AI Damage1991 Toyota MR2: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Toyota MR2 filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 25% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 4 Latches, locks, linkages 17% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- Air bags: 3 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Tires: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
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.
Told by patt lobb toyota in mckinney, tx that toyota na will be reaching out to me. "unable to replace steering wheel" under recall 91v223
I was checking for the takata airbag recall and found this recall which includes steering wheel and airbag(91v223) and the toyota dealership says it is to old of a recall to fix.
Nhtsa reference id 91v223. Escondido toyota says they can't replace the steering wheel.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 mph one of the two throttle body springs fractured causing the vehicle to accelerate to 80 mph. The ignition was turned off several times so the vehicle could be safely maneuvered off the road. The dealer was alerted and determined the entire throttle body must be replaced.
Driving on interstate at 65 mph hood flew up and shattered windshield and t-top glass. Secondary latch failed to catch hood from flight and resulted in hood, hood latch, wiper cowl, windshield, and t-top damage. No action taken to correct failure. Some repairs have been made to glass.
While driving at approximately 35 mph, consumer heard a flapping type noise that sounded like a belt had come loose. The vehicle immediately died. Consumer was informed that the engine had frozen in the event the vehicle had ran out of oil, however there was fresh oil in the vehicle and no signs of lack of oil.
While driving, a fire started in the engine compartment, located in the rear of the vehicle, there was no damage to the actual body of the car,the only visible damage to the unit was to the engine, (ohio traffic crash report).
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,160 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the MR2 has 4 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 12, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Toyota MR2?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, steering, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: door locks, latches, handles (8%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Toyota MR2?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1991 Toyota MR2 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1991 models
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.