Recalls: Subaru Z1 BRZ
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Subaru Z1 BRZ
2012-15 Subaru BRZ: electric power steering may be lost
In August 2016, a recall was issued for 2013 to 2015 ‘model year’ Subaru BRZ vehicles because a poor electrical connection may cause the vehicle to lower power steering assistance. While the vehicle could still be driven without power steering assistance, the increased steering effort required – particularly at low speeds – could increase the risk of a collision (PRA 2016/15585). The recalled Subaru BRZ vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JF1 ZC6K72 G002011 to JF1 ZC6K72 G008098; and,
- JF1 ZC6K81 G002007 to JF1 ZC6K81 G008099.
It is understood that these vehicles were manufactured from April 2012 to March 2015.
2012-13 Subaru BRZ: defective engine valve springs
In November 2018, recall campaign SI0491 was issued for Subaru BRZ vehicles that were manufactured prior to 14 May 2013. In the 2.0-litre engines of these vehicles, defective valve spring could fracture – this could cause the engine to stall and not restart. If the engine were to stall and not restart, the vehicle would pose a safety hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, the engine valve springs were to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17142.
Problems and faults: Subaru Z1 BRZ
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2012 Subaru BRZ: AVCS Response and AVCS System Failure
In August 2012, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 02-132-12 for Subaru BRZ vehicles. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs):
- P000A, P00B, P00C and P00D (‘AVCS Slow Response’); and,
- P0011, P0014, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021 and P0024 (‘AVCS System Failure’).
Depending on the diagnosis, rectification of these symptoms could involve:
- Replacing the oil control valve (OCV);
- Replacing the cam sprocket assembly – it is understood that its oil passages could become clogged with debris; or,
- Replacing the Engine Control Module (ECM).
2012 Subaru BRZ vehicles: malfunction indicator light and DTCs P0017 or P0019
In November 2012, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 02-137-12 for 2012 Subaru BRZ vehicles produced before 12 September 2012. For these vehicles, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may illuminate and the engine control module (ECM) may log diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0017 and P0019. Depending on the cam angle limits obtained from the Subaru Select Monitor (SSM III) diagnostic tool, the ECM was to be reprogrammed or replaced.
The information in this service bulletin corresponded to Technical Service Bulletin S-SB-0032-12 Rev 1 which was issued for the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S.
2012 Subaru BRZ: DTC P1235 (High-Pressure Fuel Pump Abnormal)
In November 2012, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 02-138-12 for Subaru BRZ vehicles that were manufactured prior to 12 September 2012. For these vehicles, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1235 (‘High-Pressure Fuel Pump Abnormal’) may be logged in the engine control module (ECM). To fix, the powertrain control module was to be re-programmed.
2012-13 Subaru BRZ: hard start, rough idle, camshaft sensor or misfire DTCs
In June 2013, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 11-130-13R for 2012-13 Subaru BRZ vehicles which had the 2.0-litre FA20 engine. For these vehicles, the driver may notice illumination of the ‘check engine’ light, a rough or uneven idle, extended cranking times or an inability to start the vehicle. Furthermore, the powertrain control module (PCM) may log diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to the position of the intake or exhaust camshafts and/or engine misfires – these included P0340, P0341, P0345, P0346, P0365, P0366, P0390, P0391, P0301, P0302, P0303 and P0304.
According to the bulletin, these diagnostic trouble codes may be attributable to camshaft position sensor (CPS) clearance being out of specification. To fix, Subaru issued two camshaft position sensor shim kits and a camshaft position sensor O-ring that were to be used to correct camshaft position sensor clearance.
The information in this service bulletin corresponded to Technical Service Bulletin S-SB-0033-14 which was issued for the 2012-13 Toyota 86/Scion FR-S.
2012-13 Subaru BRZ: intermittent RPM drop when idling
In March 2013, Subaru issued Technical Service Bulletin 11-136-14 for Subaru BRZ vehicles that were manufactured prior to 27 September 2013; this corresponded to the following VINs –
- For automatic models, E*601924; and,
- For manual models, E*601915.
