Toyota GR86 years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Toyota GR86 years

The 2022 Toyota GR86 is rated the worst model year by CarComplaints, which ranks years on repair cost and average mileage when problems occur (its PainRank system). That verdict lines up with raw complaint volume as well: NHTSA complaint data shows the 2022 model year generated 21 complaints, the highest of any GR86 model year.

These are two different measurements. CarComplaints ranks the worst year by repair cost and mileage-at-failure (PainRank), while NHTSA shows raw owner-reported complaint volume. For the GR86, both metrics point to the same year - 2022 - which reinforces the signal. Sources used include NHTSA complaints and recalls, CarComplaints, owner discussions on the GR86 owner forum at gr86.org, and the years-to-avoid methodology used throughout this site.

Every Toyota GR86 model year ranked

There are two Toyota-badged U.S. generations of this rear-wheel-drive coupe: the first-generation Toyota 86, sold for the 2017-2020 model years, and the second-generation Toyota GR86, introduced for 2022 and continuing through the announced 2027 model year. Toyota's U.S. archive does not list a regular 2021 Toyota 86 or GR86 page, so 2021 should be treated as an archive gap rather than a normal U.S. model year. The "GR86" nameplate applies only to the 2022-and-later cars; the 2017-2020 Toyota 86 (and its predecessor, the Scion FR-S) is a separate, earlier model and is assessed differently by used-car buyers today.

Most common Toyota GR86 problems

The single most serious issue affecting the GR86 is a defect in the FA24 engine's valve springs: improperly manufactured springs can fracture, causing engine misfires, rough running, and potential engine stalling while driving. Engine-related failures dominate the complaint record across all model years.

1. FA24 valve spring fracture (recall 22V-879)

Some early 2022-2023 models were recalled for defective valve springs that could fracture, causing misfires and engine stalling. The springs were manufactured out of specification at the Subaru plant, which builds the FA24 engine shared with the Subaru BRZ. When a spring fractures, it can drop into the combustion chamber and cause rapid, catastrophic internal engine damage.

This failure is covered under recall 22V-879 (Toyota's designation). Contact a Toyota dealer to check VIN eligibility; the repair involves replacing all 16 intake and exhaust valve springs at no cost. The valve spring issue is the most commonly reported failure across the GR86 owner community, with approximately 1,800 owner reports documented. If your VIN has not had this recall completed, get it done before driving the car hard - a fractured valve spring can cause catastrophic engine damage.

Buyer takeaway: Confirm recall 22V-879 is closed on any 2022-2023 GR86 before purchase. Dealer service records showing the spring replacement are the clearest proof.

2. RTV sealant clogging the oil pickup (FA24 engine failure)

Excess RTV silicone sealant used between the oil pan and engine block at the Subaru factory dislodges over time, mixes with engine oil, and clogs the oil pickup screen, causing oil starvation that spins rod and main bearings or seizes the engine. This failure concentrates in 2022-2023 production cars and has drawn significant attention on the GR86 owner forum.

Failures have been documented as early as 5,000 to 14,000 miles, with no warning before catastrophic loss of oil pressure. Repair costs for this failure have been estimated at $8,000 to $12,000. Unlike the valve spring issue, there is no formal NHTSA recall covering the RTV sealant problem as of this writing; Toyota has handled some cases under warranty on a case-by-case basis.

Buyer takeaway: On any used 2022-2023 GR86, ask a mechanic familiar with the FA24 to check oil condition and inspect the oil pickup area, particularly if the car has any track or autocross history. Metal shavings in the oil are a red flag that warrants rejection of the car.

3. Oil pressure drop during sustained cornering (track/autocross)

A separate but related issue is oil pressure drop during sustained right-hand cornering, primarily affecting cars driven in track or autocross conditions, with repair costs ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 depending on damage severity. The FA24's stock oil system was not designed with sustained high-lateral-load events in mind. Oil sloshes away from the pickup under hard cornering, starving the engine momentarily. The GR86 owner community recommends keeping oil topped off; for frequent track use, overfilling slightly and adding an oil cooler and/or larger oil pan are common mitigations.

Buyer takeaway: Ask the seller directly whether the car has seen track or autocross use. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a compression and oil-pressure test is money well spent on any GR86 with sport-driving history.

4. Rear turn signal intermittent failure (recall 23V-609)

On some 2022 GR86 vehicles, undersized capacitors in the rear combination lamp assemblies allow electromagnetic interference generated by sunlight or other strong light to cause voltage drops; the vehicle interprets the drop as a bulb failure and disables the rear turn signals until voltage recovers. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-609, covering approximately 5,700 2022 GR86 vehicles built from early November 2021 through late April 2022.

