The Toyota 86 spans 2017–2020 with 5 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2019, 2017, 2020 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2018, 2020, 2017. It delivers up to 27 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Toyota 86 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2017 to 2020 across multiple generations.
How to read a Toyota 86 VIN — every digit explained
Every Toyota 86 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Toyota and the country it was built in (real Toyota codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 86.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- JapanJT2 · JT3 · JT4 · JT5 · JT6 · JT8
- USA4T1 · 4T3 · 4T4 · 58A · 5TB · 5TD
- Canada2T1 · 2T2 · 2T3
- Mexico3TM · 3TY
- TurkeyNMT
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 86, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Toyota 86 have?
The Toyota 86 has 5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2017–2020. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2019 Toyota 86 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
2018 Toyota 86 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
2017 Toyota 86 recalls 2
Electrical System:ignition
What's wrong. Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2017 Toyota 86 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016 through August 11, 2016 equipped with an automatic transmission and ignition key. Vehicles with a push-to-start button or manual transmission are not affected. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible to remove the ignition key without the transmission being in the "Park" position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk. If the key can be removed from the ignition when the transmission is not in the "Park" position, the vehicle could roll away increasing the risk of a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition key/transmission interlock wiring connections, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0E.
Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
What's wrong. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Risk. A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
Best and worst years for the Toyota 86
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 2019, 2017, 2020 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2018, 2020, 2017.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 86 | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2018 86 | Steering | Best | |
| 2019 86 | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2020 86 | Engine | Avoid |
What are the most common Toyota 86 problems?
The most-reported Toyota 86 problems are Engine (5 reports), Wheels (1 reports) and Air Bags (1 reports) — out of 14 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Toyota 86 specifications & dimensions
The 2020 Toyota 86 measures 167″ long on a 101″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,758 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Toyota 86 window sticker.
| Wheelbase | 101″ (257 cm) |
| Rear track | 61″ |
| Body / trim | 86 2dr Coupe |
| Curb weight | 2,758 lb (1251 kg) |
| Front track | 60″ |
| Overall width | 70″ (178 cm) |
| Overall height | 51″ (129 cm) |
| Overall length | 167″ (424 cm) |
| Weight distribution (front/rear) | 55/45% |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Toyota 86 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 86 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 77 cu ft of passenger volume and 7 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Toyota 86 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Toyota 86 get?
The Toyota 86 returns up to 27 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2020 Toyota 86 (2L 4-cyl) gets 27 mpg combined and costs about $2,850/yr to fuel, emitting 328 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 1/10) — about $3,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 86 | 24 | 32 | $2,850 | 328 | 1/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 86 | 24 | 32 | $2,850 | 328 | 1/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 86 | 24 | 32 | $2,850 | 328 | 1/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 86 | 24 | 32 | $2,850 | 328 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 86 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 86's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Toyota 86 have? Power & range
The Toyota 86 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Toyota 86 cost to own?
A used Toyota 86 sells for a median of about $22,000 for a 2020 — most listed between $22,000 and $25,000, from 15 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 86 | $22,000–$25,000 | 3 | |
| 2017 86 | $12,900–$19,995 | 12 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a 86 is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Toyota 86 holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 86 loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $14,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 86 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Toyota 86 to insure?
A Toyota 86 costs about $2,003 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 39% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (139, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the 86's HLDI loss index. See Toyota insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Toyota 86 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 86 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Toyota 86 last?
A well-maintained Toyota 86 typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Toyota 86’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 86’s VIN free →All Toyota 86 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Toyota 86 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 86 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2019 86 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2018 86 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2017 86 | 2 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 86?
By owner-complaint volume, 2019, 2017, 2020 drew the most reports. 2018, 2020, 2017 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 86 have?
5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2017–2020. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the 86 get?
Up to 27 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 86 last?
A well-maintained 86 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 86 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 86 is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Toyota 86 warranty?
New Toyota models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Toyota dealer.
Where is the Toyota 86 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 86's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Toyota may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a 86 weigh?
The 86's curb weight is around 2,758 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the 86 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.