Best and worst Toyota Solara years — which to avoid

On the US market, Solara replaced the Celica coupe and it’s become one of the most beloved coupe cars on the used car market. However, not every model year qualified for being the most reliable model in the lineup, which is why our team wanted to give you a hand with a guide on the best models to get and the worst Toyota Solara years to avoid.

We’ll be discussing everything from NHTSA complaints and recalls, to first-hand driver reviews and ratings to explain the benefits and drawbacks of getting a used Solara.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Toyota Solara years

Our team rated the best and worst Toyota Solara years based on information and records from renowned automotive sites like NHTSA and IIHS. Our goal was to deliver factual information and details on Toyota Solara’s reliability and ratings by combining official records and unofficial impressions and experiences of past and present Solara owners.

That’s also why we explored Solara reviews on Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Consumer Reports, as well as jiggled through some forums looking for problems that other owners have faced.

Most common Toyota Solara problems

The Solara has been in production since 1998 and it lasted up to 2008 which was the final model year. During two generations, there have only been four recalls, making the Solara one of the most reliable cars on the used market. Even so, a car can’t go completely without some model-specific concerns during 10 production years.

1. Problems with faulty oxygen sensors

The matter of bad oxygen sensors may not seem as serious as engine or transmission issues, but it could be a bad sign for your Solara’s engine. So, before buying one, make sure to inspect the oxygen sensors and check if everything is in perfect order. Toyota Solara owners that dealt with the issue of bad oxygen sensors have reported sluggish acceleration, rough idling, and increased exhaust gases.

These sensors measure the amount of air exiting through the exhaust pipe and they submit information to the ECU. So, in case wrong information gets submitted, it could compromise the car’s combustion ratio and cause serious troubles with the engine firing cycle.

2. Ignition coil issues

Another common issue of the Toyota Solara can be recognized through the bad ignition coil symptoms. The ignition coil delivers power to the spark plugs and it enables the firing of the cylinder inside an engine. So, you must avoid having to deal with such an issue since it could lead to misfires or some cylinders staying unfired completely.

You could guess that this leads to reduced engine power output, but it also results in unpredictable acceleration at high speeds. Because of this, it’s a safety matter that needs to be resolved and this problem is mostly present in the first generation of Toyota Solara.

3. Oil thickness problems

A major issue that could affect the engine of the Solara is the oil thickness problem. Namely, the first-gen Toyota Solara equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine has problems with oil forming into sludge within the engine. This issue could lead to some serious consequences and prevent engine oil from doing its job.

So, if clean oil can’t flow through the oil lines inside the engine, it slowly leads to overheating and seizes the engine. There wasn’t an official recall to deal with this problem and Toyota assumed that some owners weren’t following the oil change periods recommended in the manual, which are extremely important for this model.

4. Rear suspension faults

Finally, there’s a problem with the rear suspension system and rear axle shafts that are prone to fractures and damage on this model. Because of this problem, it’s impossible to control the vehicle properly and the entire suspension frame may be damaged in the aftermath.

That’s why Toyota issued an official recall to deal with the problem and this problem deserves taking a closer look at before you decide to buy a Solara.

Worst Toyota Solara years to avoid

When going for a used Toyota Solara, you simply have to consider all the mentioned difficulties that model owners had previously and choose a model year accordingly. That’s why we wanted to briefly go over specific issues of the worst production years for this model, so the question is – what are the worst Toyota Solara years?

The worst Toyota Solara years are 2000 and 2004, but you should also avoid the following ones:

• 2000
• 2004
• 2006
• 2007

We’ll also explain why the mentioned model years were so much worse than others, and you’ll never have to think twice before moving away from them again.

First-generation Toyota Solara (2000 model year)

For the first-generation Solara, you should avoid the 2000 model year. It’s the worst model year based on driver complaints and the most common problem includes the oil thickness issue with the 3.0-liter V6. Besides, the first-gen Solara also had issues with ignition coils and oxygen sensors that were expressed in the 2000′ model year.

Some drivers have also reported problems with internal engine valves and ticking noises coming from the engine, although there are far fewer such reports.

Second-generation Toyota Solara (2004 and 2006-2007 model years)

The second generation of the Solara arguably looked a lot sportier and better overall, but it had a few more issues. The most problematic model year is 2004 that’s also considered the worst for this model, so you should avoid it without even considering it.

The 2006 and 2007 model years also faced problems with the seats, tires, rims, and accelerator pedal position, so it’s best to go for the 2005 or 2008 model.

What are the best Toyota Solara years to buy?

Don’t worry, our goal is not to prevent you from getting a Solara since it’s one of the most reliable Toyota cars of that period. Instead, we wanted to give you an overview of the worst model years, and now it’s time to recommend some of the best production years:

• 1999
• 2001
• 2003
• 2005

Out of these recommended model years, 1999 and 2001-2003 models are the most reliable based on driver complaints. The 2008 model is considered reliable, but it has some regular problems of the second generation, so it’s safer to go with the 2006 model which received fewer complaints.

Some models also have problems with melting dashboards and that’s normal for Toyota cars of that period. Our verdict says that the 1999 and 2003 models are the most reliable, so there’s a model for every driver to get without much additional maintenance regardless of your favorite Solara generation.

1999 Toyota Solara

It’s a rare sight to spot a model that had its initial production year listed as one of the best, but it’s the case with the Toyota Solara. The 1999 model was pretty well-made without any oil sludge issues, V6 engine faults, or transmission malfunctions.

It received by far the least complaints out of all the first-gen models and it’s actually the best one to go with if you are looking for an older used Solara with a fair market price.

2003 Toyota Solara

Like the 1999 model, the 2003 Solara had very few complaints and it was a well-rounded model to go with on the used car market. The car had excellent fuel economy, reliable engines, and a decent transmission without much jerking between the gear shifts.

The only reported issue with this one was the matter of seatbelt retention and airbags but it was only reported by a few drivers and there hasn’t been a single recall for the 2003 model, which is a testament to its quality and reliability as well.

Is the Toyota Solara worth buying?

Ultimately, Toyota Solara is worth buying and it’s one of the most reliable Toyota models of that time. There are reliable models in both generations, as well as some models that should be avoided and we hope that this guide helps with that.

Just make sure to get a 2.4-liter or 3.3-liter engine if getting the first-gen model isn’t a priority, so you can avoid getting oil thickness problems.

Our articles like Mini Cooper years to avoid, Toyota Matrix years to avoid, and Scion xB years to avoid break down the top and bottom years for each model. Explore the links to understand which years to target and which to steer clear of, making your decision process smoother.