SubaruBRZ2015Overview/subaru/brz/2015/base/

2015 Subaru BRZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 BRZ.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Subaru BRZ enters the reference record as a two-door passenger car built around a 5.7-quart, 0W-20 oil specification and offered here with a six-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy is rated at 24 city, 33 highway, and 28 combined mpg, the kind of efficiency envelope that has long anchored the model's positioning. The reliability record for this model year is notably clean—just three owner complaints logged, with engine components representing the most-cited issue area and zero recalls issued—placing 2015 toward the favorable end of a 2013-2024 complaint arc that peaked at 63 reports in the launch year of 2013 and reached its quietest point with a single complaint in 2018. For the researcher, 2015 reads as a mature, well-resolved entry in the BRZ's reliability history rather than an outlier or trouble spot.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/33/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTRLYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length166.9 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height50.8 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2765 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 33 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the BRZ of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2015 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Limited 2.0L F-46.30 sec14.90 sec200 hpRWD
2016Series.HyperBlue 2.0L F-46.80 sec15.30 sec200 hpRWD
2013Limited 2.0L F-46.30 sec14.90 sec200 hpRWD
2013Limited 2.0L F-46.40 sec14.90 sec200 hpRWD
2013Limited 2.0L F-46.40 sec14.90 sec200 hpRWD
2013Limited 2.0L F-46.40 sec15.00 sec200 hpRWD
2013Premium 2.0L F-46.40 sec15.00 sec200 hpRWD
2013Limited 2.0L F-47.50 sec15.80 sec200 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity7.6-7.9
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt
Fuel Tank Capacity13.2 gallons

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts63.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 140.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub Bearing Housing BoltsInstall new hub nut. ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 162.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)550-750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru ( non turbo)
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .031 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.75-1.00 lbs
Oil Type46
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

RPM51-72 @ idle rpm
Engine Compressionpsi 167 - 254 variance 29 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0039-0.0059 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0079-0.0094 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 19; Rear: 19 Use
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 48 Use; Front: 59 Install; Rear: 48.7 Install
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementRear: .335
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .630
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
184.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9384 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt head washers and threads with clean engine oil

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
274.0 ft. lbs.74 ft. lbs
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
415.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
531.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
6100 degrees100 degrees
7Bolts 1and2100 degrees
8Bolts 3,4,5,650 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen all bolts completely, Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Loosen all bolts completely, Step 5: 13.0 ft. lbs, Step 6: 6026 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 16.089 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 24,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 model sits near the low‑point of the generation’s complaint and recall curve, with only three complaints, zero recalls and 208 Technical Service Bulletins—far fewer than the 63 complaints and two recalls recorded in the 2013 launch year. After the 2014 dip to six complaints, the trend remains flat through 2016 (three complaints each year) before a modest rise in 2017 (seven complaints) and a brief spike in recalls during 20182019. Throughout the period, investigations never appear, and the number of TSBs steadily declines from the 367 issued in 2013 to just 119 by 2024, indicating gradual issue resolution. For 2015, the top complaint areas are limited to Engine (2 reports) and Seat Belts (1 report), with no crash‑ or fire‑related complaints. **Takeaway:** 2015 is one of the cleanest years in the BRZ’s first‑generation record, making it a comparatively low‑risk year to purchase used.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
208
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Engine2
Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 208 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
15-337-262026-04-30Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the design change made to the front speaker assembly which have…
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific BRZ. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 BRZ take?

5.7 qt of 0W-20 API certified SM or SN, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 BRZ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the BRZ get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.