it was an afternoon, I’m from [XXX] going to tempe my friends house which is estimated 34 miles. I took the loop XXX driving mid way there all of sudden my car made loud werid rattling noise coming from the engine area. when accelerating it made rattling sound and when i let go of the gas it also made loud noises also. FYI, no warning lights came on, no check engine, no errors came up. so then i arrived at stop light, while in neutral my car rpm was going up and down i would say on limp mode. still no warning lights on dash. so then i arrive at my friends house. 2 hours later I went to start my car, and even more loud weird noises never heard before sounds came up. put it in 1st gear drove about 200 yards, car completely shuts off and now all the warnings lights appear. Called tow truck and tow to toyota. My gr86 is all up to date with maintenance all from official toyota dealership. Got my oil change in start of May since then 6k miles. My car as total of 54k miles. I do have video of the noises it was making on the highway. Mainly hoping toyota will cover this since my car is still under powertrain/drivetrain warranty which is 60,000miles/5 years INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11760750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Had my engine spin a bearing in 2023 and was told to report what had happened. The car was used in track days prior to this but while driving down the highway afterwards it lost oil pressure and spun a nearing. Had it towed Twin City Toyota, a dealer and had them give me the run around with it. Saying it had hit the limiter 60 miles before the issue accrued and that it “over revved 13 rpms” and that since it had hit the limiter and being a stick shut it voided my warranty. Told me I would have to pay 26K for a new motor and if not to get my car out of there. They also refused to give me any documentation for it and what they claimed was on the cars data stream. Toyota corporate also got involved and said they changed the warranty terms after I bought the car and wouldn’t warranty it because of what the dealer was claiming.
NHTSA complaint #11759341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle experienced catastrophic engine failure while driving at 45mph. Inspection results from Toyota said the issue was a rod failure due to a spun bearing no cause ever determined by Toyota. Engine failure like this while in operation could lead to serious injury or death under the right circumstances. No engine lights to indicate prior problem and vehicle was serviced less than a month before incident occurred. Vehicle was under warranty but Toyota refused to honor the warranty. Oil starvation is the number one cause of spun bearing leading to engine failure Toyota didn't even consider this as a potential cause because of the implication. There are countless stories from GR86 and BRZ owners that have experienced the same engine failure. The RTV sealant Toyota is using to seal the oil pans is being over applied at production and leaking into the pan getting sucked into the oil pickup and causing the oil starvation that is destroying the engines. There needs to be a recall on all GR86 models that had RTV used to seal the pans and have them fitted with a proper gasket to eliminate this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11758447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My engine started smoking and eventually completely stopped on side of road. There were no warning lights or errors until issues started.it found have exploded or I could have been seriously injured as I was on expressway.
NHTSA complaint #11758195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on the highway at approximately 80–90 mph, the vehicle experienced an unexpected RPM increase as I came off the accelerator, an engine-misfire warning, sudden loss of power, and engine shutdown. I immediately pulled over. Smoke came from the engine compartment, engine oil had been expelled throughout the engine bay, and oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle became completely inoperable, creating a serious safety risk at highway speed. An independent Toyota Master Technician later documented catastrophic internal failure involving Cylinder No. 2. The piston and connecting-rod assembly were destroyed, the connecting rod contacted the engine block, a hole was present through the short block, extensive metal debris was found in the oil pan, piston material was crushed into the oil pan, an internal valvetrain component was also found there, and the engine was seized, limiting any teardown. The technician also observed material consistent with factory-applied FIPG/RTV sealant in the oil-pickup area and separate sealant-like material protruding into a head-gasket passage where it should not have been present. He stated that the location was consistent with excess sealant being applied during assembly and squeezed inward, supporting the possibility of a manufacturing-related defect. He stated that proper evaluation should have included measuring the amount of sealant and any obstruction, inspecting the oil pump, filter, bearings, oil-pan debris, and evaluating for restricted oil flow. Those measurements and results were not provided by the dealership or Toyota. Instead, I had to call law enforcement to receive a minimal repair order and my car at no cost from the dealership 8 months later. I am reporting this because excess factory sealant intruding into an oil-related or head-gasket passage could potentially restrict lubrication and create a serious safety concern if similar conditions exist in other vehicles, which have also been documented.