The free recall remedy under 23V-609 has dealers replace both rear combination lamp assemblies with units containing larger turn-signal capacitors. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. This recall is free regardless of mileage or ownership status.

Buyer takeaway: Confirm 23V-609 is completed on any 2022 GR86, especially early-production examples. A quick VIN check at NHTSA.gov takes under a minute.

5. Infotainment dropouts and CarPlay/Android Auto disconnects

On 2022-2024 GR86 models, owners report the 8-inch head unit dropping CarPlay and Android Auto every 15 seconds to several minutes, sometimes immediately on startup; the infotainment system may also freeze for 60 or more seconds after ignition. This appears to be a software issue rather than a hardware failure and has not prompted a formal safety recall.

The problem is frustrating but not dangerous, and many owners report improvement after a software update from the dealer. NHTSA complaint volume for this and related exterior lighting issues concentrates most heavily in the 2022 model year.

Buyer takeaway: Before buying a 2022-2024 GR86, connect a phone to CarPlay or Android Auto on the test drive and leave it running for at least 10 minutes to check for disconnects.

6. Engine-area complaints (fuel/propulsion system)

Across all GR86 model years in NHTSA complaint data, engine issues account for 14 complaints, and fuel/propulsion system problems account for 7 complaints. These are the top two reported categories and overlap with the valve spring and RTV issues described above. Engine complaints total 18 (the highest of any component in one data set), and fuel/propulsion system complaints number 8, the second most common.

Most of these complaints tie back to the 2022 launch-year cars. By the time the 2023 GR86 rolled out, Toyota had addressed early engine issues, and CarComplaints and NHTSA data point to far fewer engine-related issues in the 2023 model year than in 2022.

Buyer takeaway: A 2024 or 2025 GR86 carries meaningfully fewer powertrain complaints than the launch year, making it the lower-risk pick for a used purchase.

Which Toyota GR86 years should you avoid

The Toyota GR86 year to avoid is 2022. CarComplaints rates the 2022 Toyota GR86 as the worst model year based on repair cost and average mileage when problems occur, and the 2022 model year accounts for 21 of the 38 total NHTSA GR86 complaints on record - the highest complaint volume of any GR86 year. No other model year comes close on either metric.

**Worst Toyota GR86 years:** 2022

2nd-generation Toyota GR86 (2022-present)

Toyota launched the second-generation GR86 for the 2022 model year, equipping it with Subaru's 2.4-liter FA24 boxer engine, which makes 228 horsepower. The launch year was the most problematic. There are 1 recall and 21 owner NHTSA complaints on file for the 2022 GR86, including 1 crash-related complaint and 1 fire-related complaint; the most commonly reported problem areas are engine (11 complaints), exterior lighting (4 complaints), and unknown/other (3 complaints).

The 2023 model year saw a meaningful improvement. The 2023 GR86 carries a "Good" reliability rating with 1 recall and 9 owner NHTSA complaints. Engine complaints fell from 11 to 3, and the turn-signal capacitor recall (23V-609) does not apply to 2023 production. The valve spring recall 22V-879 may still affect early 2023 production, so VIN verification remains essential on that year as well.

What are the best Toyota GR86 years to buy

The best Toyota GR86 years to buy are 2024 and 2025, which show the fewest complaints and the most refined production quality across all model years with available data.

**Most reliable Toyota GR86 years:** 2024, 2025

2024 Toyota GR86

The 2024 Toyota GR86 has good reliability, with 1 recall and 3 NHTSA owner complaints on file; the most commonly reported problem areas are fuel propulsion system (2 complaints) and engine (1 complaint). The single recall affecting the 2024 is an equipment and labeling campaign tied to Gulf States Toyota distribution, not a powertrain defect. Toyota overall carries a RepairPal brand reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking 8th out of 32 car brands.

2025 Toyota GR86

The 2025 Toyota GR86 has good reliability, with 0 recalls and 3 NHTSA owner complaints on file; the most commonly reported problem areas are fuel propulsion system (2 complaints) and lane departure (1 complaint). Neither category represents a recurring powertrain defect. The 2025 is the cleanest year in the GR86's short production history on both recall count and complaint volume.

