The 2013 draws 1.79 complaints per run and the 2016 1, a 1.8-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age, so 72.6% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Engine, with 63 complaints, typically at 5.3 years.
Subaru BRZ years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 3 | too new | |
| 2022 | 10 | 7 | too new | |
| 2017 | 7 | 6 | yes | |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 | yes | |
| 2013 | 59 | 33 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2013 BRZ asks a median $15,500, against $13,995 for a 2014, the next model year: 11% more, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.
Among the 5 Subaru BRZ years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2013, 2017, 2014; the three worth hunting are 2016, 2015, 2014.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 14.7% | covered | |
| 1 year | 25.3% | covered | |
| 2 years | 27.4% | covered | |
| 3 years | 32.6% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 34.7% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 41.1% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 74.7% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 87.4% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 92.6% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 94.7% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 97.9% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 98.9% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 27.4% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 72.6% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 75% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Subaru BRZ, the early trouble is Fuel/propulsion System and Exterior Lighting — reported at around 3.9 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Engine at 5.3 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.3 yrs | — | 2 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3.9 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1.8 yrs | — | — | |
| Power Train | 5.8 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 3.3 yrs | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 4.8 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5.7 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the BRZ's vehicle class. Per production run, the Porsche 911 draws 1.48 and the Mini Cooper 5.55, against 1.48 for the BRZ.
| Same class as the BRZ | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 287 | 1981–2026 | |
| Mini Cooper | 33 | 2002–2010 | |
| Toyota 86 | 5 | 2017–2020 | |
| Toyota GR86 | 4 | 2022–2026 | |
| Fiat 500 | 33 | 2012–2019 | |
| Porsche 944 | 14 | 1981–1991 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Subaru BRZ reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.48 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 2 class rivals we compared.
Which BRZ years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2013, 2017, 2014. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2016, 2015, 2014. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do BRZ problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age. The most reported system is Engine, typically at 5.3 years, followed by Unknown Or Other.
Will the warranty cover BRZ problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 27.4% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 75% of the complaints here.
Is the BRZ more reliable than the Porsche 911?
About the same: 1.48 complaints per production run for the BRZ against 1.48 for the Porsche 911.
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