Subaru BRZ knocking 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 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 Jan 18, 2022 · Engine · WA

Took my 2013 BRZ Limited in for the Valve Spring recall. After work completed I was unable to get my car home before I had severe knocking, CEL, and power failure. Car was at dealership for over a month. After I got it back it's been driven 10k miles and has a rod bearing failure and all the same symptoms - power loss, grinding/knocking, and dash lights lit up.

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 · 102,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru brz. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to coconut creek subaru (4980 n, fl-7, coconut creek, fl 33073; (888) 459-5432) for an unstated recall on the valve spring. The contact stated that recently while the brakes were depressed at a red light, the vehicle shut-off independently. The vehicle was restarted however, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to another dealer, north fort lauderdale subaru (855 s. Federal hwy, pompano beach, fl 33062; (954) 889-5776) and was informed that the engine was knocking and that the oil was low. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that an oil change was not due for several thousand more miles. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

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 Jun 6, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 74,000 miles · CA

Terrible rattling/knocking engine seems to struggle when coming to a stop and will unexpectedly stall/shut off on highway and street use

Filed May 28, 2020 · Engine · 53,000 miles · VA

Valve spring recall (subaru recall wty-84 and the federal safety agency id 18v‑772) was performed aug-sep 2019. On march 16, 2020 while driving, the car was experiencing rod knock and had to be pulled off the road and towed to farrish subaru in fairfax, va. The car's engine was torn down, short block and long block. Found a bearing failure due to oil starvation. It is now may 28, 2020, over 10 weeks since the car was towed to the dealership and I still do not have my car back. I have sr #[xxx] case number with subaru of america who I contacted to get involved. There are numerous complaints on the internet about subaru brz, scion frs, toyota 86s having serious engine problems with a lot having serious engine problems after the recall numbers stated above. This is a very serious and dangerous problem that needs immediate attention. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 17, 2020 · Engine · 60,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru brz. The contact took the vehicle to courtesy subaru of chico (896 east ave, chico, ca 95926) to be repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v772000 (engine and engine cooling). Upon returning the vehicle, the contact became aware of knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and the knocking sound persisted. The contact stated the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the knocking sound was progressively getting worse. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact to have the vehicle taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Engine · 52,000 miles · WA

In march 2019, I had my brz brought to a subaru dealer for a valve spring recall. It took the dealership three times before they got it right, and 5000 miles later, my engine is blown up. I've read on several websites that this has been happening to many other brz and toyota frs owners/cars. I had 47,000 miles on this vehicle with no problems whatsoever before I brought it in for the recall. Now I have a broken/blown or repairable engine on my hands. I was driving home one night on the freeway, when I hear this horrible knocking noise and my car lost power and then shut down. I had to pull over to the side of the road and call aaa for a tow. The dealership is telling me it will cost over $8000 to replace. This is unacceptable! So I am filing a complaint.