Is the 2013 Subaru BRZ reliable?

The 2013 Subaru BRZ has 80 complaints filed with NHTSA (8.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Subaru BRZ?

Top problems: ENGINE (49 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (9 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Subaru BRZ?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Subaru BRZ?

The 2013 Subaru BRZ gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Subaru BRZ?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Subaru BRZ is approximately $2,187/year (coupe-sports class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Subaru BRZ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Subaru BRZ has 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 8.0x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is engine problems (61% of all complaints), specifically: chirping/squeaking sound possibly from the engine's high pressure fuel pump noise occurs upon de-acceleration at 28mph w/ car in neutral see subaru tsb 2013my brz no. 09-54-12r dated 10/03/12. *tr. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

8.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

49 complaints

61%

• CHIRPING/SQUEAKING SOUND POSSIBLY FROM THE ENGINE'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOISE OCCURS UPON DE-ACCELERATION AT 28MPH W/ CAR IN NEUTRAL SEE SUBARU TSB 2013MY BRZ NO. 09-54-12R DATED 10/03/12. *TR
• I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY OCCUR ON MY CAR AS WELL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A MISFIRE IN ONE OF THE CYLINDER. DIRECT INJECTOR WENT BAD CAUSING DETONATION. THIS IS NOW BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. YET, THE MANUFACTURE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS
• DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND STARTED HEARING SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE FIREWORKS UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PARKED IT AND RESEARCHED. THE ISSUE APPEARED TO BE A FAILURE OF THE SEAL ON THE DIRECT INJECTOR FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“CHIRPING/SQUEAKING SOUND POSSIBLY FROM THE ENGINE'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOISE OCCURS UPON DE-ACCELERATION AT 28MPH W/ CAR IN NEUTRAL SEE SUBARU TSB 2013MY BRZ NO. 09-54-12R DATED 10/03/12. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Subaru BRZ

Based on 69 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 60K mi · 41 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE01/11/2018

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 customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Subaru BRZ

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,455/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Subaru BRZ

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,187

Full coverage / month

$182

Liability only / year

$754

vs US avg

+31%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (coupe-sports)1.42x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$2187

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru BRZ Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2013 BRZ, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 80 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: CHIRPING/SQUEAKING SOUND POSSIBLY FROM THE ENGINE'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOISE OCCURS UPON DE-ACCELERATION AT 28MPH W/ CAR IN NEUTRAL SEE SUBARU TSB 2013MY BRZ NO. 09-54-12R DATED 10/03/12. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE RADIO HEAD UNIT TOUCHSCREEN IS FAIRLY UNRESPONSIVE TO THE TOUCH AND BUTTONS ARE TOO SMALL. FORCES DRIVER TO SPEND MORE TIME LOOKING AT UNIT WHILE DRIVING THAN A RESPONSIVE TOUCH SCREEN WITH LARGER BUTTONS. SEVERAL TIMES I WAS FRUSTRATED WHEN SCREEN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE TOUCH OR WHEN THE "S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: CHIRPING/SQUEAKING SOUND POSSIBLY FROM THE ENGINE'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOISE OCCURS UPON DE-ACCELERATION AT 28MPH W/ CAR IN NEUTRAL SEE SUBARU TSB 2013MY BRZ NO. 09-54-12R DATED 10/03/12. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: GASKETS AROUND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS (INCLUDING STATIONARY TRIANGULAR PANES) AS WELL AS PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS DO NOT CREATE A GOOD SEAL AND ALLOW MOISTURE TO ENTER FROM OUTSIDE FROM THINGS SUCH AS RAIN OR REGULAR HAND WASHING. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)