FR-S / BRZ Reliability Low (Consumer Reports)
 

I recently read in Consumer Reports (2014 Car Review Issue) that both the Scion FR-S & Subaru BRZ variants of the FT86 received low scores for reliability. I found this odd as Subarus (and Toyotas) usually rate high in this category. I can only assume it's the growing pains of a new engine platform and a completely new wheelbase.
Just curious what current owners of FR-S and BRZ models have experienced as far as reliability with their cars, dealer recalls, unscheduled maintenance, engine failures or just general fails. Thanks for any info.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/scion/fr-s.htm

Willing to bet that rating is based on the complaints found at one particular website devoted to the car.

For example, see the "What do tou hate" thread. Have you read any of the forums here before you asked that question? It's packed full of the info you seek on the "problems" with this car, none of which my car has other than the crickets and I could not care less about that.

FOS article is FOS.

There's a sub-forum on here all about that: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=72

There are some annoying issues with the car here and there but for most people, it's no big deal.

I'm sure it's to do with this being the first year of the cars production and they're still working out small kinks.

Here's a list of complaints and "issues" with the car. That I'm sure have a huge impact on this.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11587

Check this thread out:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51071

Nothing has changed since then, most people feel the same way.
Here's another discussion:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51307

few of these cars had problems that left some abonded. if it always starts and goes then its reliable

I love my 86 and I accept the minor problems that come along with it... it is a first year production model so what do you expect. The only issue that is noticeable for me is the crickets, which will be fixed once my fuel pump is replaced at my next service - however it's not a big deal.

I wouldn't put too much stock in CR.
What problems there are with this car have mostly been fixed, or are minor.
I think CR gives different ratings to the FRS and the BRZ, so that shows quite a bit,too. ;)

Just enjoy the car. It's built by both Toyota and Subaru. Not like it's gonna spontaneously combust anytime soon.

Personal owner review: Reliability High. Performance High. Makes you high.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Good to know.
I will be purchasing my WR Blue Premium sometime this month.

Some people here have posted the crickets going away on their own without a pump replacement. The only other complaints I've read about are rattles (typical of Subaru cars and they aren't deemed unreliable) and GPS issues on early BRZs (Subaru promptly remedied by this with a software update and new antenna). Whiners/cry babies and Consumer Reports really need a reality check and put things into perspective when potentially lumping this with lesser cars like the Dart and Cobalt ant etc.

My previous car, a Release 8 tC, was the noisiest, rattle prone car I've ever been in. The FR-S is not the quietest car I've ever been in, but on smooth roads I'm always surprised at the low cabin noise level. I have zero rattle problems as well.

I'll say it again: The FR-S/BRZ is a taste of the exotic I'll never be able to have. Stock it's an awesome little car, and people who complain about it are either idiots or clueless. I'm thankful and grateful that I can have one.

Still more reliable than a Volkswagen... Don't get me started. I've owned 2!

I bet it's based off of some crap like number of warranty claims.

Most of us driving our 86 are going to be WAY more particular than a typical Accord driver too.