SubaruBRZ2020Overview/subaru/brz/2020/base/

2020 Subaru BRZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 BRZ.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2020 Subaru BRZ, equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, figures that position it competitively within its segment. This model year represents a notably reliable iteration of the BRZ platform, with zero recalls recorded and only two total owner complaints filed, with the top complaint areas spanning suspension, powertrain, and engine. When examined against the vehicle's complaint history from 2013 to 2024, the 2020 model demonstrates a clear trajectory of improved dependability, as total complaints have steadily declined from a peak of 63 in the model's inaugural year to a low of just one complaint in 2018, suggesting sustained engineering refinements across generations. For researchers evaluating long-term vehicle reliability, this complaint trend indicates that the 2020 BRZ benefits from mature platform development, translating to fewer reported issues and a more refined ownership experience compared to earlier model years.

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.

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 size215/45R17 87WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7; Equipped with Performance Package: 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
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
2017Limited 2.0L F-46.20 sec14.80 sec205 hpRWD
2023Limited 2.4L F-45.40 sec13.90 sec228 hpRWD
2016Series.HyperBlue 2.0L F-46.80 sec15.30 sec200 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)13.3 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)15.5 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)17.7 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts63.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.75-0.97 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 54.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .630; Front: 1.102; Rear: .709
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: 93°84 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°±5°15 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inside Bolts 1-1026 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 18.089 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) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
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 2020 BRZ sits in a prolonged low-activity window for this generation: after the 2013 launch year's 63 complaints and 367 TSBs, federal complaints stabilized between one and seven annually from 2014 through 2020, with recalls appearing only sporadically in 2018 (two) and 2019 (one). The 2020 model year itself recorded just two complaints — one spanning suspension, powertrain, and engine categories and one for visibility/wiper — zero recalls, zero investigations, and 212 TSBs, a figure consistent with the 190–280 range seen across the mid-generation years. Notably, the 2022 model year shows a measurable uptick to ten complaints and one recall, suggesting the 2020 vintage precedes that later increase. No crash or fire complaints were logged for 2020, and the data does not specify root causes for the two reported issues. Taken together, the 2020 BRZ represents a quiet, stable point in the federal record with no recall exposure and minimal complaint volume, making it a strong candidate year for a used purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
212
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
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 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Suspension,Power Train,Engine1
Visibility/Wiper1

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 212 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

Does the 2020 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 / 27 combined mpg.