Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Subaru BRZ problems

Owners filed 3 complaints about the 2016 Subaru BRZ with NHTSA between Mar 2018 and Apr 2024. The most-cited component is suspension (1).

Complaints
3
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension1
  2. Wheels1
  3. Service brakes1
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20181
20190
20200
20211
20220
20230
20241

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Suspension

1 report1 crash
“On the day before Easter, while driving down W. Colonial Dr., a car suddenly pulled out in front of me, causing me to slam on the brakes. 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. I contacted the dealership from where I purchased the car less than a month ago, but I am still unsure if they will help me fix it. There seems to be a problem with the bearings or the suspension in addition to the brakes, but I am not sure if the dealership will help me fix any of these issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2024Suspension, Wheels, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11581632

Wheels

1 report1 crash

Service brakes

1 report1 crash

Electrical system

1 report
“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. THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE LEFT A LIGHT ON, BUT WHEN I HAD THE CAR JUMP STARTED, I NOTICED THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2021Electrical systemODI 11416718
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.