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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-SUBARU-BRZ NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2013 · Subaru

Subaru BRZ problems

63 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

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Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 BRZ?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
44 reports · fails ~63,820 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
3 reports · fails ~4,000 mi · avg $850
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 BRZ's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 BRZ?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 BRZ · engine
My car was running with any issue until right after the recall repair. The recall (valve springs) repair was performed during the week of may 6th, 2019. I picked up the car on may 11, 2019 and the engine stalled a few times on the road on the same day when I drove the car…
11/28/2020 · at 52,400 mi · NHTSA ODI #11376871.0 · see engine pattern →
2013 BRZ · steering
There is a strange problem with the steering on these cars and the Scion frs equivalent. The problem is reported on the message boards but however this was only recalled in new zealand.going over and small bump the electronic steering rattles. It rattles at first and gets worse…
11/23/2018 · at 30,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11153282.0
2013 BRZ · engine
On july 17 2019 we bought the 2013 Subaru brz from a BMW dealership. At the time of sale we were advised that the vehicle had an open recall, therefore we had asked that the recall be serviced prior to taking possession of the vehicle. The service was completed at another…
11/21/2019 · at 91,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11281474.0 · see engine pattern →
2013 BRZ · engine
Driving under normal conditions and started hearing something that sounded like fireworks under the hood of the car. I immediately parked it and researched. The issue appeared to be a failure of the seal on the direct injector for the fuel system. I had it repaired at the…
11/21/2014 · at 22,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10659973.0 · see engine pattern →
View all 63 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Subaru BRZ? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 12V254000 June 5, 2012

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 brz vehicles manufactured from november 25, 2011, through may 25, 2012

Misinformation could lead to an increased risk of injury to front seat occupants during certain crash conditions.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Subaru BRZ reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Subaru BRZ is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2013 Subaru BRZ?

On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Subaru BRZ does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Subaru BRZ?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 44 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,820 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 63,820 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Subaru BRZ has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Subaru BRZ?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 63 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Subaru/BRZ. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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