What Problems Do Toyota GT86 Have? [Answered]

What Problems Do Toyota GT86 Have? It’s possible that engine lubrication issues, which have been observed by multiple owners of the 2022 Toyota GR86, are putting a damper on the fun that may be had in this inexpensive, two-seater, lightweight sports vehicle.

Because the owner took their vehicle to an amateur track day, Toyota claims that at least some of the failure was the owner’s fault.

This is something that Toyota encourages through both its marketing and owner perks such as a free track day.

To date, one owner has been denied engine replacement under warranty after a total failure that Toyota claims were at least in part his fault.

In addition, it appears as though the problems are more pervasive than was originally thought.

Overview

Both the Toyota GR 86 and the Subaru BRZ are two-plus-two sports vehicles that were co-created by Toyota and Subaru and are assembled in the Gunma facility that Subaru operates in Japan.

The 2+2 fastback coupé is distinguished by its naturally aspirated boxer engine, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive configuration, 53/47 front/rear weight balance, and low center of gravity.

It also takes design cues from Toyota’s earlier AE86, which was a small, light, front-engine/rear-drive Corolla variant that was widely popular for Showroom Stock, Group A, Group N, Rally, Club, and drift racing.

For the first generation of the sports car, Toyota marketed it as the 86 in Asia, Australia, North America (from August 2016), South Africa, and South America; as the Toyota GT86 in Europe; as both the 86 and the GT86 in New Zealand; as the Toyota FT86 in Brunei, Nicaragua, and Jamaica; and as the Scion FR-S (2012–2016) in the United States and Canada. In the United States and Canada, Toyota marketed the sports car as the Scion FR S.

As a member of the Gazoo Racing family, the model’s second generation is referred to by Toyota as the GR86 for marketing purposes.

2022 Toyota GT86 Engine Addressed Issue

After the engine broke down on July 10, 2022 GR86 owner Blake Alvarado discovered that there was RTV in the oil pickup of his vehicle.

The Subaru FA24D engine in the vehicle utilizes a sealant called RTV as a gasket, and the manufacturing facility is rumored to apply excessive amounts of the substance.

It is possible for the pickup to become clogged with RTV if it becomes dislodged in the engine’s oil.

This can lead to a lack of oil, which in Alvarado’s instance resulted in the bearing being destroyed.

The posts were in response to the dealer’s refusal to replace the owner’s engine under warranty.

There is a lack of clarity regarding the number of vehicles that are impacted, and neither Toyota nor Subaru has issued a service bulletin or recall to address the matter.

According to Alvarado, the dealer refused to replace his engine and claimed that the vehicle had been damaged while participating in an autocross event on the orders of the car’s distributor, Gulf States Toyota.

Alvardo admitted in an interview with The Drive as well as a post he made on social media that he took his car to a “Test & Tune” day as well as a few local performances driving events, but claimed the speeds at those events rarely exceeded the speed limit on the highway.

Alvarado asserts that the engine of the car has not been modified in any way, nor has it been subjected to any form of abuse.

As a point of context, the engine in the Alvarado had traveled only 13,770 miles before it broke down.

What characteristics should I look for when purchasing a pre-owned Toyota GT86 coupe?

Make sure that any potential accident damage has been thoroughly inspected.

This is still a moderately strong rear-wheel-drive sports vehicle that has the potential to swing its tail wide if it is driven with vigor and gusto.

Get an HPI check done because it will tell you whether the car has ever been declared a total loss by its insurance carrier at any point in its life, even if it appears to be spotless on the outside.

A seemingly spotless automobile on the outside could be hiding all sorts of horrible things on the inside.

The Automobile Association (AA) and the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) both provide pre-buy inspection services, which entail a qualified inspector taking a look at your possible purchase in exchange for a charge, and pointing out any potential problems that may be associated with it.

What are some of the most typical issues that arise with a pre-owned Toyota GT86 coupe?