NHTSA complaint #11756932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine blew around May, what caused this issue would be unknown even though the dealership said it was excessive RTV on the oil pan, there was no RTV on the oil pan (i have a picture). I was driving on the highway and slowing down to take my exit, it happened around 25mph, car got stuck on 3rd gear if im not mistaken (its an automatic transmission by the way). Ended up with 3 holes in the engine block, a missing valve, oil all over the engine bay which caused the car to release white smoke through exhaust and hood.
NHTSA complaint #11756294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving on US Hwy 89 in Arizona when the engine lost power at 60mph and was unable to restart after pulling over to the shoulder of the highway. There were no warning lights or indicators whatsoever. When the vehicle came to a stop, the entire dashboard lit up and the engine cut out while the vehicle was still on. Mechanic diagnostic found a thrown bearing and total engine failure due to low oil. Refused warranty on account of taking the vehicle to an oil change outside the dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11750589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota GR86. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the engine blew up, causing the vehicle to stall, and there was a significant amount of smoke coming from underneath the hood. The message "Engine Misfire" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that engine oil had leaked out and spread underneath the hood, and the oil was leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it remained for 8 months, and the contact was informed that there was sludge in the oil due to lack of maintenance. The dealer sent diagnostic pictures to an unauthorized party, who forwarded the pictures to the contact. However, the contact stated that the engine oil color was amber, and there was no sludge. The contacted stated that the diagnostic pictures also displayed fragments of a piston and a lifter in the oil pan. The contact contacted the Police, who arrived at the dealer with the contact and forced the dealer to release the vehicle with the service reports. The contact stated that the dealer had previously refused to disclose the diagnostic information. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was returned to the owner the same month the warranty had expired. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied the warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 35,053.
NHTSA complaint #11744164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A defective set of spark plugs with certain model year 2023 Toyota GR86 to have premature failure. While driving at highway speed spark plug blew up resulting in a cylinder 4 misfire and loss of drivability. The service advisor from the Toyota dealership unofficially confirmed this has happened to multiple other gr86 models. Along with being unofficially confirmed by an aftermarket specialist. Original diagnostic from the dealership was to replace the motor due to all of the issues, while a local certified mechanic has replaced the spark plug, coil pack, and is continuing to troubleshoot as the head gasket also needs to be replaced. No warnings lights or signs were present prior to failure.
NHTSA complaint #11700627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11688386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Myself and others online have noticed unusual wear on fuel lines located in the engine bay. There are 3 fuel lines on the right side of the engine bay to the right of the intake manifold that can become chafed. Because these are fuel lines I find the fact that they have wear to be very concerning and a potential fire hazard
NHTSA complaint #11667270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2023 Toyota GR86 Sport vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 139 MPH for a couple of minutes, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was covered under warranty; however, the dealer informed the contact that the repair could not be covered under warranty because the engine failure occurred due to customer abuse. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with a maximum speed of 140 MPH. The contact was charged a repair fee, and the vehicle was traded for another vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #11666520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oil leak caused from poor/bad spark tube seals Fire Hazard: Oil leaks, especially from hot engine parts, can increase the risk of fire. Oil on the exhaust system or other components can ignite, causing a dangerous situation. Car was brought to dealership for a leak. Oil was found leaking from engine gasket cover from spark tube seals. Toyota only fixes the seals that are found cracked. ALL seals should be replaced as preventative measure. It is a known issue that these seals are bad from various forums. Subaru has a service bulletin SB22-168 related to spark plug pipe gasket leaks. (same engine as their Subaru BRZ)
NHTSA complaint #11642659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11623410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 INFORMAT
NHTSA complaint #11567491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11554919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11491034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11487353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11486755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.