AI Damage2022 Subaru BRZ: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Subaru BRZ filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and exterior lighting. The maker issued 206 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 206
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 60% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 30% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 10% of all complaints
- Engine: 6 complaints (60% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Exterior lighting: 3 complaints (30% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Wheels: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 28 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 143 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 65 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Stock blinkers rapidly flash faster than normal, blinkers cannot be seen in the rear at the time when signaling left or right during this time
Shortly after the purchase, the wheel bolts loosened which caused catastrophic damage to the wheel, and all brake components. Upon further research, we believe this may be an inherent vehicle defect.
Even though they Silas’s my car was lack of oil, but there’s no light on the dashboard lights up and told me I need to add more oil. The process of repairing took 5 months. After I read other owners post on social media, I believe I have the similar situation.
However, it would need to be a sunny day on the time of appointment plus the duty hours for the technicians are outside the window of the sun elevation when this problem occurs.
When the sun is facing the rear of the car, the rear turn signals do not activate, and the turn signals flash rapidly. It is exactly what happens in this youtube video: [link] This is a danger, because my car will not properly signal when I change lanes or take a turn. Subaru will not look at the vehicle.
Found traces of silicone in my engine. Checked the dipstick out of curiosity and found silicone or RTV sealant. The car only has 500 miles on it. Will do oil change after break in period of Subaru’s recommended 1000 miles and will have them check the oil pan filter for more RTV…
This can clog up the oil pickup filter and cause oil starvation leading to catastrophic engine failure. A few engines have already failed and more people have been finding RTV silicone in their oil filters and dipsticks including me.
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 1,486 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 29% least complained about).
On average one model year of the BRZ has 3 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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 Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when performing…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when performing immobilizer-related repairs on the vehicles listed. (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 provides a new diagnostic procedure for vehicles equipped with a Denso CP 1, 1.5 and 2.5…
"This bulletin provides a new diagnostic procedure for vehicles equipped with a Denso CP 1, 1.5 and 2.5 head units to provide an enhanced version of the troubleshooting steps for Sound does not come out from the…
NHTSA lists 206 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 2022 Subaru BRZ?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, exterior lighting, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (10%), warning lights, check engine (10%), windows, sunroof (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Subaru BRZ?
NHTSA lists 206 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 2022 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 2022 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.