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CriticalCommonEngine

Subaru BRZ: FA20D Cylinder Bore Scoring and Engine Seizure

FA20D Cylinder Bore Scoring and Engine Seizure is a common engine fault on the Subaru BRZ on the 2012–2020 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $6,000 to $15,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 26 documented faults on the Subaru BRZ.

Vehicle
Subaru BRZ
Engine
2.0L
Years
2012–2020
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Subaru BRZ as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Subaru BRZ faults26 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

A proportion of FA20D engines suffering prolonged oil consumption develop scoring (deep scratches) on the aluminium cylinder bores caused by inadequate lubrication film between the piston skirts and cylinder walls. The root cause is the same under-sealing piston ring design, but once scoring begins the engine rapidly progresses toward seizure. This failure is often linked to engines that ran low on oil due to the consumption issue going undetected.

What you would notice

  • Rapid oil consumption exceeding 1 litre per 500 km
  • Heavy blue-white smoke from the exhaust under all driving conditions, not just cold start
  • Rough idle and misfires caused by low compression in one or more cylinders
  • Deep knocking or rattling noise from the engine block under load
  • Failed compression test showing one or more cylinders significantly below spec (below 1,100 kPa)

How to check it

Where to look. FA20D engine block — cylinder bores, piston skirts and rings

  1. Listen for a deep knocking or ticking noise on cold start that changes with engine load.

  2. Request a borescope inspection of the cylinder bores if compression readings are uneven.

  3. If a workshop inspection is possible: Perform a compression and leakdown test — low compression or high leakdown on any cylinder alongside oil consumption is a strong indicator of bore scoring.

What it costs to put right

$6,000 to $15,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the engine ever been opened, inspected with a borescope, or had a compression/leakdown test carried out?”
  • “Has the car ever run low on oil, triggered a low-oil warning, or required an unscheduled top-up?”
  • “Is there any history of the engine being rebuilt or replaced under warranty or insurance?”

Now check the Subaru BRZ you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Subaru BRZ buyer questions

Is fa20d cylinder bore scoring and engine seizure serious on a Subaru BRZ?

We rate it critical and common on the Subaru BRZ. A proportion of FA20D engines suffering prolonged oil consumption develop scoring (deep scratches) on the aluminium cylinder bores caused by inadequate lubrication film between the piston skirts and cylinder walls. The root cause is the same under-sealing piston ring design, but once scoring begins the engine rapidly progresses toward seizure. This failure is often linked to engines that ran low on oil due to the consumption issue going undetected.

How much does it cost to fix on a Subaru BRZ?

$6,000 to $15,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Subaru BRZ years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2012–2020 Subaru BRZ. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Listen for a deep knocking or ticking noise on cold start that changes with engine load. Request a borescope inspection of the cylinder bores if compression readings are uneven. If a workshop inspection is possible: Perform a compression and leakdown test — low compression or high leakdown on any cylinder alongside oil consumption is a strong indicator of bore scoring. Look here: FA20D engine block — cylinder bores, piston skirts and rings