In these vehicles, the driver may experience:
- A decrease in engine idle speed when the air conditioning system cycles off; and,
- Extended engine cranking.
To fix, the engine control module was to be re-programmed.
2012-13 Subaru BRZ: tapping noise from left cylinder head
In September 2014, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 02-151-14R for 2012-13 Subaru BRZ vehicles. The service bulletin announced the availability of revised valve train components that were developed to reduce a tapping noise – sometimes described as a ‘sewing machine’ type noise – that may be emitted from the left-hand side of the engine when the engine was warm. The changes included:
- A design change to the roller portion of the valve rockers;
- Re-profiled intake and exhaust camshafts;
- 1.65 mm longer intake valve stems (increased from 103.3 mm to 104.96 mm); and,
- 2.47 mm longer exhaust valve stems (increased from 95.1 mm to 97.57 mm).
To rectify the tapping from the left cylinder head, the following parts had to be replaced:
- The intake and exhaust camshafts;
- The four intake and exhaust valves; and,
- All eight rockers and pivots.
2012-13 Subaru BRZ: abnormal chirp or squeak from high pressure fuel pump
In April 2014, Subaru issued Technical Service Bulletin 09-54-12R for Subaru BRZ vehicles manufactured prior to mid-September 2013 (i.e. before VIN E*601536). In these vehicles, the high-pressure fuel pump may emit a high-pitched “chirp”, “squeak” or “cricket” sound when the engine was idling – the bulletin attributed this to internal components of the pump in combination with fuel temperatures or fuel formulations causing aeration of the fuel within the body of the pump. According to the bulletin, however, this was not detrimental to the fuel system of the engine.
From mid-September 2013, the following production changes were made to reduce the occurrence of the sound, including:
- A change to the internal fuel passage;
- A change to the shape of the plunger stopper; and,
- A change to the pulsation dampener assembly.
To fix, the high-pressure fuel pump assembly was to be replaced.
2012 Subaru BRZ: rattle from manual gear shift lever
In July 2013, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 03-71-13 for Subaru BRZ vehicles that were manufactured prior to December 2012 (i.e. VIN D2605967). For these vehicles, Subaru made a revised transmission lever available for vehicles that had six-speed manual transmissions. The revised shifter:
- Was designed to eliminate a rattle sound from the shifter which generally occurred in third gear at engine speeds between 3500 and 6000 rpm (but may, in rear cases, be noticeable under other conditions); and,
- Had a revised reverse pull collar assembly to improve the operation of the reverse selection mechanism.
The part number for the revised shift lever was 35011CA010.
2012-16 Subaru BRZ: creaking sound when using clutch pedal
In January 2017, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 12-215-17 for 2012-16 Subaru BRZ vehicles which had manual transmissions and VINs preceding G*603051. For these vehicles, a more rigid brake/clutch pedal bracket assembly was developed to prevent a creaking noise that could occur when the clutch pedal was operated. Specifically, the revised pedal bracket design incorporated an extended flange length and additional welding. The creaking noise of the original assembly, however, did not indicate an ‘operational issue with pedal assembly, clutch hydraulic system, clutch assembly or, serve as a precursor to any future concerns.’
2013-14 model year Subaru BRZ: ignition coils, P0351, P0352, P0353 and P0354
In September 2017, Service Bulletin 07-120-17R was issued for 2013-14 model year Subaru BRZ vehicles. According to the bulletin, these vehicles were susceptible to the ignition coils disconnecting such that diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0351, P0352, P0353 and/or P0354 would be logged in the engine control unit (ECU).
To fix, the ignition coil and engine harness were to be replaced with new parts that had the following changes:
- For the ignition coils, the shape of the harness was changed; and,
- For the engine harness ignition coil connectors, A positive lock mechanism was added (to reduce the chance of the ignition coils becoming disconnected).
The new parts were introduced at the start of 2015 model year production.
