Subaru BRZ Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Subaru BRZ model year (2013–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Subaru BRZ Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 49 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 55
1 recall · 7 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 10
2 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Problem score: 6
Best Subaru BRZ Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Main area: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 2
Found the right year? Verify that specific BRZ with a free VIN report.
Subaru BRZ — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 7 | — | — | 10 | Good |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 2 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 2 | 49 | — | — | 55 | Avoid |
All 14 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Subaru BRZ Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent BRZ models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2016Mid-decade BRZ units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2016 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year BRZ should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2013 Subaru BRZ if possible. It has 2 recalls, 49 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 55 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year BRZ to buy?+
The 2015 Subaru BRZ is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which BRZ has the fewest problems?+
The 2015, 2016, 2017 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Subaru BRZ Research
Check a Specific Subaru BRZ VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
Run a Free VIN Report →