AI DamageToyota 86: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Toyota 86 across 6 model years: 14 owner complaints and 73 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 36% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 5 complaints (36% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 155.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2017–2020
- automatic, 6-speed 2017–2020
- manual, 6-speed 2017–2020
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 155 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 83 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The drivers and passenger seat belts released upon impact without warning. The contact received burns and wrist injuries the passenger sustained chest and head injuries and medical attention was provided for both occupants. The driver of the toyota 4runner sustained unknown injuries and medical attention was provided.
Right and left strut mounts struts are making noise popping noise when turning the wheel also transmission is very hot in cabin. Back up camera blanks out on hot says
On [XXX], my 2019 Toyota 86 experienced a sudden engine failure while I was driving, causing the vehicle to lose power and become undrivable. The vehicle was towed to Camelback Toyota in Phoenix, AZ. The dealership initially diagnosed the failure as being caused by an “overfilled oil” condition.
The contact stated while driving 30 MPH with her grandson inside the vehicle, the contact heard a tapping sound coming from engine and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the right side of the road while awaiting tow truck assistance.
My srs warning light keeps coming on every time I start my vehicle. The warning light on my dash bord it reads check srs air bag system.it has been doing this for at last 4 weeks it won't go away regardless.
Until then, the tires were trying to grab and started squealing. Now I have also tried to press the brake with my left foot and press the gas with my right and the fail safe does indeed kick in and prevent the car from engaging the tires.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.