Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1986 Toyota MR2
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
220.0%
Median failure at 250,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
220.0%
Equipment & Accessories
110.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 250,000 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
110.0%
Median failure at 250,000 miles
Seat Belts
110.0%
Median failure at 250,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
110.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 250,000 mi
Suspension
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
110.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 1996peak 5Feb 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1986 Toyota MR2
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE87047Opened 18 Aug 1987Closed 10 Dec 1987ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:AFTER INVESTIGATION, TOYOTA CANFIND NO COMMON OR SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE 4 FIRES FROM A VEHICLE POPULATIONOF 77,034.WARRANTY CLAIMS ARE INCONCLUSIVE AND PARALLEL VEHICLE SALES.ANALYSIS:A REVIEW OF THE 2 COMPLAINTS ON THE 1986 MODEL MR2 SPORT COUPE(A RELATIVELY LOW PRODUCTION, SPECIAL INTEREST VEHICLE) DID NOT REVEAL APOTENTIALLY COMMON CAUSE.BOTH VEHICLES WERE OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THEFIRES.ONE FIRE WAS NOTICED BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES FAILEDAND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART, MOMENTS LATER SMOKE AND FLAMES ENGULFEDTHE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.THE OWN...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 250,000 milesDiamond BAR, CAFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I OWN AN 1986 TOYOTA MR2 WITH A 4 AGE ENGINE AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I APPROACHED A NEIGHBORHOOD INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE STARTED TO "REV" REALLY HIGH AND I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. I SAT AT THE INTERSECTION FOR A WHILE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. SO I STARTED TO JIGGLE THE LIMP GAS PEDAL. SOON AFTER I LOOKED IN THE ENGINE BAY AND HAD SEEN THAT A RUBBER PIECE WAS JAMMED UNDER THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THE PIECE OF RUBBER WAS A CAP TO PREVENT WATER FROM GOING INTO AND RUINING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. I DROVE HOME AND LATER ON WENT TO A SPECIALIST THAT TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE RUBBER PIECE FROM LETTING THAT HAPPEN TO ME. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION CAN HELP, MAYBE THE NEWER TOYOTAS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS WHEN I BROUGHT THE SAME VEHICLE TO GET IT SMOGED. ME AND MY MOM FINISHED AND LEFT TO GO HOME. WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF INTERSECTIONS I LOOKED BACK AND NOTICED SPARKS SHOOTING UP FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I TOLD MY MOTHER WHOM DIDN'T BELIEVE ME TO STOP. THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, THEN MY MOTHER AND I EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BAY BURST INTO FLAMES AND LUCKY THERE WAS A FIRE DEPARTMENT NEAR BY. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE HOOD PROP HAD FALLEN ONTO THE BATTERY WHICH SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICS AND CAUSED NEAR BY PLASTIC TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE REAR HOOD WAS RUINED, PAINT, WINDOW, WIREHARNESS, AND OTHER PIECES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE FLAME DIDN'T RUPTURE THE FUEL IN THE CAR. HE SHOWED THAT THE FLAME WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE PLACE YOU FILL YOUR CAR WITH GAS. THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND AN OFFICER WROTE UP A REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10307137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesDiamond BAR, CAFire
EQUIPMENT
I OWN AN 1986 TOYOTA MR2 WITH A 4 AGE ENGINE AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I APPROACHED A NEIGHBORHOOD INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE STARTED TO "REV" REALLY HIGH AND I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. I SAT AT THE INTERSECTION FOR A WHILE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. SO I STARTED TO JIGGLE THE LIMP GAS PEDAL. SOON AFTER I LOOKED IN THE ENGINE BAY AND HAD SEEN THAT A RUBBER PIECE WAS JAMMED UNDER THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THE PIECE OF RUBBER WAS A CAP TO PREVENT WATER FROM GOING INTO AND RUINING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. I DROVE HOME AND LATER ON WENT TO A SPECIALIST THAT TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE RUBBER PIECE FROM LETTING THAT HAPPEN TO ME. