The Subaru Brat spans 1981–1986 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1982, 1986, 1985 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1983, 1984. It delivers up to 25 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Subaru Brat is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1986 across multiple generations.
How to read a Subaru Brat VIN — every digit explained
Every Subaru Brat carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Subaru and the country it was built in (real Subaru codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Brat.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- JapanJF1 · JF2 · JF3 · JF4
- USA4S3 · 4S4
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Brat, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Subaru Brat have?
The Subaru Brat has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1986. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Subaru Brat
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 1982, 1986, 1985 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1983, 1984.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Brat | — | Best | |
| 1982 Brat | Tires | Avoid | |
| 1983 Brat | — | Best | |
| 1984 Brat | — | Best | |
| 1985 Brat | — | Avoid | |
| 1986 Brat | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Subaru Brat problems?
The most-reported Subaru Brat problems are Tires (1 reports) — out of 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Subaru Brat specifications & dimensions
The 1986 Subaru Brat. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Subaru Brat window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Subaru Brat cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Brat holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Subaru Brat tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Subaru Brat get?
The Subaru Brat returns up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,500/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1987 Subaru Brat (1.8L 4-cyl) gets 23 mpg combined and costs about $2,700/yr to fuel, emitting 386 g/mi CO₂ — about $2,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Brat | 21 | 26 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 Brat | 21 | 26 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 Brat | 23 | 28 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 Brat | 22 | 27 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Brat stacks up against the most fuel-efficient cars, or calculate this Brat's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Subaru Brat have? Power & range
The Subaru Brat is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.8L · 4-cyl | Manual 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Subaru Brat cost to own?
A Subaru Brat holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used Brat is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Brat loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Brat ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Subaru Brat safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Brat yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Subaru Brat last?
A well-maintained Subaru Brat typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Subaru Brat’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Brat’s VIN free →All Subaru Brat model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Subaru Brat — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Brat | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Brat | 0 | — | |
| 1984 Brat | 0 | — | |
| 1983 Brat | 0 | — | |
| 1982 Brat | 1 recall | — | |
| 1981 Brat | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Brat?
By owner-complaint volume, 1982, 1986, 1985 drew the most reports. 1981, 1983, 1984 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Brat have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1986. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Brat get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Brat last?
A well-maintained Brat typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Brat reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Brat is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Subaru Brat warranty?
New Subaru models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Subaru dealer.
Where is the Subaru Brat made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Brat's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Subaru may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Brat have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.