Recall 18V772 covers 165,534 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, Fr-S, Brz, and Xv Crosstrek vehicles for fractured engine valve springs. Repair will be free.
Subaru is recalling 165,534 2012-2014 Impreza, Fr-S, Brz, and Xv Crosstrek vehicles because engine valve springs can fracture and cause engine malfunction or stalling. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash, and the Subaru dealer repair will be free once Subaru makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The valve springs in these 2012-2014 Impreza, Fr-S, Brz, and Xv Crosstrek vehicles are small steel springs inside the engine valve train. Each spring helps close an engine valve after the camshaft opens it, keeping air and exhaust flow timed with the pistons. The engine depends on those springs cycling cleanly at high speed.
On affected vehicles, the valve train design puts more stress on the springs than intended. Tiny impurities in the spring material are part of normal manufacturing, but under that extra stress, the material can fracture. When a valve spring breaks, the engine can malfunction or stall.
Owners can notice abnormal engine noise or vibration before a stall. Treat those signs as a reason to stop driving and arrange service, especially if your VIN is included in recall 18V772.
Who's affected?
Spans four model lines across three model years, all tied to the same engine component.
| 2014 Subaru Impreza | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2012 Subaru Impreza | Engine |
| 2013 Scion Fr-S | Engine |
| 2013 Subaru Brz | Engine |
| 2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek | Engine |
| 2013 Subaru Impreza | Engine |
| Units affected | 165,534 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. If you hear abnormal engine noise or feel unusual vibration, pull over when safe and call a Subaru dealer before continuing. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2014 Impreza, Fr-S, Brz, or Xv Crosstrek is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner notice if Subaru has not reached you yet; the notice explains when the free valve-spring replacement is available for your VIN.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer after your VIN is confirmed to ask about the valve-spring replacement that fixes the engine-stall risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 18V772 and Subaru recall WTY-84 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Pull over safely if the engine runs rough, loses power, or stalls.
What happens at the repair
Subaru's listed remedy is valve spring replacement. Once the dealer repair is available, a Subaru technician will replace the engine valve springs covered by recall 18V772. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Subaru also has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related valve spring or engine stall repair before the recall notice, bring your repair order and payment records to the service desk and ask how to submit them under Subaru's reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 1, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| November 1, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V772?
Recall 18V772 covers 165,534 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, Fr-S, Brz, and Xv Crosstrek vehicles with engine valve springs that can fracture. A fractured valve spring can cause engine malfunction or engine stall, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace the valve springs for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, Fr-S, Brz, or Xv Crosstrek is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V772. If it is, contact a franchised dealer to schedule the valve spring replacement. Reference recall number 18V772 and Subaru recall number WTY-84 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 18V772 is valve spring replacement free of charge. Parts and labor are covered by the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is engine stall. NHTSA campaign 18V772 says the valve springs can fracture, causing engine malfunction or a possible engine stall. An engine stall can increase crash risk, so confirm your VIN and arrange the free valve spring repair if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the original owner notice from the recall that began December 26, 2018, check your VIN and reference recall 18V772 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V772000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V772 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V772000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →