VIN REPORT
JF1ZCAC14H86007882017 SUBARU BRZHigh
Risk Score
20
MODERATE RISK
out of 100
Safety Recalls
Clear
No active recalls
NHTSA Complaints
7
Reported to NHTSA
Safety Rating
Not Tested
See iihs.org/ratings
Vehicle Age
9 yrs
Made in JAPAN
Safety Grade
B-
Score: 80/100
Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄
Executive Summary
2017 SUBARU BRZ was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- ▸Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
20/100
Moderate Risk
1 moderate risk signal detected. Negotiate accordingly and verify service history.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
Contributing Risk Factors — 1 detected
Critical deferred maintenance — safety-critical components overdue
+20
Critical Alerts
Title Brand CheckMined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle
Vehicle SpecificationsDecoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- SUBARU
- Model
- BRZ
- Year
- 2017
- Trim / Series
- High
- Body Style
- Coupe
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L 200 hp
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Doors
- 2
- Manufacturer
- SUBARU CORPORATION
- Assembly
- OTA, GUNMA, JAPAN
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
- Base MSRP
- $25,495
Assembly Plant QualityPlant: OTA, GUNMA
CQuality55/100
Standard📍 OTA, GUNMA
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety
Safety IntelligenceComposite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
Overall Safety Grade
B-
Score: 80/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety30/30
Complaint History30/30
Recall Risk Score
0/100Clear
✓ No high-risk recall components found
Modern Safety Index
15/100
Basic
5 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning
Fire Risk Assessment
Low- ▸1 complaint(s) involved a fire
Driver Assistance FeaturesADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Forward Collision Warning?Unknown
Automatic Emergency Braking?Unknown
Pedestrian AEB?Unknown
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure Warning?Unknown
Lane Keep Assist?Unknown
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise Control?Unknown
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High Beam✓Standard
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup Camera✓Standard
Electronic Stability Control✓Standard
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification?Unknown
Dynamic Brake Support✓Standard
Keyless Ignition?Unknown
Recalls
Deferred Failure RiskComponents and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
70/100
Critical Deferred Risk
Critical deferred failure risk — 3 safety-critical or high-cost components are past their service interval. Without immediate attention, repair costs will compound significantly.
⚠No odometer data on record. Mileage is estimated at ~108,000 mi based on average annual driving. Items marked EST. OVERDUE may already be due — verify service history with the seller. Items marked OVERDUE are confirmed past-due based on vehicle age alone.
DUE SOONCriticalTiming Chain Tensioner
Service interval: 120,000 mi · Est. ~108,000 mi (no odometer on record)
Schedule Timing Chain Tensioner service before 120,000 mi
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
EST. OVERDUECriticalWater Pump
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 9 yr · Past due by age
Service Water Pump immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
EST. OVERDUEHighTransmission Fluid / Service
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 9 yr · Past due by age
Service Transmission Fluid / Service immediately — already past the 60,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
EST. OVERDUEHighCoolant Flush
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 9 yr · Past due by age
Service Coolant Flush immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
EST. OVERDUEModerateSpark Plugs (iridium/platinum)
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 9 yr · Past due by age
Service Spark Plugs (iridium/platinum) immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
DUE SOONModerateFuel Injectors
Service interval: 120,000 mi · Est. ~108,000 mi (no odometer on record)
Schedule Fuel Injectors service before 120,000 mi
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
0CLEAR
✓
No Recall Campaigns Found
NHTSA has no active or historical recalls for this 2017 SUBARU.
Complaints
Complaint Intelligence7 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
By System / Component
Other
1 crash3
Safety Systems
2
Electrical
1
Engine/Powertrain
1
Complaint Trend by Year
2018
1
2020
2
2021
1
2023
1
2024
2
↓ 11% trend in recent years (improving reliability)
Complaint Trend
Accelerating +100%2
Last 24 months
1
Prior 24 months
⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse
Reported Failure Modes
Fire/smoke2
Engine stalling1
Conditions Reported
Highway/high-speed (3)Parking/low-speed (1)
Owner Complaints7 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
7HIGH VOLUME
1
Fire
1
Crash
Complaint & Reliability TimelineAnnual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints and reliability score for SUBARU BRZ — recall years marked in red
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Chart Analysis
The blue line shows 7 NHTSA complaints on file for the SUBARU BRZ — a relatively low volume that spans from 2018 to 2024.
The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 96/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2021, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Details & Analysis
Legal & Regulatory ActionsKnown class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
Financial
5-Year Ownership Cost EstimateBased on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs
$0
Annual Fuel
EPA estimate
$1,800
Annual Insurance
US average
$1,800
Annual Maintenance
9-yr-old vehicle avg
$423
Annual Depreciation
Current period
Estimated 5-Year Total Cost
Fuel + Insurance + Maintenance + Depreciation
$20,115
Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.
5-Year Total Cost of OwnershipEstimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
$38,386
~$640/mo over 5 yrs
$0.4/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$15,500
Repair Risk Buffer
$3,000
Depreciation
$2,386
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $38,386 (~$640/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Estimated Market ValueDepreciation-based estimate from original MSRP
$6,000
Low
$7,000
Est. Value
$8,000
High
Based on original MSRP of $25,495 with sports depreciation curve. Range reflects ±15% market variance. Actual value depends on condition, options, and local demand.
Pre-Purchase Inspection ChecklistTailored for the 2017 SUBARU BRZ — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: POWER TRAIN
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.
Recall Probability ForecastEstimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
20%
18-month
36%
2-year
Moderate Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 36%
20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.
- ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
Maintenance ScheduleOEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
History & Auctions
Insurance Cost EstimateEstimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Full Coverage
$1,650–$2,090/yr
~$138–$174/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
▼ 9-year-old vehicle: −7% (moderate depreciation)
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
State-Specific Legal ProtectionsWhat consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data TableAll decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | JF1ZCAC14H8600788 |
| Model Year | 2017 |
| Make | SUBARU |
| Model | BRZ |
| Trim | High |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Doors | 2 |
| Seat Rows | 4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Automatic |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Horsepower | 200 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | SUBARU CORPORATION |
| Assembly City | OTA |
| Assembly Country | JAPAN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | JF1 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 4 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | H |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | 8 |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 600788 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 7 |
VIN Structure DecodeISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
J
1
F
2
1
3
Z
4
C
5
A
6
C
7
1
8
4
9
H
10
8
11
6
12
0
13
0
14
7
15
8
16
8
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
J
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
F
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
1
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
ZCAC1
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
4
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
H
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
8
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
600788
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Japan
From VIN position 1 (J)
Model Year Character
"H" → 2017
Could also be 1987
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 5/24/2026, 10:40:59 PM.