Toyota GR86 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Toyota GR86 options? We analyzed 5 model years (2022–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Toyota GR86 has 21 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls across model years 2022–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- GR86
- Model years analyzed
- 2022–2026 (5 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 21
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2022 (21 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Good
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
GoodThe TOYOTA GR86 has 21 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 21 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 2 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
2 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2022–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 21 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
21 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
COMPONENT/SYSTEM FAILURE: Engine - Catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation on August 4, 2025. FA24 engine consumed excessive oil without triggering oil pressure warning light or low oil level indicator. Oil was changed at 500 miles after purchase and topped off on July 12, 2025. Engine failed 23 days later with no warning. Vehicle has been at dealership since August 4, 2025 (34+ business days). Component is available for inspection at [Dealer Name] Toyota. SAFETY RISK: Sudden engine failure without warning created immediate dangerous conditions: - Complete loss of power while driving in normal traffic - No warning allowed to safely pull over before failure - Loss of power steering and power brake assist - Risk of being rear-ended due to sudden deceleration - Could have been catastrophic if occurred during highway passing/merging The absence of warning lights before oil starvation failure is critical safety defect. DEALER CONFIRMATION: Yes - [Dealer Name] Toyota has confirmed engine failure and has had vehicle since August 4, 2025. This is second extended stay (first was January-February 2025, 42 business days). Total of 76 business days in shop out of 8.5 months ownership. Dealer confirmed warranty repair needed but awaiting Toyota corporate authorization. MANUFACTURER INSPECTION: Vehicle at authorized Toyota dealer. Dealer technicians have diagnosed engine failure. Toyota Motor Sales corporate currently reviewing warranty authorization. No police/insurance inspection as vehicle was able to be towed to dealer. WARNING SYMPTOMS: CRITICAL: NO oil pressure warning light before engine failure despite oil level being critically low - Oil changed at 500 miles post-purchase - Oil topped off July 12, 2025 (verified normal level) - Engine failed August 4, 2025 - only 23 days later - NO warning lights prior to catastrophic failure - Oil monitoring system failed to alert driver of dangerous condition ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 2024 GR86 purchased December 28, 2024
The engine on my GR86 failed when I was accelerating onto a freeway. This has been confirmed by the dealership and the car is in need of a short or long block repair. The vehicle has just over 9000 miles on it and the manufacturer and the dealership are refusing to cover this under warranty. Gasket material was found in the oil intake tube and this has been a documented problem on the Internet which has caused many engine failures. This is a safety issue as the car is now inoperable. Had this happened in traffic this could’ve caused a car accident. The invoice and work order includes information that is not correct. Specifically, I was told that oil did show up on the dipstick at the time that it was checked at the dealership however, they later changed that to say that it was checked on an incline which I find to not be credible
1. On [XXX] exactly 1 year after purchasing a 2022 Toyota GR 86 from Toyota of Catonsville the Vehicle's engine failed. Shortly before the failure, the oil light came on, indicating a potential issue with oil circulation. 2. The engine then failed catastrophically, leaving a hole in the engine casing. 3. This engine failure is consistent with numerous other documented failures in the same year and model of the Vehicle, which have been found to have defects affecting the engine's ability to circulate oil properly. 4. After charging the owner for an engine breakdown and diagnosis, Heritage Toyota of Catonsville provided a document that states that the damage was consistent with high vehicle speeds and high engine speeds and a data report showing an instance of the car operated at high vehicle speed and high engine speed. However, Heritage Toyota refused to provide detailed information and data derived from the diagnosis and failed to provide any statement regarding the cause of the breakdown or warranty inapplicability. 5. In response to the Plaintiff's request for warranty coverage, Heritage Toyota provided a written statement stating that the engine repair would not be covered by the multiple warranties purchased with the Vehicle. Heritage Toyota provided repair option estimates for $22,000 and $33,000. When a tow truck was sent to pick up the car, Heritage Toyota delivered the car to the tow truck driver without the motor and provided numerous loose parts for towing with the body of the car. The car was not towed and was left at the dealer. We believe that Toyota sold us a defective automobile, in violation of three separate statutes: (1) the Maryland Automotive Warranty Enforcement Act; (2) the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act; and (3) the Maryland Consumer Protection Act. We also believe that Heritage Toyota violated the law when they did not provide the information obtained from the diagnostic engine breakdown that was paid for by the owner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The dome light on the driver side has failed. This is not due to a dead bulb, but instead the circuit area seems to die if the car sits in the sun. This has been confirmed by a dealer but I haven't yet scheduled an appointment to replace the electrical parts. There were no safety warnings.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota GR86. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine blew. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the silicone and oil had clogged the line. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 32, 000.
When the rear of my vehicle is directly facing the sun slightly after sunrise or before sunset (when the angle of the sun is low), my rear turn signals fail to function properly. When this happens, the turn signals hyperflash on the dash, and in the front of the vehicle. However the main concern is that the rear turn signals do not illumate at all when these conditions occur. Zero illumination comes from the rear turn signal, which may result in an accident or citation. Only when a shadow is cast upon the affected turn signal will it begin to blink normally again. Toyota had not recalled this issue, however Subaru of Canada has. (Subaru and Toyota make this car together). The issue has not been able to be reproduced by the dealer so they won't address it. However I've been able to reproduce it once on video under the specific conditions mentioned above. It won't let me upload a video, but please reach out to me and I'd be happy to provide.
