FR-S / BRZ Reliability Low (Consumer Reports) - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

MJ_Redondo · 03-05-2014, 04:41 PM

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

Tromatic · 03-05-2014, 04:48 PM

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.

Bristecom · 03-05-2014, 04:51 PM

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.

ZOMFGAARON · 03-05-2014, 04:51 PM

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

strat61caster · 03-05-2014, 05:25 PM

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

Grip Ronin · 03-05-2014, 07:22 PM

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

Drive · 03-05-2014, 10:08 PM

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.

LadyFRZ · 03-05-2014, 10:14 PM

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.

illest86 · 03-05-2014, 10:18 PM

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

MJ_Redondo · 03-07-2014, 03:14 PM

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

dnieves · 03-07-2014, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drive

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.

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.

Tromatic · 03-07-2014, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnieves

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.

Fortis · 03-09-2014, 06:32 AM

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

BlueSTaR · 03-09-2014, 06:35 AM

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.

03-05-2014, 04:41 PM	#1
MJ_Redondo Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 1996 Acura Integra GS-R Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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

03-05-2014, 07:22 PM	#6
Grip Ronin The Mechanic Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: Civic Turbo,FR-S Location: NJ Posts: 928 Thanks: 130 Thanked 171 Times in 119 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	few of these cars had problems that left some abonded. if it always starts and goes then its reliable __________________ IG-Joey_Soul Progress Thread Ported billet 20G

03-05-2014, 10:08 PM	#7
Drive Crickets... Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: FR-S 10 Series Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 199 Thanks: 41 Thanked 53 Times in 35 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. __________________ Smile on every turn.

03-05-2014, 10:18 PM	#9
illest86 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 150 Thanks: 155 Thanked 74 Times in 52 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Personal owner review: Reliability High. Performance High. Makes you high. __________________

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03-05-2014, 04:48 PM	#2
Tromatic Banned Join Date: May 2013 Drives: FR-S Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,232 Thanks: 61 Thanked 1,728 Times in 786 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

03-05-2014, 04:51 PM	#4
ZOMFGAARON A Demon Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: Raven GT86 Location: Denver Posts: 1,992 Thanks: 190 Thanked 1,321 Times in 701 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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

03-05-2014, 10:14 PM	#8
LadyFRZ Car N00b Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: 97 Miata Location: San Diego,CA Posts: 506 Thanks: 168 Thanked 1,167 Times in 450 Posts Mentioned: 22 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	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.

03-07-2014, 03:14 PM	#10
MJ_Redondo Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 1996 Acura Integra GS-R Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for the input, everyone. Good to know. I will be purchasing my WR Blue Premium sometime this month.

03-09-2014, 06:32 AM	#13
Fortis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: 2014 FR-S AT Asphalt Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 346 Thanks: 126 Thanked 195 Times in 100 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Still more reliable than a Volkswagen... Don't get me started. I've owned 2!

03-09-2014, 06:35 AM	#14
BlueSTaR Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 13 BRZ Limited & 16 Hyperblue Location: Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 451 Thanks: 14 Thanked 235 Times in 126 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

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