Toyota GR86 pre-purchase checklist

Before signing on a used GR86, run through these model-specific checks:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker. Confirm recall 22V-879 (valve springs, affects early 2022-2023 production) and recall 23V-609 (rear turn signals, affects early 2022 production) are both closed on your specific VIN. Open recalls are free to fix at any Toyota dealer.
• On any 2022-2023 car, ask about the oil pickup. Have a mechanic familiar with the FA24 drop the oil pan or at minimum inspect oil condition for metallic debris. Excess RTV sealant from the factory can dislodge, clog the oil pickup screen, and cause oil starvation; failures have been documented as early as 5,000 to 14,000 miles.
• Ask directly about track or autocross use. Cars that have seen track use will have had more stress on their engines, brakes, and suspension systems. A soft brake pedal or pulling under heavy braking can indicate worn brake hardware from repeated track sessions.
• Test CarPlay/Android Auto on the test drive. Connect a phone and leave it running for at least 10 minutes on a 2022-2024 car to check for infotainment dropouts before you buy.
• Check valve spring recall paperwork. Ask the seller for dealer service records showing the 22V-879 valve spring replacement was performed. If records are missing, verify through Toyota's owner portal using the VIN before committing.
• Request full oil-change records. Confirm oil changes were performed on schedule (Toyota recommends every 5,000-10,000 miles depending on driving style). One NHTSA complaint describes a GR86 engine losing power at highway speeds with no warning lights, followed by a thrown bearing and total engine failure attributed to low oil. Regular oil changes and keeping the level topped off are the primary defenses against oil-starvation damage.
• Verify the rear turn signal operation. On a 2022 model, confirm the rear turn signals activate reliably in daylight conditions; intermittent failure in bright sunlight was the trigger for recall 23V-609.

Better alternatives to consider

If the GR86 years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Subaru BRZ - the mechanical twin to the GR86 sharing the same FA24 engine and platform, with its own year-by-year reliability record worth checking before you buy; sports-car buyers cross-shopping it against other coupes often look at Ford Mustang years to avoid as part of the same search

• Mazda MX-5 Miata - a lighter, simpler RWD sports car with a longer production run, more model years to choose from, and a strong long-term reliability track record

• Lexus IS 350 - a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan in a similar enthusiast bracket, with the benefit of Toyota/Lexus powertrain durability and broader used-market availability

Is the Toyota GR86 worth buying

Yes, the Toyota GR86 is worth buying as long as you steer clear of the 2022 model year or inspect any 2022 very carefully before purchase. Toyota addressed the early engine issues by the time the 2023 GR86 rolled out, and the 2024 and 2025 cars have the thinnest complaint records in the model's short history. It's a car that can be driven hard and enjoyed repeatedly, and it's reliable, easy to live with day to day, and affordable to maintain. Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database and verify the full maintenance history before any purchase, and the GR86 is one of the better enthusiast-car buys under $35,000 in today's used market.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Toyota GR86 years to buy?

The best Toyota GR86 years to buy are 2024 and 2025. The 2024 GR86 carries only 3 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 equipment-label recall, while the 2025 GR86 has 0 recalls and 3 NHTSA owner complaints on record, making it the cleanest year in the lineup. Both years are past the valve spring and RTV sealant issues that defined the launch-year cars.

What are the worst years for the Toyota GR86?

The worst year for the Toyota GR86 is 2022. CarComplaints rates the 2022 GR86 as the worst model year based on repair cost and average mileage when problems occur, and the 2022 model year has 21 NHTSA complaints, primarily engine and fuel system related, making it the highest-complaint year in the GR86's production history.

Which year Toyota GR86 is most reliable?

The 2025 Toyota GR86 is the most reliable pick in the current lineup. The 2025 GR86 has good reliability, with 0 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file - the lowest recall count of any GR86 year with complaint data available. For buyers on a tighter budget, the 2024 is a close second.

What year Toyota GR86 has valve spring problems?

Early 2022 and 2023 Toyota GR86 production runs are affected by the valve spring defect: improperly manufactured springs can fracture, causing engine misfires, rough running, and potential stalling, covered under recall 22V-879. The repair involves replacing all 16 intake and exhaust valve springs at no cost at any Toyota dealer. Always verify through the NHTSA VIN checker that this recall has been completed on any 2022 or early 2023 GR86 you are considering.

How long does a Toyota GR86 last?

The GR86 is too new a nameplate for large-scale longevity data, but its predecessor platform (the Toyota 86 / Scion FR-S) routinely reached 150,000 miles or more with proper maintenance. The GR86 is one of the lightest and most reliable performance cars in its price range, and its brake pads, tires, and general upkeep requirements are more approachable than those of heavier, higher-powered sports cars. Keeping oil at the correct level, performing changes on schedule, and addressing any open recalls promptly are the keys to long GR86 life.