Read 14 more owner reports
Turn signal issue, lights are hyper blinking when direct sunlight is shining on the back of the vehicle. Happens every single time sun is on the rear of the vehicle. turn signals don't work while sun is at rear of vehicle
When the sun is facing the rear of the car, the rear turn signals do not activate, and the turn signals flash rapidly. It is exactly what happens in this youtube video: https://youtu.be/dHwMCdlJfYQ This is a danger, because my car will not properly signal when I change lanes or take a turn. I have taken my car to Toyota multiple times now and they have been unable to properly fix my turn signal and will not diagnose it any further. https://www.gr86.org/threads/fast-blinker-caused-by-low-sun.4733/post-96056 This behavior by the dealer and the manufacturer is irresponsible and dangerous. This issue needs to be resolved at the federal level to ensure the safety of myself and others on the road.
My daughters were involved in a highway accident on 2-4-2023 when their rear passenger tire came apart. The vehicle is a 2022 Toyota gr86 premium, came with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tire, was purchased new in August 2022 and had 3008 miles on the odometer just after the accident.
There are multiple incidents and confirmed by many different owners across the nation. Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ when there is strong sunlight direct towards the taillights, the turn signals (rear) will not operate and hyperflash at the front signal lights This is a safety hazard, and couple owners had been ticketed because of the lights being defect. Dealerships network had been ignoring this as they won't be replicate the sun in the taillight situation.
Engine failure due to the manufacture applying too much silicone that restricted oil flow.
As owner of 2022 GR86, I read about RTV issue where the manufacturer put too much RTV on oil pan. It would stick out excessively inside the oil pan and it would break off to block engine oil tube filter. It would cause engine to run dry once blocked and cause engine failure. I went to dealer for oil change and they showed me pictures of other GR86 that dropped the pan and it was clogged completely. So in order to prevent engine failure, I asked them to drop my pan as well and they sent me pictures of RTV on the oil pickup tube as well as the excess RTV inside the oil pan that would potentially clog the tube in the future.
These gr86’s are so commonly known for having excessive rtv sealant in the engine with the oil intake tubes becoming blocked up. I contacted Toyota about a solution, but there’s nothing. No recall. Everything is case by case. And if you track your car with the included track day when you buy the car the warranty can become null and void.
Engine knocking due to oil deprivation. Have heard and read articles of RTV being the culprit as it clogs the oil pick up. Although the dealership hasn’t exactly told me what caused oil deprivation on my car.
There seems to be silicone excess in the oil , seen other vehicles result in engine problems due to oil starvation
Unknown/ seems to be to much RTV used on the oil pan when the car was being built there are multiple reported cases of this and the excess RTV is coming loose and falling in the oil pan which then is being sucked up through the pick up tube and causing oil starvation
Due to recent events and issues , I have found excess silicone stuck in my oil pan filler tube . I have also found residue of silicone in my engine dipstick. I am afraid this will cause oil starvation as it has happened to owners already. I am afraid for the safety of me and my passengers in the vehicle .
There are excess RTV silicone that can be seen from engine oil dip stick. Sign of having excess RTV that can cause damage to the enginer. Same issue happened to one of the GR86 enthusiast group member having excess RTV got mixed with the engine oil and it got stuck through the oil pick up strainer that cause to clogged and oil starvation and damage to the engine.
My 2022 Toyota GR86 along with many other GR86 owners on a national GR86 owners group I am apart of on FB are experiencing problems with the RTV silicone gasket that seats between the oil pan and the engine. It is breaking off and clogging the oil mesh net and the pump. causing the engine to starve for oil resulting in complete engine failure. And in the case of one 86 in California the engine blew up and caught fire. There is another case that has gotten a lot of attention on social media, where the owner was using it on the track which was an authorized Toyota track day. In which the owner purchased from Toyota when he bought his car. the engine oil pump was blocked by RTV break off. Blocked the pump, starved the engine and it blew up and failed. Many owners have been recently encountering these issues. but with various end results. But the cause remains the same. I am asking you guys at NHTSA to issue a recall notice to Toyota for this issue.
The contact owned a 2022 Toyota GR86. The contact was at a complete stop when the vehicle exploded into flames. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely before the vehicle was completed destroyed. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, then towed to a body shop for investigation. There was no medical treatment on the scene. The contact experienced smoke inhalation and reported to the emergency the following day. There were blood tests done for the contact at the emergency. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6700.
Showing 20 of 21 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Toyota GR86
These pages show model-year patterns across 5 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Toyota GR86, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota GR86 has 21 complaints on record across 5 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Toyota GR86 has 2 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 1 of the Toyota GR86's 21 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Toyota GR86 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Toyota GR86 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Toyota GR86 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Toyota GR86 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota GR86 reliable?
Good. The Toyota GR86 has 21 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Toyota GR86 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2022 (21 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Toyota GR86 problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (13 complaints); EXTERIOR LIGHTING (5 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints).
Does the Toyota GR86 have recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Toyota GR86. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.