SubaruBRZ2016Overview/subaru/brz/2016/base/

2016 Subaru BRZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 BRZ.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Subaru BRZ is a passenger car equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission and achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined, positioning it as a fuel-efficient option in the sport compact segment; this model year recorded just three owner complaints—none of which triggered any recalls—with the primary concern areas centering on suspension, wheels, and service brakes, and when placed within the model's broader complaint history spanning 2013 to 2024, the 2016 BRZ demonstrates a notable improvement over the 63 complaints logged in the launch year of 2013, though it does not yet reach the low point of just one complaint recorded in 2018, suggesting incremental but meaningful reliability gains as the platform matured.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172016

Quick specs

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

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-J 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.

6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2016 Series.HyperBlue
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Series.HyperBlue 2.0L F-46.80 sec15.30 sec200 hpRWD
2015Limited 2.0L F-46.30 sec14.90 sec200 hpRWD
2017Limited 2.0L F-46.20 sec14.80 sec205 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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.46 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity7.6-7.9

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 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 Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts34.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 140.0 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 GroupPAG
Oil Type46
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
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 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) · 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 2016 Subaru BRZ sits in a notably quiet stretch of this first-generation run, with only 3 NHTSA complaints, zero recalls, zero investigations, and 190 TSBs—matching or improving on the already low 2015 figures (3 complaints, 0 recalls, 208 TSBs) and matching 2017’s complaint and TSB counts before recalls returned in 2018 and 2019. Complaint volume dropped sharply after the 2013 launch spike of 63 complaints and 2 recalls, then stayed minimal through the mid-generation years, with a later uptick to 10 complaints and 1 recall in 2022. The 2016 top complaint categories are limited to single reports each for Suspension/Wheels/Service Brakes, Electrical System, and Unknown/Other, and the data records one crash-related complaint but zero fire complaints, though it does not specify root causes. Across the arc, 2016 represents the low-risk midpoint of the generation, with fewer TSBs than any adjacent model year and no federal safety actions. For a used-car buyer, that makes the 2016 BRZ one of the cleaner years in this dataset and a strong candidate from a federal-record standpoint.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
190
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
1 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 3 components.

Suspension,Wheels,Service Brakes1
Electrical System1
Unknown Or Other1

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 190 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
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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

Does the 2016 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.