Rust on door pillar

Corrosion has been discovered by several GT86 owners on the small door pillar that is next to the mirror; nonetheless, this is not the end of the world because the rust guarantee should cover it.

The taillights had water in them.

Condensation has been reported in the rear lights by a few owners, similar to what has been reported for the BRZ.

Make sure that the seals on the taillights are intact by using a watering can or a garden hose and directing the flow of water directly onto the seal.

You should now have a fair notion of whether or not the light will permit water to enter the room as a result of this.

Lumpy idle

Even though the boxer engine isn’t the smoothest one available, there have been reports of customers being dissatisfied with its bumpy idle.

If you take the vehicle to a Toyota dealership, the service department should be able to resolve the issue either by installing a software update or by performing the necessary maintenance as part of the vehicle’s regular maintenance schedule.

Engine valve spring

There was an engine problem with valve springs failing in the engine of some early GT86s that were constructed between the 9th of April 2012 and the 24th of May 2013.

On an engine that requires revving in order to perform at its best, this is not an ideal situation.

There was a recall issued so that concerned vehicles might have their valve springs replaced with upgraded components; therefore, you should verify with your local Toyota dealer to ensure that this procedure has been carried out.

Loss of support from the power steering

There has been yet another recall for early models of the Toyota GT86, but this time it is for the power steering wheel system.

It is possible for it to malfunction owing to a fault with the wiring harness that is connected to the electric power steering system, and it affects vehicles that were constructed between 4 April 2012 and 18 March 2015.

In order to resolve the issue, affected vehicles will require a new wire harness, which will be installed by a Toyota dealer at no cost to the customer as part of the recall.

The Mazda MX5 Exist

Toyota is completely helpless when it comes to this particular point.

The MX5 is more affordable than even the base model of the GT86, has more powerful engines, weighs less, sets the standard for how well a small car handles and is better constructed.

There is in point of fact nothing else that can be said. Simply said, if you want cheap thrills with rear-wheel drive, you should buy an MX5.

Since 1989, it has been the benchmark of subcompact sports cars for a good reason, and this is coming from someone who isn’t especially fond of the MX5.

This is a very pricey 

When it was first made available, the automobile had a price tag that was somewhat steep.

To be more specific, £25,000 To put that into perspective, you might use that money to buy a Renault Megane RS, which is frequently mentioned as being among the best driver’s cars, in contrast to the Toyota GT86, which is not.

If you spend $27,000, you can get into a Nissan 370Z with a roaring V6 engine; if you spend $28,000, you can get into a Porsche Boxster.

Considering that 99 percent of new automobiles are financed, it wouldn’t cost much more per month (if anything more per month) to buy the Porsche or the Nissan, and you have a far better chance of negotiating a lower price with the Porsche dealership.

Get a BMW 1-series hatchback instead of the sedan if you are dead set on reducing your expenses.

No matter which of these options you choose, the final product will be a vehicle that is more exciting to drive.

In 2015, Toyota reduced the costs to £22,500 by eliminating several of the standard features; they referred to this trim level as the “Primo.”

In all seriousness, the list is so devoid of options that a radio antenna is one of the features that stands out.

If you absolutely must have the least expensive GT86 available, then you should get a Primo; nonetheless, the inside of a Primo is about as empty as that of a Dacia Sandero.

If you live in the United States, the Nissan and Porsche will be way beyond your price range, and the hatchback version of the BMW 1 Series does not exist.

What other possibilities are available to people who live on the other side of the pond?

Pony Automobiles The new Camaro comes with a 275-horsepower Turbo-4 engine and borrows its underpinnings from the Cadillac ATS.

The ATS is a car that is currently giving BMW a fair beating on the handling front.

The new Camaro costs a little more than $25,000. At a price of $26,100, the FRS is, in point of fact, the more expensive vehicle.

You can also get the V6 and EcoBoost Mustangs for prices that are both lower than $26,000, and you can get an EcoBoost performance pack for $28,290, which is a price that represents far greater value for the money.

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