Used Subaru BRZ 1st Gen (2013–2020): Buyer's Guide

The 2013 Subaru BRZ has 63 NHTSA complaints on file. The 2017 model has 7. Same platform. Same engine family. Same body. Entirely different ownership history.

That gap is not random. The 2013 launched with valve springs that could fracture and stall the engine without warning. Subaru waited six years to issue the recall. When they finally did, some dealerships used too much sealant during the repair. The sealant mixed into the engine oil, clogged oil passages, and destroyed engines that had never failed on their own. Owners reported catastrophic failures within 3,000 miles of the recall service. That became a class-action lawsuit.

Buy a 2017 and forward, and none of that history follows you. Suspension was retuned. Power went up by 5 hp on the manual. The worst first-year issues were resolved. The NHTSA complaint record dropped from one of the noisiest in the segment to one of the quietest.

This guide covers the full 2013 to 2020 first generation. One engine. Every year, every trim, every issue with a specific mileage and dollar figure attached.

This Generation at a Glance

Platform: ZC6, shared with the Toyota 86 and Scion FR-S (ZN6 platform) U.S. years: 2013 to 2020 Engine: FA20D 2.0L naturally aspirated boxer-four Refresh: 2017 brought suspension revisions, a 5 hp bump on the manual, and a revised stability control threshold Transmissions: 6-speed manual (the one to get) or 6-speed Sport Lineartronic automatic

The 2017 power increase applies only to cars with the manual transmission. Automatic-equipped cars carried the 200 hp / 151 lb-ft rating through the end of production in 2020.

One fact worth knowing upfront: every first-generation BRZ, regardless of trim or year, shipped with a Torsen Type-2 limited-slip differential as standard equipment. It is not an upgrade. It is not a Limited exclusive. Every car has it.

See current listings by year at /market/subaru/brz.

Powertrain and Trim Breakdown

The FA20D Engine

The FA20D uses a dual-injection system Subaru calls D-4S: port and direct injection operating simultaneously. This combination improves fuel delivery and reduces the carbon buildup on intake valves that affects many pure direct-injection engines. The port injection washes the valves during operation, which matters for long-term engine health.

It is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four that makes peak power at 7,000 RPM. The power delivery is intentional. This car is engineered to reward drivers who use the rev range, not those who shift at 3,500 and cruise. If you drive it that way, it's engaging beyond what the power numbers suggest on paper.

Oil Consumption: The Critical 2013-2015 Issue

The most-discussed FA20D problem across owner forums is oil consumption, concentrated in 2013-2015 models. Subaru issued a technical service bulletin addressing the surface treatment of oil control piston rings. Affected cars required ring replacement to stop burning oil at unacceptable rates.

What "unacceptable" looks like in practice: some owners reported consuming a quart per 1,000 miles. Documented cases reached as high as a quart per 512 miles. A properly functioning FA20D consumes minimal oil between changes. If you're checking the dipstick before every fill-up on a car with fresh service, that is the piston ring issue showing up in real time.

Under warranty, Subaru replaced the rings at no charge. Out of warranty, piston ring replacement runs $1,500 to $3,500 because the engine must be substantially disassembled. This is a mandatory inspection point on any 2013-2015 BRZ you consider buying.

Valve Springs: The 2013-Specific Problem

In December 2018, five years after the BRZ launched, Subaru issued NHTSA recall campaign 18V-772 covering 2013 BRZ models. The valve springs could fracture, causing misfires, abnormal noise, and potential stalling while driving. The recall covered 139,324 U.S. vehicles.

Most owners got the fix done. That should have been the end of it.

A class-action lawsuit followed. Plaintiffs alleged that some dealerships used excess sealant during the valve spring replacement. That sealant mixed into the engine oil and clogged oil passages that kept the bottom end alive. Owners with healthy engines reported catastrophic failure within 3,000 miles of the recall service. The lawsuit alleged the fix increased the risk of engine failure rather than eliminating it.

The practical implication for a 2013 buyer: confirm the recall was performed using the VIN at /tools/recall-lookup. Then look for evidence the engine remained healthy after the repair. Any major engine work in the service records within 12 months of the valve spring recall date deserves a full explanation. Ask for the shop invoice.

2013 BRZs are not automatically bad buys. Most recalls were completed without incident. But the 2013 requires more due diligence than any other year in this generation.

Coil Packs: A 2013-2014 Annoyance

Early BRZs, primarily 2013 and 2014 models, experienced coil pack overheating that caused misfires and accelerated spark plug wear. Subaru addressed this with TSB 07-120-17R, introducing a revised engine harness and updated ignition coil design. Cars built from 2015 forward received the improved hardware from the factory.

Symptoms to watch for: rough idle, misfire codes in the P0350 to P0354 range, stumble under acceleration. The repair cost is modest. Coil packs run $40 to $80 each; a full spark plug set is around $100. Catch it early and it is a minor repair. Let it run with persistent misfires and you risk saturating the catalytic converter with unburned fuel.

Spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles per Subaru's schedule. Use OEM-spec iridium plugs.

Power Steering: A 2013-2015 Wear Pattern

BRZs built between January 2013 and December 2015 have a documented pattern of premature wear in the electric power steering assembly. The root cause is usually the steering control module and its wiring harness. Replacing both items restores normal steering without requiring a full rack replacement.

On any 2013-2015 BRZ, turn the wheel lock to lock while stationary and feel for inconsistency or resistance. Any EPS warning light in the cluster is the module reaching the end of its life. Budget this repair into your offer price if you find it.

Manual Transmission: What to Test

The 6-speed manual is the right choice for this car. It is what the BRZ was designed around.

Cold-weather synchro wear is well-documented in early models. On a cold morning, first and second gear can feel notchy and resistant to clean shifts. This pattern is not universal, but multiple owners reported synchro failure requiring transmission rebuild or replacement at 25,000 to 41,000 miles. Those repairs were warranty items when caught in time. On a used car at those mileages, they are not.

Test drive the car cold if you can. Shift through first and second gear in the first five minutes. Any grinding, excessive notchiness, or refusal to accept a smooth upshift is a red flag.

Clutch replacement runs $1,598 to $2,007 at a shop. On any car over 80,000 miles with enthusiast history, factor that in as a near-term expense.

Automatic Transmission: Honest Assessment

The 6-speed automatic returns 27 to 28 MPG combined versus 24 for the manual. That is the main argument for it.

The automatic has its own issues: slipping and delayed shifting are the primary reported complaints. These cars are a small fraction of the used BRZ market because enthusiast buyers chose the manual at a high rate when new.

If your use case requires an automatic, inspect accordingly. If you have a choice, get the manual.

Track Use and Rod Bearings

The FA20D has a documented oil pressure sensitivity during sustained cornering at high lateral G. Data collected at track events shows oil pressure dropping into the low 20s PSI in fast right-hand corners, where it should maintain 50 to 60 PSI. This condition can starve rod bearings and lead to bottom-end failure on cars driven hard at track days.

This is not a daily-driver concern. It is a concern if you are buying a car with evidence of track use and the oil change records show anything unusual, or if the car was never set up with an aftermarket oil catch or baffled pan.

Listen for bottom-end rod knock at idle and under light throttle. A deep, rhythmic knock that follows RPM and does not fade at operating temperature means the bearings are already gone. Walk away from that car.

Trim-Specific Notes

Premium: The base trim. Cloth seats, standard 17-inch alloys, manual HVAC, basic head unit. The driving experience is identical to every other BRZ. Buyers who chose Premium prioritized cost and weight over comfort features. No reliability penalty for this trim.

Limited: Adds leather and Alcantara seat surfaces, heated front seats, automatic climate control, and a Harman head unit. On 2017-2020 models, the Harman amplifier has a documented TSB for buzzing, crackling, and intermittent max volume due to internal amp failure. Play the stereo for five minutes before you buy a 2017-2020 Limited. Any distortion or crackling means the amp needs replacement.

Series.Yellow (2017) and Series.HyperBlue (2015): Special edition colorways with specific exterior paint, unique badging, and minor interior accents. Mechanically identical to the Premium trim. Some buyers pay a premium for the rarity; no reliability difference from a standard car.

tS (2018-2020): The performance trim. Comes only with the 6-speed manual. Includes STI-tuned suspension with revised spring and damper rates, Brembo front brake calipers, and a more aggressively tuned Torsen differential. The Brembo hardware means a huge selection of aftermarket brake pads at competitive prices.

If you plan to track the car or autocross it, target the tS. The stock suspension calibration is sharper out of the box, and Brembo stops are genuinely better hardware. For daily driving, the standard BRZ suspension is already firm enough. The tS ride quality is noticeably stiffer and is not worth the premium if you are commuting.

Which Model Year to Target

The sweet spot is 2017 to 2019. The 2017 refresh resolved the majority of first-gen issues. A 2017 BRZ Limited with under 60,000 miles hits the best combination of price, reliability history, and driving quality.

For the most performance-ready used BRZ, the 2018 or 2019 tS is the target. Brembo hardware and STI suspension from the factory, at used-car prices.

Avoid the 2013 unless: you can confirm the valve spring recall was completed cleanly, the post-recall engine history is documented and normal, and the price reflects the additional uncertainty you are accepting.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

These are first-gen BRZ-specific items. A general pre-purchase inspection applies too, but these are what matter for this car.

