Valve spring recall required for renewing registration
 

I found out today I cannot renew the registration on my 2013 until the J02 recall is performed. This was a surprise to me.... I thought it wouldn't be a blocking issue until the first smog test is required (a couple yrs from now). PSA in case you didn't know!

Really curious, is J02 recall having done still risky? I'm looking at buying a car and trying to decide if I shouldn't look at 2013 models at all.

Interesting. How were you informed? Did they not issue tags or was it on your reg renewal notice?

Yes, it is. Look 2015+ if possible. Way less issue

My renewal notice looks normal. When I tried to pay on the dmv website it errored saying "the status has changed". So I went to AAA (thankfully instead of the dmv) and they looked it up on their system and said it is due to emissions recall, which I am sure is J02 unless there is another emissions recall active I'm not aware of. I can pay the fee now, but won't get tags until the recall is performed.

I decided to non-op because it's track only and I have a truck for towing. I have intake/exhaust, flashed, and partially stripped interior w/ roll bar+seat so i'm hesitant a dealer would give me support if I had issues post-recall (or even perform the recall at all). Time to get cozy with the local u-haul rental spot....

Thanks. Had a 2013 that I bought new but only kept it for about a year so no idea that they had these issues.

Can anyone with a 2013 confirm if this is J02?

Looks like OP took an educated guess (which I am thankful for,) but if anyone else has experienced this, some kind of confirmation would be extremely helpful.

The paperwork said you'd have to do it to register. Then you can't register when you haven't done it.

What exactly do you have to submit to the DMV for proof? That salmon-coloured proof of recall slip filled out by the dealer? I still haven't had the recall yet, but I guess I'll have to. I'll have to get the supercharger removed and the engine returned to stock before the dealer will accept it, unfortunately. This is turning out to be a big PITA.

I got the J02 recall performed and the servicing dealer will submit a certificate that you have gotten the recall performed to the DMV. I also asked for a physical copy of the certificate stating my vehicle had gotten the recall done.

The recall isn't as bad as it sounds. If you research and find a dealership who has performed a good amount of the J02 recalls and hasn't had any major engine failures as a result you will likely be okay. Trouble comes when you take your car to a subpar dealership and folks who haven't done any or just a few j02 recalls attempt to perform the job without the proper experience or training. It can appear that it is very dangerous to have done by how many people report failures on the forum but know for every major failure following the recall there is a good amount of twins that had the recall done with no problems, folks with no issues mostly don't come on a forum to say, "no issues". Where as we see new members signing up just to post about their J02 issues which can make things seem skewed.

I suggest you research the dealership your bringing it to thoroughly, there are threads on this forum that outline the best way to go about getting it done to ensure the best possible outcome.

I trust my dealership to perform the recall. The PITA part is that they won't perform it unless the engine is returned to stock, so I have to get my edelbrock supercharger removed, and everything back to stock. This is $$$ is wasn't planning on spending. And if I want to re-install the supercharger, it's more $$$ again. Then, if anything happens to the engine, the dealer will blame the supercharger even if it's they're fault. I f I lived in another state, at least I'd have the option of not performing the recall.

So confirmation would be good that the exhaust repair OP referred to was for certain J02.

Also, if the above turns out to be confirmed true, anyone have an idea what kind of proof would the DMV accept if you had the J02 fixed by a non-dealership mechanic?

The point is that this is complete bullshit, because this type of a recall shouldn't be classified as "emissions related". I believe it's some sort of cahoots that the dealers are in with the DMV in order to bring more "business" to both parties.

The fact that this is such a hugely invasive engine out procedure means that it should be up to the discretion of the car owner if they want to have it done or not. I should be able to sign off on a piece of paper that says I choose not to have it done, and therefore if I suffer any engine failure as a result of not doing so I won't hold the dealership accountable.

In no way is this an "emissions related" type of recall. That part if it is complete bullshit and is just a means to attempt to force people to have this fucked up invasive work done to their engine that is completely healthy and in no need of it.

At this point, i think I've seen as many "car is dead from broken valve spring" posts as I've seen "car is dead after dealer repair" posts. I bet that's going to go more and more towards the valve spring side in the future.

I also get your frustration. You don't want anybody fucking up your car.

Meanwhile, go talk to Chase at Toyota One of Oakland. Ask him how many failures they had. Ask him about coverage if there's a failure. Ask him about which mechanic will do the repair, and what their experience is.

In the end, you can run without the fix, just paying your fees, and maybe get nailed for tags. Then again, I ran 1.5 years with expired tags recently, because the DMV never accepted proof of insurance. Idiots. Now I have tags again, though. Yay!

Just my observation from down under ,
Three of us bought new 2013 manual ones at about the same time.
One has 25000kms with no valve spring problem and no recall yet.
Another has 60000kms with no valve spring problem and no recall yet.
The third has 45000kms and is for sale after getting the recall challenge attempt.
So how about distance vs failure graphs before and also after recall?

**Warning**

This poster may have been lucky, but this is not advised for the general public. Getting pulled over with tags older than 6 months past due can get your car towed and impounded on the spot.

Oh, I think I'm just white and middle-aged. I got pulled over with expired tags. The officer didn't even ask for my registration. He just let me go.

I think it's considered a safety recall correct?

Scenario, you're going 70MPH and it's ass to mouth traffic as usual. Valve spring goes pop, engine dramatically slows down within a few seconds with little to no acceleration, and the car behind you hits.

