Subaru BRZ years to avoid and best years

Newer Subaru BRZ years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2013 has the most complaints per year, at 4 (64 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2018 at 0 (from 1 complaint), 2019 at 0 (from 1 complaint), and 2023 at 0 (from 1 complaint). The Subaru BRZ 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2013 Subaru BRZ, 39 of 64 complaints name Engine.

Data as of .

2013 Subaru BRZ
Photo by Hugh Llewelyn, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0
Most complaints

2013

4 per year · 64 complaints

Fewest complaints

2018

0 per year · 1 complaints

Fewest complaints

2019

0 per year · 1 complaints

Fewest complaints

2023

0 per year · 1 complaints

Too early to compare

2025–26

Under 3 years on the road

Subaru BRZ reliability by year

Most Fewest Other
42013201420152016201720182019202020213202220231202420252026

Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Subaru BRZ. How we count.

By model year

Year Per year on the road Complaints Recalls Most-filed complaint Avg. combined MPG
2026 Too early 0 0 0 — 23.5
2025 Too early 0 0 0 — 23.5
2024 1 3 0 Engine 23.5
2023 Fewest 0 1 0 Engine 23.5
2022 → 3 10 1 Engine 23.5
2021 0 0 0 — —
2020 0 2 0 Suspension, Powertrain, Engine 24.7
2019 Fewest 0 1 1 Engine 25.5
2018 Fewest 0 1 2 Engine and engine cooling 24.7
2017 → 0 7 0 Air bags 25.5
2016 0 3 0 Electrical system 26
2015 0 3 0 Engine 26
2014 → 0 6 0 Engine 26
2013 → Most 4 64 2 Engine 26

Years with a → link have a full model-year page.

What owners file about

Engine
52
Engine, Fuel and propulsion system
6
Electrical system
3
Exterior lighting
3
Unknown or other, Engine
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Powertrain, Engine
2
Air bags
1
Air bags, Seats, Unknown or other
1
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes
1
Electrical system, Unknown or other
1

Generations

1st generation (ZC6) 2013–2020
20132014201520162017201820192020
Body styles
Coupe
Oil
0W-20 synthetic · 5.7 qt capacity
Tire size
215/45R17

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-772 covers certain 2013 Subaru BRZ vehicles among other Subaru and Toyota Scion FR-S models: engine valve springs may break, which can cause engine damage or a stall. Dealers replace the valve springs. The campaign's published unit count is shared across the listed Impreza, BRZ, XV Crosstrek, and FR-S vehicles. Recall 12V-254 covers certain 2013 BRZ vehicles for an inaccurate owner's-manual description of tire-pressure monitoring system operation; Subaru mailed corrected manuals.

2013 Subaru BRZ
Photo by Hugh Llewelyn, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0
2nd generation (ZD8) 2022–present
20222023202420252026
Body styles
Coupe
Oil
0W-20 synthetic (5W-30 for top-up only if 0W-20 unavailable) · 5.3 qt capacity
Tire size
215/45R17, 215/40R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 23V-609 covers certain 2022 Subaru BRZ vehicles, and also Toyota GR86 vehicles: the rear turn signals may intermittently become inoperative. Dealers replace both rear combination lamp assemblies. The campaign's published unit count is shared with the listed GR86 vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

Which Subaru BRZ years have fewer owner complaints?

Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2018 at 0 (from 1 complaint), 2019 at 0 (from 1 complaint), and 2023 at 0 (from 1 complaint).

Which Subaru BRZ year has the most owner complaints?

2013 has the most complaints per year, at 4 (64 complaints). On the 2013 Subaru BRZ, 39 of 64 complaints name Engine.

How do Subaru BRZ owner complaints compare by year?

Newer Subaru BRZ years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones.

Which Subaru BRZ years are too early to compare?

The Subaru BRZ 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.

What oil does a Subaru BRZ take?

0W-20 synthetic on first gen (2013-2020) and second gen (2022-on); second gen allows 5W-30 for top-up only if 0W-20 is unavailable.

What does recall 18V-772 cover on early BRZ?

Certain 2013 BRZ vehicles among other Subaru and Scion FR-S models: engine valve springs may break, which can cause engine damage or a stall. Dealers replace the valve springs.

What tire sizes does the second-gen BRZ use?

215/45R17 and 215/40R18 depending on trim.