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Subaru BRZ VIN Check

NHTSA holds 95 owner complaints on the Subaru BRZ from 64 production runs; the worst run has 6, the typical one 1.5.

NHTSA complaint records · 95 complaints · 64 runs · 2013–2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported BRZ run is JF1ZCAC13D1 (2013 builds) with 6 complaints, 4× the typical run. Engine problems make up 61% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 1.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for BRZ model years 2013–2022.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Subaru BRZ has 64 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 21% of every BRZ complaint on file.

FIG.01·Subaru BRZ — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
JF1ZCAC13D1••••••20136——
JF1ZCAC11D1••••••20134—1
JF1ZCAC13D2••••••20134——
JF1ZCAC15D1••••••20133——
JF1ZDBE18N9••••••20223——
JF1ZCAC15D2••••••20133——
JF1ZCAC10D2••••••20132——
JF1ZCAB11D1••••••20132——
JF1ZCAC14D2••••••20132——
JF1ZCAC10D1••••••20132——
JF1ZCAB19D2••••••20132——
JF1ZCAC16D1••••••20132——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 52 BRZ runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 36 BRZ VINs so far, most often 2015, 2024, 2022 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Subaru BRZ the gap between build years is 1.8×: a 2013 car draws 1.8 complaints per run, a 2014 one 1.

FIG.02·Subaru BRZ — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2024133—
20221.4107—
20171.2761
20161331
2015133—
2014155—
20131.85933—
ROWS 7·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2013 at 1.8 complaints per run; lightest is 2014 at 1. The 2024 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 61% of everything Subaru BRZ owners report: Engine, 63 of 95 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Subaru BRZ — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Engine63—2
Unknown Or Other1211
Fuel/propulsion System7—1
Exterior Lighting5——
Power Train5——
Electrical System4——
Service Brakes41—
Engine And Engine Cooling3——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 5 recall campaigns on the Subaru BRZ; the 5 below cover build years 2013 to 2022. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Subaru BRZ — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
21V587000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump2018–2019
23V609000Exterior Lighting:turn Signal2022
18V935000Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices2018
18V772000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine2013
12V254000Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual2013
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

21V587000 was opened in 2021 on cars built from 2018: 3 years on the road before the recall.

The BRZ against its rivals

The BRZ draws 1.5 complaints per production run; the Toyota GR86 1.3. That is the highest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Subaru BRZ VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Subaru BRZ95641.52.1%
Toyota GR8647351.32.1%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 95 reports on the Subaru BRZ, 2.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Subaru BRZ — complaint severity
OutcomeSubaru BRZAll vehicles
Complaints filed951,115,966
Involved a crash2 (2.1%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire3 (3.2%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported058,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 64% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Subaru BRZ share of that is 95 complaints over 64 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.

Everything on the Subaru BRZ
Recalls13 campaignsFuel economy28 mpg bestReliability5.0/5Common problems101 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space7 cu ftUsed prices261 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2013–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Subaru BRZ VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 95 NHTSA complaints from 64 BRZ runs and 5 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which BRZ production run has the most complaints?

JF1ZCAC13D1, a 2013 build, with 6 complaints. The typical BRZ run has 1.5.

Which BRZ years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 1.8 complaints per run and 2014 lightest at 1.

Does the BRZ get more complaints than the Toyota GR86?

Yes: 1.5 complaints per production run for the BRZ against 1.3 for the Toyota GR86.

How many BRZ complaints involve a crash?

2.1% of 95 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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