This page covers 2 recalls, 63 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Subaru BRZ.
24–28 mpg combined
8.4–9.8 L/100km
Minicompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Engine complaints dominate what 2013 BRZ owners report, and the pattern is fairly consistent: stalling at speed, loss of power, and internal engine failures. Multiple owners describe the engine knocking or making grinding noises alongside a lit check-engine light and other warning lights appearing together. Several reports mention rod bearing failure specifically, with symptoms including severe knocking, power loss, and the car becoming undriveable. Stalling shows up across more than one report, both at low speeds and at highway speeds, sometimes requiring a tow. Electrical and exterior lighting complaints are present but limited to a couple of reports each, so they don't rise to a clear pattern. The engine knock and bearing failure combination, showing up after the car has accumulated some miles, is the most specific and recurring symptom owners describe.
63
Total Complaints
1
Fire-Related
By System
The 2013 Subaru BRZ has two recalls, the more serious being engine valve springs that can fracture, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly and raising the risk of a crash.
The second recall affects the owner's manual, which contains an inaccurate description of how the front passenger seat's occupant classification system works, along with sections about the airbag system that need clarification. In certain crash conditions, this misinformation could lead to improper seat or airbag use and raise the risk of injury to front seat occupants.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine valve springs may crack, which can cause the engine to malfunction or stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the valve springs at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual contains inaccurate information about how the front passenger airbag system determines whether to deploy the airbag, and other airbag system descriptions need clarification.
What the fix does
Subaru will mail a corrected owner's manual at no cost to clarify the airbag system operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
