.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. Recall 18V772: Engine And Engine Cooling — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  2. Recall 12V254: Equipment — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  3. Recall 21V587: Fuel System, Gasoline — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  4. Recall 18V935: Visibility — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  5. Recall 23V609: Exterior Lighting — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)

More Subaru tools

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.