Subaru BRZ engine failure problems

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Engine · CA

Engine failure (rod knock) during commute home. Engine was found with lack of oil (3.5 qrt low) on ~15,000 miles engine block although performed routine maintenance DIY oil changes. Presumably high oil consumption on daily driving conditions

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Engine · FL

Oil went dangerously low during normal 6000 mile period ( no reading on dipstick, no warning light). Subaru has replaced the engine twice under warranty due to oil consumption, 1 pint in 1200 miles. Issue started around 20k miles, engine replaced at 30k and 39k miles.

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 Jun 22, 2025 · Engine · FL

Engine started knocking, within 4 miles engine seized up will not run, only 78,000 miles on the car, original owners, maintained meticulously

Filed Aug 5, 2022 · Engine · AZ

The new 2022 Subaru BRZ's and Toyota GR86's have been found to have an excessive amount of RTV silicone on the engine oil pan. This can clog up the oil pickup filter and cause oil starvation leading to catastrophic engine failure. A few engines have already failed and more people have been finding RTV silicone in their oil filters and dipsticks including me.

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.