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.
Toyota GR86 engine failure problems
13 of the 47 owner complaints about the Toyota GR86 describe engine failure, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 13
- worst model year
- 2022
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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. Â
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Toyota GR86 engine failure
Which Toyota GR86 years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (7 complaints) and 2023 (6 complaints).
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