AI Damage2020 Subaru BRZ: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Subaru BRZ filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 202 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 202
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 50% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 50% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 50% of all complaints
- Engine: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Suspension: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (50% 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-speed
Drive: RWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 133 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 73 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 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.
At 20,000 miles I notice a popping coming from the right front wheel area at low speeds or turning to park. 2 dealerships told me nothing was wrong. At 45, 650 I insisted the dealership fix the problem as it was now on both sides of the front wheel area. Top hats and motor mounts needed replacement.
A small stone put a tiny mark on my windshield, I woke up the next morning and the windshield was spidered in a huge circle.
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 1,862 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 11% least complained about).
On average one model year of the BRZ has 3 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 2, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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 202 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 2020 Subaru BRZ?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, suspension. Total complaints: 2.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Subaru BRZ?
NHTSA lists 202 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 2020 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 2020 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.