Subaru/FA20D

Subaru · Single turbo

FA20D

BRZ·ZC6·2012–2021·2,387 cc

"She made it without any major engine problems. Now everyday is a gift."

SOLID

74/ 100

"Fun and reliable, watch the oil closely"

296

Max HP

350

Torque Nm

5,000

Oil interval km

Recalls

Known issues

Known Issues

Excessive Oil Consumption€200-1,500 · 30,000-100,000 kmHIGH

The FA20D is known for consuming oil at an elevated rate, with some owners reporting up to 1 litre per 1,000 km. Dealerships even offered optional add-ons to address this issue. Switching to a higher-viscosity oil such as Motul 300V 10W-40 has been reported to reduce consumption. An Air/Oil Separator (AOS) is a commonly recommended aftermarket fix to reduce oil blow-by into the intake.

Frequent need to top up oil between changes

Oil level dropping noticeably on dipstick

Blue-tinged exhaust smoke under acceleration

Oil fouling on intake components

DIY: Easy to monitor; AOS installation is Moderate

Camshaft Position Sensor / VVT System Fault (P0018)€150-800 · 60,000-150,000 kmMODERATE

P0018 fault codes relating to camshaft correlation have been reported on FA20-series engines. Causes include faulty OCV (Oil Control Valve) sensors, cam solenoids, or timing chain stretch. Oil quality and change intervals are critical to keeping the VVT system healthy.

Check engine light with P0018 code

Rough idle or hesitation

Reduced power output

Poor cold-start behaviour

DIY: Moderate

Clutch Wear and Gearshift Issues€600-1,800 · 40,000-120,000 kmMODERATE

Clutch burn-out and difficulty finding gears have been reported, particularly on modified or enthusiast-driven examples. Short-throw shifter modifications can contribute to harder gear engagement over time. Many used BRZs will have been driven hard or modified.

Difficulty selecting gears

Clutch slipping under load

Burning smell from clutch area

Stiff or notchy gear changes

DIY: Hard

Electrical Gremlins and Grounding Issues€50-300 · 50,000-150,000 kmLOW

Some owners have reported intermittent electrical faults and fault codes that were resolved by installing an aftermarket grounding kit. These issues can trigger misleading ECU codes and cause erratic behaviour.

Intermittent warning lights

Erratic sensor readings

Unexplained fault codes

Electrical accessories behaving unpredictably

DIY: Easy

Buying Checklist

Check oil level and condition — low or dirty oil may indicate poor maintenance or high consumption neglect

Scan for OBD-II fault codes including P0018 and any VVT/cam-related codes before purchase

Test drive through all gears under load to detect clutch slip or difficult gear engagement

Ask for full service history and verify oil change intervals of no more than 5,000–6,000 km

Inspect intake tract and air filter housing for oil residue indicating significant blow-by

Check for signs of modification — Cobb AccessPort maps, short shifters, or E85 kits that may mask or cause drivetrain wear

Service Reality

Community oil interval5,000 km

Oil specification5W-30 or 10W-40 full synthetic; community recommends 10W-40 (e.g. Motul 300V) to reduce oil consumption

Est. ownership cost (2yr)€600–1,800 per year depending on oil consumption management, clutch condition, and modification history

Real fuel consumptionNo data

Also Found In

Toyota 86 / GT86 (ZN6)Scion FR-S (ZN6)

Buying Advice

The FA20D in the Gen1 BRZ is a genuinely enjoyable and mechanically sound engine when properly maintained, but oil consumption is a real and documented concern that demands attention. Prioritise cars with documented short oil change intervals and avoid examples with heavy modification history unless you can verify professional tuning. Budget for an Air/Oil Separator installation as a preventive measure shortly after purchase. Overall, a well-maintained BRZ is a rewarding buy — just go in with eyes open on the oil situation.

Parts People Buy

Motul 300V 10W-40 Engine OilLink unavailable

Crawford Air/Oil Separator for FA20Link unavailable

OBD-II Diagnostic ScannerLink unavailable

FA20 Oil Control Valve / OCV SolenoidLink unavailable

Clutch Kit for Subaru BRZ FA20Link unavailable

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