AI DamageToyota MR2: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Toyota MR2 across 15 model years: 55 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 7% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 13 complaints (24% of all).
- Air bags: 6 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 5 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Latches, locks, linkages: 4 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1985–1989
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2000–2005
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1991–1995
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1991–1995
- automatic, 4-speed 1986–1995
- manual, 5-speed 1985–2005named in 4 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2003–2005named in 4 complaints
Drive: RWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 55 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The car was parked with engine running and parking brake on. I released the brake on and the car lurched forward crossing a curb and hitting a aluminum guard rail. The service seq transmisame light came on . After being towed to the dealer. It was found a hydraulic line had broken from corroding.
In 1987 I had a toyota mr2 and was in an accident in which the gas pedal stuck. Fortunately, it was a single vehicle crash on a california interstate.
On june 3, I had a collision with another auto that had run a red light. The other vehicle was crossing in front of me about 30 mph and I impacted her car on the passengers side at about 25 mph. The air bag on my 2002 toyota mr2 did not deploy. Have not had the car repaired yet.
Air bag deployment was violent, causing multiple bruises, hearing loss in both ears,cervical strain, severe bruising to both thumbs, and loosened lower bridge in mouth.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V223000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who confirmed that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer provided a Lien letter. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case.
Within the first two weeks after purchasing the vehicle, I noticed a transmission issue where the vehicle would not properly shift gears. I sometimes would try to up or downshift but there would be no change in the display on the gear indicator.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
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 2026-11-05.