Toyota 86 / GR86, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S common problems: a buyer's checklist for both generations

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Printed from https://chassisdex.com/toyota-86-subaru-brz/buyers-checklist/ · facts as of 2026-10-30 · fitment is not guaranteed; verify before you buy.

What are the common problems on a Toyota 86, GR86 or Subaru BRZ?

Short answer: It depends on the generation. On a 2013-2020 car (FA20), run the VIN for the 2013 valve-spring and 2018-19 fuel-pump recalls, and look for oil seepage at the back of the left cylinder head; a chirp from the DI pump is harmless. On a 2022+ GR86 or BRZ (FA24), the big question is excess factory sealant in the oil pickup on early cars, plus oil pressure drops on track in long right-handers. Most other entries are recalls or software updates.

Guide · 32 sources · Facts as of 2026-10-30

The checklist at a glance

Facts as of 2026-10-30. Each row summarizes a known-problem entry linked further down this page, where its confidence tier is shown. First generation means the 2013-2020 Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S (ZN6/ZC6, 2.0 FA20); second generation means the 2022+ Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ (ZN8/ZD8, 2.4 FA24). US model years.

AreaLook or listen forWhich cars
Open recallsValve springs; low-pressure fuel pump; key interlock on automatics; rear camera display; rear turn signals1st gen: 2013 springs, 2018-19 pump, 2013-17 FR-S/86 automatics, 2018 BRZ camera. 2nd gen: 2022 turn signals
Oil seepageBurnt-oil smell after a drive; oil at the back of the left cylinder head, cam carriers, timing cover or pan joint1st gen (FA20), 2013-2020
Engine noisesA high-pitched chirp (harmless DI pump) versus the normal injector tick; on early cars, rough idle with code P00191st gen; rough idle on early 2013 builds
Oil pickup sealantAsk whether the pan was dropped or the filter cut open; sealant bits on the pickup screen2nd gen, mostly early 2022-2023 cars
Track oil pressureLogged oil pressure falling in long, fast right-handers above about 6,000 rpm2nd gen on track
Software updatesCheck-engine codes for cam timing, evap leak-check pump or U0100; P0613 on automatics2nd gen BRZ bulletins (2022-24; P0613 on 2022 automatics)
ClutchCreaking pedal (1st gen); squeak or notchy shifting from a dry throwout bearing (2nd gen, one shop's report)1st gen 2013-16; 2nd gen manuals
Brakes and knucklesBig brake kits made for the first generation do not bolt to most 2022+ BRZs (aluminum knuckles)2nd gen BRZ, not GR86

1. Recalls: run the VIN first

First generation: on 2013 BRZs and FR-Ss built before a 2013 spec change, valve springs can break, causing abnormal noise or a stall; the free fix replaces the springs and is a long dealer job of about 12-14 hours (18V-772). On 2018-19 cars, the in-tank fuel pump impeller can swell and jam the pump so the engine stalls or will not start (21V-587). Some 2013-16 FR-S and 2017 Toyota 86 automatics with a turn key can release the key when not in Park (16V-075, 16V-920); we found no matching BRZ recall. A 2018 BRZ software recall fixes a rear camera that may not display (18V-935), and early 2013 owner's manuals described the passenger airbag sensing incorrectly (12V-254, 12V-255).

Second generation: some 2022 BRZs and GR86s have rear turn signals that may work intermittently or not at all; dealers replace both rear lamps (23V-609). Some 2023-24 GR86s fitted with accessories by Gulf States Toyota have a wrong load-capacity label (24V-548). Coverage is by VIN and build date, not just model year, and an open recall is free at a dealer.

2. First generation (2013-2020): oil seepage, the chirp and early idle problems

Subaru's oil-seepage bulletin for the 2013-20 BRZ lists the areas to check, including the block-off plate at the back of the left cylinder head (the cam plate, on manual cars), the cam carriers, the timing chain cover and the oil pan joint. A burnt-oil smell after driving usually means oil reaching the exhaust. Dealers reseal the joint to the bulletin; out of warranty, owners reseal the stock plate or fit a billet plate that seals with an O-ring.

