Verdict
2018 Subaru BRZ: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2018 Subaru BRZ — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most coupe.
Owners filed 1 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 78% of 2018 coupes. Engine And Engine Cooling leads the reports (100%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 coupes, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
1
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
25.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 78% of 2018 coupes
The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 coupes by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine And Engine Cooling issues account for the largest share of owner complaints (100% of 1 reports).
Share of all 1 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11636055.
Recalls(2)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Visibility · 18V935000Details +Close −
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
Fuel System · 21V587000Details +Close −
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2018 Subaru BRZ 2 DR RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRZ | 2.0L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 | 33 | 27 |
| BRZ | 2.0L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 21 | 29 | 24 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2018 Subaru BRZ: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Subaru BRZ?
Owners filed 1 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Subaru BRZ — fewer complaints than 78% of comparable 2018 coupes, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Subaru BRZ?
The most-reported problem area is Engine And Engine Cooling (100% of complaints).
How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru BRZ have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Subaru BRZ, covering components such as visibility. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru BRZ get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Subaru BRZ between 24 and 27 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.