All Years

• Cold start test: Start the engine cold. Listen for any rhythmic ticking that follows RPM and does not fade after 5 minutes at operating temperature. That pattern is valve train or rod bearing damage. It is a walk-away condition.
• Oil level check before driving: Pull the dipstick before the test drive on any 2013-2015. A level significantly below the max mark on a car that was supposedly maintained means active oil consumption. Do not buy that car without a piston ring inspection first.
• Oil filler cap check: Look for milky residue or emulsification inside the cap. That indicates coolant mixing with oil. Head gasket concern.
• Transmission cold shift: Drive cold. Shift 1st to 2nd to 3rd in the first five minutes. Notchiness or resistance in first and second gear points to synchro wear.
• Differential noise check: Windows down, full lock turns at low speed. Any grinding or clunking from the rear is differential wear.
• VIN recall check: Run the VIN at /tools/recall-lookup before you consider any 2013 or 2014.

2013 Specific

• Confirm NHTSA campaign 18V-772 (valve spring) is complete.
• Check service records for any major engine work within 12 months of the valve spring recall service date.
• If the recall was completed and the subsequent records are clean, the car is not automatically a problem. But verify it specifically.

2013-2015 Specific

• Power steering: At idle, turn the wheel slowly lock to lock. Inconsistency, unusual resistance, or any EPS warning light in the cluster indicates the steering module and harness are failing. This is a repair cost item, not a walk-away condition if priced accordingly.

2017-2020 Limited Specific

• Harman amplifier: Turn on the audio system and let it play for five minutes at moderate volume. Buzzing, crackling, or sudden volume drops indicate the internal amp failure addressed by the Harman TSB. Ask if it has been replaced.

Track Exposure Flag

• Check wheel wells and undercarriage for signs of aggressive driving: unusual wear on suspension components, heat discoloration, lowering springs, or aftermarket coilovers. None of these are automatic disqualifiers, but they mean you should listen harder for rod knock and clutch slippage.

Running Costs

Premium fuel is required across all first-gen BRZ trims and years. At current prices, that runs $400 to $500 more per year than a regular-fuel car at equivalent MPG. Factor it in.

Tires are an underappreciated cost. The stock 215/45R17 tires wear faster than average on a car people drive the way a BRZ invites you to drive. Performance replacement sets run $500 to $800 installed.

FAQ

Is the 1st gen Subaru BRZ reliable? For 2016-2020 models, yes. NHTSA complaint counts for those years are 1 to 3 per year, and major mechanical failures are rare among properly maintained examples. The 2013-2015 generation has documented oil consumption, coil pack, and power steering issues that require specific inspection before buying. A well-maintained BRZ from any year can reach 150,000 miles without major failure.

What year Subaru BRZ should I avoid? The 2013 model deserves the most caution. It carries 63 NHTSA complaints, a valve spring recall with documented post-repair engine failures at some dealerships, and the widest range of first-year issues in the generation. The 2014 and 2015 are acceptable with targeted inspection of oil consumption and electric power steering. From 2016 onward, the complaint record is minimal.

Does the 1st gen BRZ have a limited-slip differential? Yes, on every car. All 2013-2020 BRZs shipped with a Torsen Type-2 limited-slip differential as standard equipment. It is not a Limited or tS exclusive. Every trim, every year has it. The 2018-2020 tS uses a more aggressively tuned version of the same unit, paired with Brembo front brakes and STI-calibrated suspension.

How many miles does a first-gen Subaru BRZ last? Properly maintained examples reach 150,000 to 200,000 miles routinely. The critical variable is oil management and service history. The FA20D can lose oil pressure during sustained cornering at track speeds, which accelerates rod bearing wear on cars driven at the limit regularly. Check the service records. A car with consistent oil changes and no evidence of hard track use is a very different risk profile than one without.

Should I get the manual or automatic BRZ? Get the manual. The BRZ was designed around a high-revving, tactile drivetrain, and the automatic removes the most engaging part of the ownership experience. The 2017-2020 manual also produces 205 hp versus the automatic's 200 hp. If traffic or preference genuinely requires an automatic, the car works fine that way. But if you have a choice, the 6-speed manual is the car.

Bottom Line

The 2017 to 2019 Subaru BRZ is one of the best-value used sports cars on the market right now. It handles better than cars costing twice as much, ships with a standard Torsen LSD, and carries a nearly clean NHTSA record for those years. The 2018 and 2019 tS trims add Brembo brakes and STI suspension for buyers planning track or autocross use.

Avoid the 2013 without documented proof that the valve spring recall history is clean. Check oil consumption specifically on any 2013-2015 before making an offer.

Run every VIN through a recall check. CarScout members can track price drops on specific BRZ years and trims at usecarscout.com.

Data sourced from NHTSA recalls database, EPA fuel economy data, and real owner experiences from FT86Club.com, r/ft86, r/subaruBRZ, CarComplaints.com, Grassroots Motorsports forums, and subarubrzforum.com. See the full Subaru BRZ market data for current pricing and inventory.