Half of all complaints arrive by 2 years of age, so 38.5% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Engine, with 5 complaints, typically at 3.6 years.
Toyota 86 years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 9 | 9 | yes |
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 30.8% | covered | |
| 1 year | 46.2% | covered | |
| 2 years | 61.5% | covered | |
| 4 years | 69.2% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 92.3% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 61.5% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 38.5% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 38% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Toyota 86, the early trouble is Engine and Fuel/propulsion System — reported at around 3.6 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.6 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1.3 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1.5 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Steering | — | — | — | |
| Wheels | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts | 1 yrs | 1 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the 86's vehicle class.
| Same class as the 86 | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 287 | 1981–2026 | |
| Mini Cooper | 33 | 2002–2010 | |
| Toyota GR86 | 4 | 2022–2026 | |
| Subaru BRZ | 13 | 2013–2026 | |
| Fiat 500 | 33 | 2012–2019 | |
| Porsche 944 | 14 | 1981–1991 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota 86 reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1 against 3.73 for the average car.
When do 86 problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 2 years of age. The most reported system is Engine, typically at 3.6 years, followed by Fuel/propulsion System.
Will the warranty cover 86 problems?
Mostly yes: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and 61.5% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 38% of the complaints here.
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