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION CAN HELP, MAYBE THE NEWER TOYOTAS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS WHEN I BROUGHT THE SAME VEHICLE TO GET IT SMOGED. ME AND MY MOM FINISHED AND LEFT TO GO HOME. WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF INTERSECTIONS I LOOKED BACK AND NOTICED SPARKS SHOOTING UP FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I TOLD MY MOTHER WHOM DIDN'T BELIEVE ME TO STOP. THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, THEN MY MOTHER AND I EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BAY BURST INTO FLAMES AND LUCKY THERE WAS A FIRE DEPARTMENT NEAR BY. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE HOOD PROP HAD FALLEN ONTO THE BATTERY WHICH SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICS AND CAUSED NEAR BY PLASTIC TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE REAR HOOD WAS RUINED, PAINT, WINDOW, WIREHARNESS, AND OTHER PIECES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE FLAME DIDN'T RUPTURE THE FUEL IN THE CAR. HE SHOWED THAT THE FLAME WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE PLACE YOU FILL YOUR CAR WITH GAS. THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND AN OFFICER WROTE UP A REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10307137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZCrash2 injured
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE ROLLED OVER IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #503975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 250,000 milesDiamond BAR, CA
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS ARE CONTROLLED FROM A PLASTIC PIECE WHICH MAKES CONTACT WITH DOOR. OUT OF ALL THREE MR2'S I OWN AND ONES THAT I'VE SEEN NONE OF THEM ARE INTACT. MAKING ALL THE SEAT BELTS USELESS. I'VE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM BY BUYING A FIVE POINT RACE HARNESS'. EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BREAKING. SO FAR I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF MY EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES. ALSO ALL NONE OF THE TRUCK LATCHES WORK. I'VE EVEN REPAIRED MY DAD'S FRIEND TOYOTA SIERRA VAN'S REAR SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM. THIS IS ALL BECAUSE THE CABLES BECOME LONGER AFTER USE.
NHTSA complaint #10307138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesDiamond BAR, CAFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I OWN AN 1986 TOYOTA MR2 WITH A 4 AGE ENGINE AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I APPROACHED A NEIGHBORHOOD INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE STARTED TO "REV" REALLY HIGH AND I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. I SAT AT THE INTERSECTION FOR A WHILE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. SO I STARTED TO JIGGLE THE LIMP GAS PEDAL. SOON AFTER I LOOKED IN THE ENGINE BAY AND HAD SEEN THAT A RUBBER PIECE WAS JAMMED UNDER THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THE PIECE OF RUBBER WAS A CAP TO PREVENT WATER FROM GOING INTO AND RUINING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. I DROVE HOME AND LATER ON WENT TO A SPECIALIST THAT TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE RUBBER PIECE FROM LETTING THAT HAPPEN TO ME. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION CAN HELP, MAYBE THE NEWER TOYOTAS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS WHEN I BROUGHT THE SAME VEHICLE TO GET IT SMOGED. ME AND MY MOM FINISHED AND LEFT TO GO HOME. WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF INTERSECTIONS I LOOKED BACK AND NOTICED SPARKS SHOOTING UP FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I TOLD MY MOTHER WHOM DIDN'T BELIEVE ME TO STOP. THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, THEN MY MOTHER AND I EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BAY BURST INTO FLAMES AND LUCKY THERE WAS A FIRE DEPARTMENT NEAR BY. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE HOOD PROP HAD FALLEN ONTO THE BATTERY WHICH SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICS AND CAUSED NEAR BY PLASTIC TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE REAR HOOD WAS RUINED, PAINT, WINDOW, WIREHARNESS, AND OTHER PIECES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE FLAME DIDN'T RUPTURE THE FUEL IN THE CAR. HE SHOWED THAT THE FLAME WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE PLACE YOU FILL YOUR CAR WITH GAS. THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND AN OFFICER WROTE UP A REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10307137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesDiamond BAR, CA
PARKING BRAKE
SEAT BELTS ARE CONTROLLED FROM A PLASTIC PIECE WHICH MAKES CONTACT WITH DOOR. OUT OF ALL THREE MR2'S I OWN AND ONES THAT I'VE SEEN NONE OF THEM ARE INTACT. MAKING ALL THE SEAT BELTS USELESS. I'VE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM BY BUYING A FIVE POINT RACE HARNESS'. EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BREAKING. SO FAR I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF MY EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES. ALSO ALL NONE OF THE TRUCK LATCHES WORK. I'VE EVEN REPAIRED MY DAD'S FRIEND TOYOTA SIERRA VAN'S REAR SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM. THIS IS ALL BECAUSE THE CABLES BECOME LONGER AFTER USE.
