2013 Subaru Brz: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Subaru Brz: 2 recalls, 64 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #12V254000 · 2012 · 1,886 vehicles
What's wrong: The ownerâs manual contains an inaccurate description of the actual operation of the front passenger occupant classification system. Other portions of the ownerâs manual, describing the air bag system, require clarification. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) no. 208, âoccupant crash protection.â
Why it matters: Misinformation could lead to an increased risk of injury to front seat occupants during certain crash conditions.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and will mail corrected ownerâs manuals, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 19, 2012.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #18V772000 · 2018 · 165,534 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru impreza, 2012-2013 impreza stationwagon, 2013 Subaru brz, xv crosstrek and Toyota Scion fr-s vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles May fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Why it matters: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the fr-s owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (47): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (25), noise or vibration (24), warning light on (12).
- Other / unknown (7): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (3).
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Visibility/Wiper (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2013 Subaru Brz has 64 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 11 Brz model years for complaints (7.0× the average Brz year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 52,400 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (6 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 28 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Subaru Brz.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Subaru Brz have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Subaru Brz. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Subaru Brz problems?
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (47), other / unknown (7), electrical (3).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Subaru Brz get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Subaru Brz repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.