2013 Subaru BRZ: engine failure

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · PA

Hello, My name is [XXX] and I have a Subaru BRZ 2013 which harbors a valve spring recall (the federal safety agency Campaign ID 18V‑772, Subaru Recall WTY-84). In seeking help to repair this, I had a customer experience that can be viewed as neglectful, deceitful and malicious in nature. Dealership Recall Refusals I called into two different dealerships to get this recall taken care of under the policies and procedures set forth by the federal safety agency and at Subaru’s direction (notice). One dealership, Lancaster County Motors Subaru of Lancaster, immediately declined the recall and Subaru Advocacy suggested I take it elsewhere, violating several safety mandates and franchise agreements set forth by Subaru. Steve Moyer Subaru Subsequently, I called Steve Moyer Subaru dealership in Leesport and was told that they could facilitate the fixing of my recall which was (initially) a sigh of relief based on my previous experiences. They scheduled me for the recall and instructed me to bring my car in on XXX asked to take it in as soon as possible due to the nature of this recall (XXX) and the agreed. They gave me a loaner vehicle and took it in to perform the recall. I signed for the loaner and gave them all applicable information. Escalation Shortly after submission of the vehicle (per Tanner Mohn), I was told that instead of working on the recall, they would like to ask for a new engine on behalf of Subaru (this is given the complex nature of the recall and resulting damage). Please note that I did not suggest this however, Tanner Mohn was vehement on moving forward in this manner. The following week, I got a call from Subaru Advocacy (entity) who apologized for the issues and hold up. Additionally, they stated that they would contact Steve Moyer Motor Subaru to see what the following steps were. Next, I received a text stating that they “examined” my vehicle and an advisor would be contacting me. I then received a call from Tanner Mohn stating Subaru declined a new engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

Filed Nov 18, 2020 · Engine · 105,233 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru brz. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v772000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to subaru of el cajon (900 arnele ave, el cajon, ca 92020) to have the recall repair performed. Approximately 3,000 miles after the vehicle was repaired under the recall, the contact's son was driving at 40 MPH and heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from engine prior to the vehicle stalling without warning. The vehicle was restarted however, the vehicle stalled again without warning. Due to failure, the contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the engine failed and needed to be repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,233.

Filed Nov 12, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 99,000 miles · CA

Engine failure following the valve spring factory recall. The incident occurred while cruising on a highway. Vehicle suddenly lost all power. Electronics still functional.

Filed Oct 9, 2020 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MD

This is a complaint about the work performed on my vehicle for the wty-84 recall. I brought my vehicle into the dealership (annapolis subaru). After multiple issues with the workmanship my car's engine is blown. Annapolis subaru has stated that they have worked on my vehicle long enough and will not fix the blown engine. The work that was performed was done due to negilence while performing the recall, requiring thousands of dollars of repair, before the recall was resolved. This included replacing my head due to a valve rocker becoming dislodged in the engine during a test drive, body work that needed to be fixed, replacement of a cam sprocket, and replacement of my ecu. Now that my engine is blown, a common issue due to this recall, annapolis subaru is stating that the engine failure is not their fault. The recall service was performed at 140,000 miles. The engine failure occured 1000 miles after the recall service was performed while I was driving the vehicle. I had previously contacted the dealership due to loud tapping noises coming from the engine compartment and was directed that the noises were not due to engine damage, but due to the high pressure fuel pump.

Filed Jul 22, 2020 · Engine · 46,000 miles · NY

My 2013 subaru brz was recalled and "repaired" for faulty valve springs at maguire subaru in ithaca, ny in spring 2019 at 45,000 miles. 700 miles later on june 6, 2020, I experienced a catastrophic engine failure while I was driving in motion! Maguire has had my car for 8 weeks now. After a short block replacement, they decided to replace whole engine which is now also experiencing more valve problems. When will this be resolved???? Recall the recall??

