Subaru BRZ — the 10 years we've written up
2013–2024, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 5 of the 10 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 10 Subaru BRZ model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Subaru built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Subaru BRZ by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Engine can run itself low on oil and knock, with no warning light first — $8,000–$14,000 for a replacement engine — $0 while Subaru's 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage is still live on the VIN
Oil disappears between changes with nothing on the dash to warn you — $8,000–$14,000 for a replacement engine — $0 while Subaru's 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage is still live on the VIN
Excess factory sealant in the oil can block the pickup screen and starve the engine — $300–$800 to drop the pan and inspect the pickup; $8,000–$14,000 for a replacement engine
Popping from the front wheel area at parking speeds — strut top mounts — $400–$900 for both sides
Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the car in traffic (recall) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Airbag warning light, and a passenger seat that reads as empty with someone in it — $300–$1,200
FA20 drinks oil, and a track-driven one can damage its bearings — $2,500–$6,000 for a rebuilt or replacement engine if bearings have been damaged
Track use / abuse — Not yet priced
Rough running, knocking and a stall while driving — $2,000–$5,500 for valve spring work or a replacement short block at an independent shop
Track and autocross abuse — Not yet priced
5 of these 10 have no high-severity issue in our write-up. That means we didn't find an expensive recurring fault — not that one cannot exist on the specific vehicle you're looking at.
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Subaru BRZ in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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