NHTSA complaint #10307138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesDiamond BAR, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SEAT BELTS ARE CONTROLLED FROM A PLASTIC PIECE WHICH MAKES CONTACT WITH DOOR. OUT OF ALL THREE MR2'S I OWN AND ONES THAT I'VE SEEN NONE OF THEM ARE INTACT. MAKING ALL THE SEAT BELTS USELESS. I'VE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM BY BUYING A FIVE POINT RACE HARNESS'. EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BREAKING. SO FAR I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF MY EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES. ALSO ALL NONE OF THE TRUCK LATCHES WORK. I'VE EVEN REPAIRED MY DAD'S FRIEND TOYOTA SIERRA VAN'S REAR SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM. THIS IS ALL BECAUSE THE CABLES BECOME LONGER AFTER USE.
NHTSA complaint #10307138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesDiamond BAR, CAFire
EQUIPMENT
I OWN AN 1986 TOYOTA MR2 WITH A 4 AGE ENGINE AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I APPROACHED A NEIGHBORHOOD INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE STARTED TO "REV" REALLY HIGH AND I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. I SAT AT THE INTERSECTION FOR A WHILE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. SO I STARTED TO JIGGLE THE LIMP GAS PEDAL. SOON AFTER I LOOKED IN THE ENGINE BAY AND HAD SEEN THAT A RUBBER PIECE WAS JAMMED UNDER THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THE PIECE OF RUBBER WAS A CAP TO PREVENT WATER FROM GOING INTO AND RUINING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. I DROVE HOME AND LATER ON WENT TO A SPECIALIST THAT TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE RUBBER PIECE FROM LETTING THAT HAPPEN TO ME. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION CAN HELP, MAYBE THE NEWER TOYOTAS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS WHEN I BROUGHT THE SAME VEHICLE TO GET IT SMOGED. ME AND MY MOM FINISHED AND LEFT TO GO HOME. WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF INTERSECTIONS I LOOKED BACK AND NOTICED SPARKS SHOOTING UP FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I TOLD MY MOTHER WHOM DIDN'T BELIEVE ME TO STOP. THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, THEN MY MOTHER AND I EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BAY BURST INTO FLAMES AND LUCKY THERE WAS A FIRE DEPARTMENT NEAR BY. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE HOOD PROP HAD FALLEN ONTO THE BATTERY WHICH SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICS AND CAUSED NEAR BY PLASTIC TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE REAR HOOD WAS RUINED, PAINT, WINDOW, WIREHARNESS, AND OTHER PIECES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE FLAME DIDN'T RUPTURE THE FUEL IN THE CAR. HE SHOWED THAT THE FLAME WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE PLACE YOU FILL YOUR CAR WITH GAS. THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND AN OFFICER WROTE UP A REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10307137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westminster, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE FLANGE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HEAT SHIELD IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE OUTLET END OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE FLANGE HAS WORN THROUGH THE OIL PAN, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #834383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oberlin, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PARKING BRAKE FREEZES IN LOCKED POSITION EVERYTIME THE WEATHER GETS BELOW FREEZING, ALSO TRANSMISSION GEARS GRIND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT AT RPM OVER 4000.
NHTSA complaint #509811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oberlin, OH
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FREEZES IN LOCKED POSITION EVERYTIME THE WEATHER GETS BELOW FREEZING, ALSO TRANSMISSION GEARS GRIND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT AT RPM OVER 4000.
NHTSA complaint #509811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZCrash2 injured
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE ROLLED OVER IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #503975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE OUTLET END OF THE EXHUAST PIPE FLANG WEARS THROUGH, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK RECALL #93E021001.
NHTSA complaint #985505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.