2013 BRZ Consumer Reports problem areas
 

I'm doing research on the BRZ/FR-S and am really interested in a 2013 BRZ for sale nearby but Consumer Reports lists body integrity and the fuel system as poor for 2013 but for 2014 the fuel system has their highest rating and body integrity has improved but still not the best(later years get the highest rating). Was there specific issues with the 2013 fuel system and body integrity that can be easily/cheaply fixed(I recently learned that ceramic coating a car is a thing) or are these issues being overblown by CR?


Thanks for all the responses

Few people had issues with the fuel system and had to get it replaced. There was a bulletin to get it optionally replaced (different part number) .. pretty much only if you had an issue in the vehicle. I don't think most people had the issue though. And it costed a pretty penny.

I don't know what body integrity issues CR is talking about. There was a plug that was forgotten that led to potential water accumulation but that was taken care of w/n the first month of release.

All in all, I think it's overblown. If you can, pick a "newer" '13 model over the ones that were earlier in product. If possible '14 or later is ideal. But there really weren't any major issues with the 1st gen.

There were some fit issues with the front fenders on a very few. It was right where it meets the door so very obvious and an easy fix. They also included the leaky taillights as bod. If it isn't full of water all is good.
The fuel issue was the noisy fuel pump commonly referred to as crickets. It was (is) annoying but not really a problem.
This link has all the Service Bulletins for the most common issue. Don't let it scare you since not all cars had all or even any of the list. If you can get the car's VIN number you can look and see what would apply and check if it was done
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21868

oh my goodness, I completely forgot how many enthusiasts were so upset over the fitment of the bumper-fender area! I don't remember the door fitment complaints though.
Leaky tail lights were pretty common too .. but its mostly been light fogging up for most people ~

You are talking about the droopy bumper. The door and fender thing wasn't common but there was some talk about it. Doubt there are any left floating around out there that have it. At least both are easy to spot.

Oh and the crickets was and still is an issue for many, many people but the latest updated pump seems to work about half the time. Not really worth the trouble and 13s are out of warranty anyway.

I also recall some complaints about the occasional window switch control for the passenger window from the driver's side sometimes not working. The fully automatic scroll wouldn't work even after the pulling the switch up all the way, but a second attempt usually made it go up all the way pretty consistently.

That was a seal issue and a window control issue, it would be exacerbated in freezing weather and required the window control reset trick. The TSB involved a newer seal design as well as replacing effected window parts

I have droopy bumper syndrome. Whatever...

I reckon if it looks good, runs right, everything works and it hasn't been "messed with", it's good to go.


humfrz

I suspect the direct injector seal problem was the main "fuel system" problem. Fixed with an updated tune. It makes me vaguely uncomfortable recommending a 13, but probably shouldn't.

And it worked well. I never had an issue again after I had the TSB done.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Not sure if it was due to this thread but suddenly the fender issue thread reappears after being dormant for 4 years!


https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show...72#post3135772

Awesome, I got the VIN number but i'm not sure how they match up exactly with the links on that page, they say the VIN starts with D*603651 but the VIN I got doesn't have a D till the 10th character, do I just compare the D*603651 to the last 8 digits of the VIN?

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

Yep. You are only worried about the last part of the number.
At this point in time I would guess that any 13s either didn't have the issues in the TSBs or the work has been done already.