2020 SUBARU BRZ

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Burning more than 1 qt per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or under load, Loss of compression in one or more cylinders, Check engine light with misfire codes

Fix: FA20 engines are prone to piston ring issues and ring land cracking, especially if driven hard or oil changes were extended. Requires complete engine disassembly, new pistons, rings, and sometimes bore honing. 20-30 labor hours for full rebuild or short block swap.

Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000

Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi

Symptoms: Low oil pressure warning at idle when hot, Rattling or ticking from bottom end, Sudden oil pressure drop, Engine knock under acceleration

Fix: Factory applied excessive RTV on oil pan and timing cover; chunks break off and clog the oil pickup screen, starving bearings. Requires oil pan removal, pickup screen cleaning, and often bearing inspection or replacement if damage occurred. 8-12 hours labor if caught early; 25+ hours if bearings are damaged.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500 (early catch) / $5,000-9,000 (bearing damage)

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Chirping or squealing with clutch pedal depressed, Grinding noise when shifting, Clutch chatter on engagement

Fix: Throwout bearing and clutch fork pivot wear out prematurely, especially with performance driving. Since transmission is out, most shops replace the entire clutch assembly. 6-8 hours labor for throwout bearing alone, but budget for full clutch kit.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting or launching, Excessive drivetrain movement felt through shifter, Vibration at idle in gear

Fix: Rear transmission mount rubber deteriorates and tears. Easy fix—drop exhaust, unbolt old mount, install new. 1.5-2 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $250-400

Symptoms: Sudden misfire and loss of power at high RPM, Metallic rattling from valve cover area, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, Catastrophic engine damage if valve drops

Fix: FA20 valve springs can break under sustained high-RPM use (track days, autocross). Dropped valve can destroy piston and cylinder head. Requires head removal, valve train inspection, and often full head rebuild or replacement. 12-18 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $3,000-6,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Hesitation or stumble under wide-open throttle, Lean codes or fuel trim out of range, Stalling after sitting in hot weather

Fix: In-tank fuel pump can fail or deliver insufficient pressure, especially in high-heat climates. Requires fuel tank drop and pump assembly replacement. 2-3 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $600-900

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping near front of car, Burning smell after driving, Low transmission fluid level, Shifting issues if fluid gets critically low

Fix: Cooler lines and fittings can corrode or crack at connections. Requires line replacement and possibly cooler if damaged. 2-3 hours labor plus fluid refill and system flush.

Estimated cost: $400-700