AI Damage2017 Subaru BRZ: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Subaru BRZ filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. The maker issued 149 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 149
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 14% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 14% of all complaints
- Air bags: 2 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 79.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (14% of all).
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-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 79 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The stock head unit (Model #: CA645UL) in my vehicle has been having Bluetooth issues. Every since I purchased the vehicle in 2016, from time to time, the audio from my Bluetooth would cut out and then come back on. It was only once in a blue moon ever since I bought the car, so I never paid much attention to it.
-Manual Transmission issues with grinding or failure to go into gear. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. -Merging into highway traffic can be dangerous when I'm more focused on my transmission grinding loudly and having difficulty shifting gears to get up to speed.
This week when I started my car, a yellow caution light appeared on my dash and a “check SRS warning light” appeared next to it. It would turn on and off, so i am unsure of what the problem is.
I was driving on the freeway when the car stalled three times; the check engine light came on, then turned off. White, sweet smelling smoke began coming out of the engine. I pulled over safely. Upon inspection of the car, it was found that the valve spring cover came out of the right side (passenger) engine head.
Check engine light on ,traction control light on, light plates off. Accelerator stuck while driving noise while driving. Car had water damage few days after hurricane katrina. Insurance company (geico) in the repair process declared once total lost then change its mind. I had been off and on the shop since that date.
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 1,591 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 24% least complained about).
On average one model year of the BRZ has 3 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
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 149 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru BRZ?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (71%), smoke, burning smell, fire (29%), rear-view camera (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Subaru BRZ?
NHTSA lists 149 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 2017 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 2017 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.