Best and worst Subaru BRZ years — which to avoid

Getting a used Subaru BRZ may be one of the best moves you can make on the market for a vehicle of this type, but only if you go for the most reliable options. Luckily, most of the model years have proven to be pretty dependable, but there are few exceptions to this rule.

While the engine itself is a gem of the automotive industry, many arising issues made drivers wonder about the best years to buy and worst Subaru BRZ years to avoid and our team is here to help. We’ll explore the model’s overall reliability through a series of tests as we compare factual and double-checked information on Subaru BRZ years and ratings, so stay tuned for the details.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Subaru BRZ years

While evaluating the best and worst Subaru BRZ years, our team used reliability scores and records from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, NHTSA, and similar organizations. We also considered common problem listings that we’ve found on those sites, as well as through driver records on Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Consumer Reports.

We also visited Subaru BRZ forums where fellow drivers shared their personal experiences so we could check the information we got from the records. Based on all those sources, we were able to come up with a list of both the best and worst-rated model years, so let’s take a closer look.

Most common Subaru BRZ problems

The BRZ is a pinnacle of a high-revving four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine, full stop. It’s a unique powertrain you’ll find in the automotive world, but there have been other Subaru BRZ common problems that affected the reliability ratings of some generation models.

So, we’ll discuss those issues further to make sure you understand why certain model years need to be avoided.

1. Problems with head gasket cracks

After some time of driving their first-gen BRZ, drivers have reported seeing slight oil and coolant leaks under the car. As it turns out, the vehicle suffers from the potential to develop a head gasket crack. Some of the main symptoms of a blown head gasket include oil and coolant leaks and if these two mix up, the engine could completely seize.

The head gasket is supposed to keep the fluids sealed within the engine and prevent any sort of mixing up or leaking outside. So, it’s an expensive repair to make, but we have to hand it to Subaru since they made the aluminum head to reduce the weight. They thought about everything to give you the best driving experience, but it turns out that this decision wasn’t the best one for the car’s reliability.

2. Cracked valve springs

Besides the potential head gasket leaks, another engine-related issue that the BRZ comes with is in the cracked valve springs. In case of a valve spring fracture, there’s a risk of complete engine stalling and it’s the last thing you want to happen to such a capable powertrain as the boxer engine in this car.

Valve springs are essential for keeping the valves closed when necessary during the combustion cycle, so they may be left open in case of a spring fracture. This compromises the engine’s timing cycle and could potentially ruin the engine completely, resulting in a complete rebuild that’s quite expensive for this model.

Also, the specific design of the boxer engine requires an expert in these engines alone, and that’s another difficulty since you may have a hard time finding a mechanic suitable for the job. Luckily, this problem was mostly present with the 2013 BRZ and it was resolved during an official recall that Subaru did in 2018. So, you have two options – either avoid the 2013 BRZ or make sure you get a unit that has its springs replaced by the manufacturer.

3. Fuel delivery system issues

Subaru BRZ cars are equipped with a low-pressure fuel pump that is supposed to push the fuel from the tank into the fuel lines and toward the injectors. However, these pumps are sadly prone to premature failure, so this may cause a lean condition and the engine not firing at all. Even worse, it could lead to a problem with engine stalling while driving which is something you probably wish to avoid at all costs.

The good thing is – Subaru also scheduled a recall to tackle this issue like the valve spring fracture problem, and it included the 2018-2019 BRZ models. There are some signs of this problem like reduced engine power, rough idling, and poor performance, but it’s better not to risk it and go with another BRZ model instead.

4. Shaking mirrors

Finally, the last problem we’ll discuss luckily isn’t associated with crucial systems like the powertrain or the fuel delivery, but it can be a tricky issue. Namely, drivers have stated that the side mirrors shake and vibrate while driving at higher speeds, and that’s a bad thing for the visibility inside the cabin.

There’s also the matter of a bad camera inside the rearview mirror that’s supposed to turn on while driving in reverse. Overall, it’s worth checking the mirrors before buying a used BRZ so you hopefully won’t have a visibility issue.

Worst Subaru BRZ years to avoid

Some Subaru BRZ years are not as much of a good pick as others, and that’s perfectly fine. While we might have scared you with the listed issues, having 3 or 4 problems in the whole generation isn’t as bad as it sounds. So, here’s a full list of the Subaru BRZ model years you should avoid:

• 2013
• 2018

Since the second generation of the BRZ has only started its journey recently, we’ll focus on the known first-gen years to avoid.

First-generation Subaru BRZ (2013 model year)

The first model year of the BRZ still stands for a reliable car, but it’s the most problematic one out of all the BRZ models. It’s no wonder since it’s common for car manufacturers to test the new model with the initial year and fix the found problems later on, which is just what happened with this car.

The 2013 BRZ had a few issues with the engine cooling and valve spring cracks that we discussed. These are serious issues and it’s safer to go with a 2014 or 2015 one if you can afford it to avoid the trouble. Also, the initial model year struggled with misinformation about the passenger restraint system due to unclear statements in the owner’s manual.

Finally, the 2013 model struggled with some crucial sensors like oxygen sensors that provide information to the ECU and affect the combustion.

Second-generation Subaru BRZ (2018 model year)

The 2018 model had the most problems with the fuel delivery system, and while these were present with the 2019 model as well, they weren’t so frequent.

Other than those, there weren’t any particular issues with this model and it mostly received positive criticism even though it’s deemed one of the worst-rated years, which is a testament to the overall reliability of this model.

What are the best Subaru BRZ years to buy?

After going through the bad model years, it’s now time to focus on the best ones you can find on the used car market. Because of that, you might be wondering what are the best Subaru BRZ years to buy. The best Subaru years to buy include:

• 2015 Subaru BRZ
• 2016 Subaru BRZ
• 2017 Subaru BRZ
• 2019 Subaru BRZ
• 2020 Subaru BRZ

We’ll be discussing a few of these that received the least criticism in more detail so you can have a complete overview of what to expect.

2015 Subaru BRZ

The 2015 Subaru BRZ is one of the best-rated options out there with just under 10 complaints ever being submitted to NHTSA. It also received positive results in crash tests and reliability scores, making it a safe overall pick among the lineup.

Plus, 2015 is one of the rare model years where drivers haven’t reported major oil or coolant leaks in the engine bay, so that makes it one of the most reliable options to go for on the used car market.

2019 Subaru BRZ

Despite the minor fuel delivery system issues, the 2019 BRZ stands for one of the best model years since it received the least complaints along with the 2020 one. Still, the overall reliability of the car makes this model one of the best options on the market if you are looking for a responsive compact sportscar with considerable performance.

Is Subaru BRZ worth buying?

As the time comes to draw the line and decide on the reliability of the Subaru BRZ, our team had an easier job than it might have seemed after we listed the problems. To put it simply, it’s a genuinely good car with a lot of potential for customization, and it makes a reliable choice in this class.

Perhaps it’s even one of the most reliable compact sportscars and a worthy successor to the boxer engine dynasty that started with the Impreza. So, we can recommend this model to all interested buyers as long as you simply avoid the 2013 model due to engine issues.

For those eyeing the classic Ford Mustang, sleek Audi TT, or dynamic BMW Z4, our guides pinpoint the years to target and those to skip, ensuring a smart pick with ease.