Very well could be considered safety in your example.

OP said he thought his J02 was the reason for the extra emissions requirement for his registration, but that wasn't confirmed by OP or anyone else just yet.

Waiting to see if there is anyone with a more affirmative answer post their opinion or info.

J02 was classified as emissions for some asanine reason. We knew it was gonna be mandatory, just thought we had more time due to this long delay before reg is actually being held up

Got it, and same.

agreed, it is a bunch of horse shit. I'm positive if I didnt get the recall done my car would be fine. I know this dealership is way in LA area but Longo Toyota did mine right, I called and checked they have one of the highest rate of performing J02 recalls in the country and as far as I know have not had any engine failures, so if you haven't gotten it done yet and are close enough I think the risk is big enough to travel to a dealership with a high chance of success. The service advisor named Danny is the dude to talk to.

This is in every way and emissions related recall. If the spring breaks the fuel trims will be all over the place and thus effecting emissions. The DMV won't get any more business from this and I'm positive from a technician standpoint that Subaru/Toyota isn't benefiting from this from a financial standpoint unless the consumer willingly decides to add on additional services (clutch/tob, spark plugs) during the process

Think of safety more in the area of air bags (takata) or the safety of life. If you are going 70+ and don't have adequate spacing I'm sure your scenario will occur. For example of a safety recall is when Fiat Chrysler had to install tens of thousands of hitch receivers to block the fuel tank from exploding during an impact. The receivers that they installed aren't even certified for towing to prevent liability. Just to keep the front end of the car to stop from ramming the gas tank.



See above

OP, if I were you I’d get it fixed by a reputable dealership and then sell it right away. I wouldn’t want the potential of failure clouding my mind on the track.

I have 134,000 on my 2013 brz with a build date of 07/13 and I’m keeping this car because I trust this engine more than any other engine Subaru has made. I was not flagged for the J2 recall, but if I had some 20 year old take off the heads and experiment for a fun story to tell his buddies, all that confidence in the engine would be lost so I do understand where you're coming from.

It sucks your track car “soured” but at least you won’t have to worry about this with your future 2015+ ;)

Hahah, what? If the spring breaks, the engine will be in limp mode or completely off, and you'll be on the side of the road not moving.

I don't think anyone will be concerned with the fuel trims at that moment and the resulting air pollution.

I have personally experienced many broken valve springs in cars and trucks. You are correct the ECU will put the car into limp mode but more times than not it is still drivable. I'm sure i'm not the only person to see/experience this either.

While I haven't been a resident in California for very long I believe they(EPA/CARB) would be concerned about the resulting air pollution you are emitting from the failed spring. But i'm just speculating as i'm just a tech and not part of the board.

To piggyback off of jsimon my girlfriend drove 3 years on expired tags and was pulled over a couple times and never questioned about expired reg. Risk/reward I suppose but I wouldn't advise it

Toyota document from NHTSA website. I feel like CARB figures its something post MAF so gotta be emissions :bonk:

https://i.imgur.com/02xuSKy.png

Alright just got off the phone with the DMV.

I have a MY2013 BRZ that was recalled.
I received my notice of recall at the same time I received my renewal (within 2 weeks).
I just had moved addresses so I filled out my renewal and hoped all would go through without doing the recall.

Nothing came in the mail. Checked my old address, nothing in the mail.
Shit shit shit. Procrastination set in and I did not check on it. Because the money for the renewal was withdrawn from my account (or I cut a check, I cant remember) I thought my registration was good.

So I decided to call the DMV mainly because this post and also because I would like my tags I paid for.... and here's the scoop.

You have to have the recall done before you register your car again.

I was lucky to fall into this window where the DMV wasn't notified of the recall before I got my registration. So I am having replacement tags being sent to me (Or Im going into the DMV and getting them day of). However, when my car goes up for 2021 registration I must have the recall performed otherwise I will not be able to renew my registration. If you have not renewed your car yet, and you got a recall notice, you will need to have the recall done.

My car registration is due before May every year. Just an FYI.

Can you just “upgrade” and rebuild the engine instead of having to do the recall?

You'll probably have to provide a lot of documentation/proof that the valve springs have been replaced. If you're planning on rebuilding the engine, just get the recall done first. Stupid, but looks like the only option at this time if you want to register your vehicle.

Just found out today I couldnt renew my registration on my '13 due to the same issue in California.

My registration is due on 10/28/20. Does this mean I have 1 month to get my vehicle repaired and registered?

I'm not sure what to do at this point as I was not planning to get it repaired

Do what just about everyone else did in CA. Get the recall done or you can't register it. You've had over a year to get it done. Numerous threads like this one have been stating that the recall is mandatory in CA for a while now.

Yes after 10/28 you won’t be able to legally drive the car. You may be able to get temporary registration but they may not give that to you with the TSB still being open on your car.

Also, there are fees that you have to pay if you don’t register the car as inoperable.

Honestly, it doesn't take long to get done. Find one of the better dealers to do it and you should have your car back in 1-2 days. Serramonte kept hounding me to get it done and finally when I went to renew my regs I got the notice that I needed to provide proof of getting it complete.

When your recall is done make sure to get the salmon/orange certificate as proof (or get one from your friendly dealer), send it in with your payment and then you are all set to wait for your tags to come in.

DMV has been slow af processing things. I didnt get my tags for 2 and a half months after I sent everything in. Sooner the better.