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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2013–2024

Subaru BRZ recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 101 owner complaints for the Subaru BRZ, covering model years 2013 to 2024. The 2013 model year drew the most complaints (64), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Subaru BRZ VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 101 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 11 model years with data (2013–2024)
  • most complaints: 2013 (64 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (65 complaints)
  • latest recall 23V609000 (reported Aug 31, 2023)
  • 2 complaints reporting a crash (2.0%)
  • 3 complaints reporting a fire (3.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Subaru BRZ complaints by model year

11 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2013 model year has the most complaints: 64 of 101, or 63.4%. Next come 2022 (10) and 2017 (7). The fewest are for 2023, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Subaru BRZ owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2013–2024Column chart of 101 complaints across 12 model years. The highest is 2013 with 64. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2013: 64 complaints6420132014: 6 complaints620142015: 3 complaints320152016: 3 complaints320162017: 7 complaints720172018: 1 complaint120182019: 1 complaint120192020: 2 complaints220202021: 0 complaints20212022: 10 complaints1020222023: 1 complaint120232024: 3 complaints32024
Subaru BRZ complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Subaru BRZ complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2013640100
201460100
201530000
201631000
201771100
201810000
201910000
202020000
2022100000
202310000
202430000
All model years1012300

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Subaru BRZ components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 65 complaints (64.4% of all 101), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (7) and Electrical System (5).

Components named most often in Subaru BRZ complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Subaru BRZ complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine6564.4%
Unknown or Other1211.9%
Fuel/Propulsion System76.9%
Electrical System55.0%
Exterior Lighting55.0%
Power Train55.0%
Service Brakes44.0%
Visibility/Wiper44.0%
Engine and Engine Cooling33.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline33.0%
Air Bags22.0%
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility22.0%
Seats22.0%
Structure22.0%
Suspension22.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Subaru BRZ recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name BRZ, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2013 to 2022. The 2013 and 2018 model years appear in the most campaigns (2 each).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Subaru BRZ recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2013: 2 campaigns2014: no campaigns2015: no campaigns2016: no campaigns2017: no campaigns2018: 2 campaigns2019: 1 campaign
2020: no campaigns2021: no campaigns2022: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 23V609000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal

    Model year 2022

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 BRZ and Toyota GR86 vehicles. The rear turn signals may intermittently become inoperative.

    Consequence:
    Inoperative rear turn signals may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace both rear combination lamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Subaru owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Subaru's number for this recall is WRM-23.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 21V587000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump

    Model years 2018–2019

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Consequence:
    Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 18V935000

    Reported

    Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices

    Model year 2018

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

    Consequence:
    Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
    Remedy:
    Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 18V772000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine

    Model year 2013

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.

    Consequence:
    An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  5. NHTSA campaign 12V254000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual

    Model year 2013

    Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 BRZ vehicles manufactured from November 25, 2011, through May 25, 2012. The owner’s manual contains an inaccurate description of the actual operation of the front passenger occupant classification system. Other portions of the owner’s manual, describing the air bag system, require clarification. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, “occupant crash protection.”

    Consequence:
    Misinformation could lead to an increased risk of injury to front seat occupants during certain crash conditions.
    Remedy:
    Subaru will notify owners, and will mail corrected owner’s manuals, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 19, 2012. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Subaru BRZ questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Subaru BRZ have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Subaru BRZ, covering model years 2013 to 2024. The most recent, 23V609000, was reported on August 31, 2023 and is filed under “Exterior lighting”. The 2013 and 2018 model years are covered by the most campaigns (2 each).

Which Subaru BRZ model year has the most complaints?

The 2013 model year, with 64 of the 101 complaints in NHTSA’s file (63.4%). The next are 2022 (10) and 2017 (7). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Subaru BRZ complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 65 complaints, or 64.4% of all 101. Fuel/Propulsion System (7) and Electrical System (5) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Subaru BRZ?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Subaru dealer.

How many Subaru BRZ complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 101 complaints, 2 report a crash, 3 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Subaru models

8 models · most complaints first

The Subaru models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Subaru VIN decoder with every Subaru model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Subaru models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.