Enter a Subaru BRZ VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.
VIN prefixJF1
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Subaru BRZ
About the Subaru BRZ
Subaru has sold the BRZ in the US since the 2013 model year, and there have been two generations. The ZC6 came first (2013–2020), and the ZD8 took over for 2022–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns and 101 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the ZC6. Its 2013 and 2017 model years alone account for 71 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the fuel system after that. EPA rates the ZC6 at 23–28 mpg combined, while the ZD8 gets 22–25 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years2013–2026
GenerationsZC6 · ZD8
NHTSA recall campaigns5
Owner complaints101 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Subaru BRZ generations
Two generations since the 2013 model year. The ZC6 (2013–2020) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (4).
2 / 2
2022
ZD8
2022–20262nd generation
201320202025
2013–2020· Generation 1 of 2
ZC6 · 1st generation
EPA classMinicompact Cars
EPA combined mpg23–28
NHTSA recalls4
Engines (EPA)
2.0 L 4-cyl · 2013–2020
Drive & transmission (EPA)
RWD
automatic (2013–2020), manual (2013–2020)
Known issues to check
Engine and cooling (59)Fuel system (8)Electrical system (5)
Mentions in 87 NHTSA complaints.
Sample VIN pattern · ZC6JF1ZCAC1?D1······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2013 Subaru BRZ HIGH, built in Ota, Gunma
NHTSA has 5 campaigns on file for BRZ model years 2013–2026, and the 2013 and 2018 show up in the most (2 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2022
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Subaru BRZ owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Between them, the 2013 and 2022 hold 74 of the 101 complaints, or 73%. Tap any bar or generation.
101NHTSA complaints, 2013–2026
2mention a crash
3mention a fire
0injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearZD8: 14 complaints · most for the 2022 (10)
2013·2015····20202022··2025·
Top complaint areas · ZD8
Mentions in 14 complaints, 2022–2026.
Engine and cooling9
Exterior lighting3
Fuel system2
Brakes1
Wheels1
Crashes 0Fires 0Injuries 0
2022–2026 (ZD8)
NHTSA data summary
The 2022 stands out. On its own it has 10 of the ZD8’s 14 complaints (71%), and owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (9 mentions), then exterior lighting (3).
Top complaint areas · ZC6
Mentions in 87 complaints, 2013–2020.
Engine and cooling59
Fuel system8
Electrical system5
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)5
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)4
Brakes3
Crashes 2Fires 3Injuries 0
2013–2020 (ZC6)
NHTSA data summary
Engine and cooling owns this generation. Its 59 mentions are more than twice the next area, fuel system (8). Complaints peak with the 2013, its first model year, at 64 of 87. Of all BRZ complaints, 86% are for the ZC6.
What BRZ owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2013–2020 (1st generation, ZC6)
Complaint counts are low after the first year, so the data is thin. The 2013 draws almost all of the NHTSA complaints, and most describe engine problems, including stalling, knocking and engine failure, many tied to the valve spring recall. CarComplaints lists a noisy transmission, engine failure due to broken valve springs and clutch failure for 2013. A recall covers engine valve springs on 2013 models that may fracture and cause the engine to run poorly or stall. There was no 2021 model in the US, and the next BRZ arrived for 2022. [1][2]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm the valve spring recall on 2013 models was completed.
Ask for clutch and transmission repair records.
On the drive, listen for knocking or ticking from the engine and whining from the transmission, check that the clutch engages smoothly and watch for stalling or a check engine light.
EPA lists 28 BRZ versions for model years 2013–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 321 g/mi (2016). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
ZC62013–2020
23–28 mpg · CO₂ 321–384 g/mi
ZD82022–2026
22–25 mpg · CO₂ 361–399 g/mi
2025
25combined MPG
362CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,300EPA yearly fuel cost
2/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV125 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 125Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: BRZ · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L — 25 MPG · 362 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
BRZ vs Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Toyota GR86
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2022–2026. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the BRZ, while the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GR86 have 2 each. Pick a range to compare.
Subaru BRZZD8
Model years 2022–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
1
NHTSA owner complaints
14
EPA combined mpg
22–25
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.4 L
Drive (EPA)
RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 9
Exterior lighting 3
Fuel system 2
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Model years 2022–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
2
NHTSA owner complaints
21
EPA combined mpg
29–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L
Drive (EPA)
RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 10
Electrical system 3
Seat belts 2
Toyota GR86
Model years 2022–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
2
NHTSA owner complaints
46
EPA combined mpg
22–25
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.4 L
Drive (EPA)
RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 25
Fuel system 8
Exterior lighting 6
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Subaru BRZ VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a BRZ
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
The BRZ sports coupe places its VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a firewall stamp in the engine compartment are secondary locations. The door sill label is also present. Check that the firewall stamp matches the dashboard plate. The ZD8 generation starts with the 2022 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (N for 2022) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Subaru BRZ VIN questions
Which Subaru BRZ model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2013 leads with 64, ahead of the 2022 (10) and 2017 (7). Those first two alone make up 73% of the 101 BRZ complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Subaru BRZ had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 5 vehicle campaigns for model years 2013–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, ZC6 leads with 4. Then come the ZD8 (1), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which BRZ generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the ZC6 is 2013–2020 and the ZD8 2022–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (N is 2022).
What fuel economy does the Subaru BRZ get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2022–2026 ZD8 at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 23–28 mpg for the 2013–2020 ZC6 (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Subaru BRZ compare with the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GR86 on recalls?
For 2022–2026 models the BRZ has 1 NHTSA recall campaign. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has 2, the Toyota GR86 2. Complaints run 14, 21 and 46 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
