SubaruBRZ2018Overview/subaru/brz/2018/base/

2018 Subaru BRZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 BRZ.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Subaru BRZ is a passenger car fitted with an Automatic (S6) transmission and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 24/33/27 mpg. Within the model’s 2013–2024 complaint history, the 2018 model year stands out as the quietest on record, with just one owner complaint—reported in the Engine & Engine Cooling category—against a high of 63 complaints for the 2013 model. That low complaint volume, paired with two recalls, places the 2018 BRZ at the most favorable end of the reported reliability spectrum for this generation.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172016

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/33/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

Tail / brake / turnTRLYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0-7.5 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 height52 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 / 27 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.

5.4–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2023 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Limited 2.0L F-46.20 sec14.80 sec205 hpRWD
2016Series.HyperBlue 2.0L F-46.80 sec15.30 sec200 hpRWD
2015Limited 2.0L F-46.30 sec14.90 sec200 hpRWD
2022Limited 2.4L F-45.40 sec13.90 sec228 hpRWD
2022Limited 2.4L F-45.90 sec14.30 sec228 hpRWD
2022Limited 2.4L F-46.00 sec14.30 sec228 hpRWD
2022Premium 2.4L F-46.30 sec14.80 sec228 hpRWD
2022Limited 2.4L F-46.60 sec14.90 sec228 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Engine torques

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

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.028-.031; Turbo: .020-.022 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.75-.97 lbs.
Oil TypeND-OIL8

Service checks

Engine Compression152

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFloating Caliper: 19
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49; Front: 89; Rear: 54
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .630. Fixed; Front: 1.102; Rear: .709
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
216.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
235.0

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 (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
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 Hoses (inspect) · 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 2018 model shows a dramatic drop in complaints from the 2013 high of 63 to just 1, while its recall count of 2 matches the 2013 level and exceeds the zero‑recall years that followed. After 2018, complaints remained low in 2019 (1) and 2020 (2) before a noticeable increase to 10 in 2022, indicating that most of the generation experiences few owner issues. Recall activity is scattered, with two events in 2018, one in 2019, and isolated single recalls in 2022 and 2024, the highest recall totals occurring at the model’s introduction. Thus, the 2018 BRZ occupies the complaint trough and sits within the modest recall band that frames the early‑generation peak. Consequently, the 2018 Subaru BRZ offers the fewest complaints of any year in the record, making it a favorable choice for a used purchase despite the presence of two recalls.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
256
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V587000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 29/07/2021

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… 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…

18V935000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/DevicesReported 31/12/2018

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 256 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 BRZ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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 / 27 combined mpg.