Filed Jul 19, 2020 · Engine · 72,000 miles · CA

I took my 2013 subaru brz to the subaru dealership for the wty84 fa20 valve spring recall on december 24, 2019. The dealership kept my car for three months and I picked up my car on march 31, 2020 after the repairs were completed. Two and a half months later, and only 1,600 miles since the repairs, on june 19, 2020 my car started losing power while I was driving on the freeway and stalled. I pulled to the side of the road and was not able to restart the car. Stranded, I had no choice but to call a tow truck to tow my car to the dealership. The tow truck driver checked the battery, which was in good health, and tried to jump-start the engine but the engine would not turn over. He checked the oil level and immediately saw metal shavings in the oil adhering to the dipstick. He later tried to start the car again and this time the car started but the engine was making a loud horrible knocking noise. At the dealership, I was told that the engine had a rod knock, and possible broken rod bearing with signs of engine failure and that I would have to pay $1,450 for a tear down to determine the problem, and additional for any repairs. There have never been any metal shavings in the oil prior to the dealership repairs being done and I have never had these problems before. Regular oil changes have been completed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles by a licensed mechanic using only mobil 1 full synthetic motor oil and oil quality and levels have been excellent between changes. The car has 72,000 miles and has worked wonderfully up until now.

Filed Jul 6, 2020 · Engine · 36,000 miles · CA

There is an open recall for my vehicle's engine due to the valve springs, which can result in engine failure. I previously replaced the engine completely twice due to engine failure, and I provided the receipts where the original parts were replaced, and done so with higher quality components after the second failure. However, both the dealership and the manufacturer stopped responding to my communication requests via phone and email and despite following up in person as well, and were silent when I stated that they were denying me a path to register my vehicle despite the part having been replaced and the original motor no longer being in the vehicle, which they required in order to complete the service. The first time the motor failed, I was at a dead stop and started to make a left hand turn when the motor stalled out. The second time, the motor just started making a loud noise and vibrating strongly. Both times I brought it to a mechanic to fix the motor, the second time I had it rebuild with stronger components and I have not had a problem since. There have been many reports from owners that have had their recalls completed by dealership service centers, the only ones authorized to make the repairs, and that subsequently had their motors fail despite there being nothing wrong to begin with. I do not want my vehicle that had been repaired with stronger components to have recall work done that can yourself the same terrible results, replacing stronger components with inferior components, especially when I paid out of pocket to do so and do not have any issues. I'm currently unable to register the vehicle due to this impasse and block on my current registration due to the incomplete recall, suffering over a year worth of loss of use.

Filed Jun 21, 2020 · Engine · 35,915 miles · IL

Engine failure while driving. Engine had recall work preformed at 33,266 miles and failure happened at 35,915

Filed Feb 14, 2020 · Engine · 64,838 miles · DE

Had factory valve spring recall completed by subaru. The engine seized while driving after the valve springs were replaced. The subaru dealership says the car needs at a minimum an engine short block, heads and valve work.

Filed Nov 21, 2019 · Engine · 91,000 miles · OR

On july 17 2019 we bought the 2013 subaru brz from a bmw dealership. At the time of sale we were advised that the vehicle had an open recall, therefore we had asked that the recall be serviced prior to taking possession of the vehicle. The service was completed at another dealership on july 26, 2019. Less than 4 months later on november 17, 2019, shortly after driving on the freeway the check engine light illuminated and there was a clicking type noise coming from the engine, the vehicle seized and would no longer move. The vehicle was towed to a subaru dealership who advised the code was reading 'internal engine failure'. When confronted with the complaints about the recall, it was dismissed saying that the recall had to do with the top part of the engine and this appears to be coming from the bottom. They are currently working to take apart the engine to determine the cause to have it covered under the limited powertrain warranty. Based on all complaints it appears this issue is directly related to the service provided on the recall.

Filed Nov 7, 2019 · Engine · 68,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru brz. While the contact's son was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The driver heard an abnormal noise and then the vehicle seized. The vehicle was towed to the driver's residence. Ocean subaru of fullerton (located at 1100 s euclid st, fullerton, ca 92832, (888) 428-2419) was called and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that an independent mechanic came to the driver's residence to replace the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v772000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Engine · 92,500 miles · TX

In april 2019, I brought my 2013 subaru brz to the subaru dealership for valve spring recall. About 5 months later while I'm driving home from work, my car making loud knocking noise and vibrate aggressively. I'm very fortunate that I make it home safe. After doing some research, I found out I'm not the only one had engine failure after valve spring recall done. I tow my car to the dealership and they said it will cost $1800 to tear my engine apart and check for problem. I called subaru corporate and they said this is workmanship issue and I need to deal with the dealership. Now I'm stuck with a dead car. My car was perfectly function before the recall done. Please investigate this issue.