Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru BRZ, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39 | 61% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 5% |
| Engine | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Hello, My name is [XXX] and I have a Subaru BRZ 2013 which harbors a valve spring recall (NHTSA Campaign ID 18V-772, Subaru Recall WTY-84). In seeking help to repair this, I had a customer experience that can be viewed a
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru BRZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer wher
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
From the very first day I had these brakes pads installed they performed terribly. At low speeds, under 25mph, they would shriek and slightly shake the vehicle; far worse response at higher speeds. I read somewhere onlin
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
We took the car into the dealership due to an engine light being on and the recall was something they informed us about and we decided to take care of it all at the same time. We have never recieved safety recall infor
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Took my 2013 BRZ Limited in for the Valve Spring recall. After work completed I was unable to get my car home before I had severe knocking, CEL, and power failure. Car was at dealership for over a month. After I got it b
NHTSA complaint: Engine
BLOWN SHORT BLOCK / CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD, BROKEN CONNECTING ROD, $7000+ ESTIMATES FOR ENGINE REBUILD. MY BRZ STALLED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru BRZ. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehic
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I HAD MY BRZ RECALL REPAIR IN THE SPRING OF 2019. IT TOOK ABOUT 3 WEEKS FOR THE SUBARU DEALER TO FIX THE SPRING VALVE. WHEN I RECEIVED IT BACK, MY ENGINE FELT A LITTLE ROUGH AND HAD A HIGH IDLE AND MADE SOME NOISE. DUE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 Subaru BRZ. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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 owners may contact Subaru cu
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 BRZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 25, 2011, THROUGH MAY 25, 2012. THE OWNERS MANUAL CONTAINS AN INACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. OTHER PORTIONS OF THE OWNERS MANUAL, DESCRIBING
Risk: MISINFORMATION COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
Fix: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WILL MAIL CORRECTED OWNERS MANUALS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 68 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 39 of them (61%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.