2013 Subaru BRZ

The defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.

The risk

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 165,534 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 BRZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 25, 2011, THROUGH MAY 25, 2012. THE OWNER’S MANUAL CONTAINS AN INACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. OTHER PORTIONS OF THE OWNER’S MANUAL, DESCRIBING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, REQUIRE CLARIFICATION. AS SUCH, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, “OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.”

The risk

MISINFORMATION COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

The remedy

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WILL MAIL CORRECTED OWNER’S MANUALS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · up to 1,886 vehicles across all model years covered

towed · 120,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU BRZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint 11242089. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 68,000 miles

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE …

NHTSA complaint 11278702, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 60,000 miles

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 NHTSA 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 …

NHTSA complaint 11321427, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

58,498 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru BRZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with maintenance failure. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V772000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 58,498.

NHTSA complaint 11584770. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

From the very first day I had these brakes pads installed they performed terribly. At low speeds, under 25mph, they would shriek and slightly shake the vehicle; far worse response at higher speeds. I read somewhere online that the remedy for this problem was to "wed" the pads to the existing rotors. So, I performed that as best as I could in a safe and sound manner which resulted in a continuation of the same sounds and violent pitching during braking. I continued to use them for about 4K miles until one day I approached a red stop light and stood on the brakes to make my vehicle stop and it barely responded in time to not cause an accident. I took my car to a dealership mechanic to review …

NHTSA complaint 11566401, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

We took the car into the dealership due to an engine light being on and the recall was something they informed us about and we decided to take care of it all at the same time. We have never recieved safety recall information from Subaru. My Son owned the car prior to us and purchased from Subaru dealership. After several weeks of the car being at the dealership and a very large bill we picked up the car and drove 14 miles and the engine light went on again. We returned the car to dealership and they had it another week at least and we picked it up again with no further engine light coming back on. The engine light never turned back on even when the car stalled out and heard a banging sound. …

NHTSA complaint 11478397, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

NHTSA complaint 11447920. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 81,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru BRZ. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 18V772000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA complaint 11425002. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.