AI Damage2016 Subaru BRZ: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Subaru BRZ filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. The maker issued 144 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 144
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 33% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 33% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 33% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 70.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Wheels: 1 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Suspension: 1 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 70 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
immediately after, it seemed like the brake booster blew out, as my brakes started making a hissing sound and felt like they were losing pressure. Additionally, I noticed a clunking noise coming from my car. Three or four days later, while driving, my brakes failed and I ended up rear-ending another vehicle.
My brz is experiencing battery drain issues. I have replaced the battery with an oem battery from subaru, but my car still has a drain on the battery. I had to purchase a portable jump starter kit to ensure that if the car didn't start that I had a jump available. I have not brought the car in for service as of now.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,806 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 14% least complained about).
On average one model year of the BRZ has 3 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 3, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
- This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from…
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
- This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for…
- This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program
NHTSA lists 144 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru BRZ?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, wheels. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: battery drain (33%), brake failure (33%), won't start (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Subaru BRZ?
NHTSA lists 144 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Subaru BRZ from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.