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2013 Subaru BRZ
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
63 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 15, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (75% of complaints, typically reported near 5k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 Subaru BRZ, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Fuel system (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
75%47 complaints · typically near 5k mi
“BLOWN SHORT BLOCK / CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD, BROKEN CONNECTING ROD, $7000+ ESTIMATES FOR ENGINE REBUILD. MY BRZ STALLED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY.”
Fuel system
8%5 complaints
“AFTER AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALER REPAIRED CAR RELATED TO VALVE SPRING RECALL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SUBARU DEALER DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. CAR HAS GONE IN AN…”
Visibility & wipers
6%4 complaints
“THE HOMELINK REAR VIEW MIRROR MOUNT FAILED AND THE MIRROR FELL ONTO THE CENTER CONSOLE, HITTING THE CENTER AIR VENTS AND DAMAGING THE MOLDING, ALSO HITTING THE SHIFT K…”
Electrical system
5%3 complaints
“ARGUABLY SYSTEMIC ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BATTERY WENT DEAD -RE CHARGED AND THEN ULTIMATELY REPLACED BY DEALER SWITCH FOR PASSENGER WINDOW ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WAS RE…”
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 18V772000
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.
Equipment · 12V254000
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 THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, REQUIRE CLARIFICATION. AS SUCH, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.
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.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Subaru BRZ beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every BRZ model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Subaru BRZ against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.