A high-pitched chirp or cricket sound comes from the direct-injection high-pressure fuel pump, which Subaru calls harmless; a revised pump is covered by a bulletin, while the steady injector tick is normal and needs no fix. Early 2012-built cars could idle roughly or stall with code P0019 because of engine-computer software; an ECU update fixed it, and it was not a recall. Subaru also has a bulletin for a creaking clutch pedal on 2013-16 BRZs. These bulletins are written for the BRZ; we did not find Toyota equivalents for the FR-S and 86.

Not a fault but often asked about: the flat spot in pull around 4,000 rpm (the torque dip) is a trait of the stock FA20 intake, exhaust and tune. A header with a matching tune mostly fills it; the gain figures come from a parts seller.

3. Second generation (2022+): RTV in the oil pickup and track oil pressure

Owners in North America and Japan found pieces of excess factory RTV sealant on the oil pickup screen of early FA24 engines, which can restrict oil flow; one reported engine failed under 14,000 miles. No recall or bulletin covers it. Checks are cutting open the oil filter and looking through the drain hole with a borescope; cleaning the screen means dropping the oil pan. Some shops do one pan drop at about 5,000-10,000 miles. Toyota said it reviews warranty claims case by case and that HPDE use alone does not void the warranty.

Separately, on track, logged oil pressure can fall from about 50-60 psi into the 20s in long, fast right-hand corners, mostly above 6,000 rpm, as oil collects in the heads. There is no factory fix; owners log oil pressure, overfill slightly, short-shift in fast right-handers and add an accumulator, and baffles showed little measurable gain in the reported data. Our FA24 oiling guide covers both issues in more detail.

4. Second generation: software updates, clutch and brakes

Subaru bulletin 09-128-24 (revised in November 2024) reprograms the ECM on 2022-24 BRZs for check-engine codes covering cam timing, the evaporative leak-check pump and ECM communication. Bulletin 16-138-22 updates the TCM on 2022 automatics showing P0613. A third bulletin raised the fuel delivery pipe bolt torque. All are written for the BRZ; GR86 owners should ask a Toyota dealer for the equivalent.

One repair shop reports a clutch pedal squeak or notchy shifting on manual cars from too little grease on the throwout bearing and fork; we found no factory bulletin, so treat it as a single report and have it diagnosed. If you plan brake upgrades: most 2022+ BRZs have aluminum front knuckles while the GR86 keeps cast-iron ones like the first generation, so many first-generation big brake kits and the older BRZ Performance Package Brembos bolt to a GR86 but not a BRZ. Buy a kit listed for your exact car.

Related known problems

FAQ

Which Toyota 86 and BRZ years had the valve spring recall?

2013 Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S cars built before a 2013 spring specification change (recall 18V-772). Dealers replace the valve springs free; check the VIN with NHTSA.

Does the 2022+ GR86 have an engine problem?

Two oiling issues are reported on the FA24: excess factory sealant clogging the oil pickup on some early cars, and oil pressure drops on track in long right-handers. Neither has a recall or factory fix as of 2026-10-30.

Is the chirping noise on a BRZ or FR-S engine a problem?

Subaru traced a high-pitched chirp to the direct-injection fuel pump and calls it harmless; a dealer bulletin covers a revised pump. The steady ticking of the injectors is normal.

Do first-generation brake kits fit a 2022+ BRZ?

Usually not. Most 2022+ BRZs have aluminum front knuckles with different brake mounts; the GR86 keeps cast-iron knuckles, so many first-generation kits fit it. Buy a kit listed for your car.

Keep exploring

Sources

Summaries are in our own words. Fitment is not guaranteed; wheels, hubs and suspension are safety-critical. Disclaimer.

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