Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the engine and exterior lights. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2022 Toyota GR86: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/1
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2022's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Toyota GR86. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 25 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Toyota GR86, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden engine failure from oil starvation is the dominant pattern. Many reports blame excess RTV silicone sealant at the oil pan, which breaks loose and clogs the oil pickup screen or pump. Symptoms include knocking, a late oil light or no warning at all, and abrupt loss of power in traffic. Some engines fail catastrophically, one with a hole in the casing. Several owners see silicone on the dipstick or in the filler tube before anything fails. One car caught fire at a stop around 6,700 miles, causing smoke inhalation. Dealers reportedly handle claims case by case.
Rear turn signals go dark when low sun shines directly on the back of the car, usually just after sunrise or before sunset. The dash and front indicators hyperflash while the rear lamps give zero light, so following drivers get no signal during turns or lane changes. Normal blinking returns once the lamp is shaded. Owners describe repeat dealer visits that do not fix it. A separate report covers a driver-side dome light whose circuit quits after the car sits in the sun.
Excerpts from complaints GR86 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
There are excess RTV silicone that can be seen from engine oil dip stick. Sign of having excess RTV that can cause damage to the enginer. Same issue happened to one of the GR86 enthusiast group member having excess RTV got mixed with the engine oil and it got stuck through the oil pick up strainer that cause to clogged and oil starvation and damage to the engine.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2022
These gr86’s are so commonly known for having excessive rtv sealant in the engine with the oil intake tubes becoming blocked up. I contacted Toyota about a solution, but there’s nothing. No recall. Everything is case by case. And if you track your car with the included track day when you buy the car the warranty can become null and void.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2022
The dome light on the driver side has failed. This is not due to a dead bulb, but instead the circuit area seems to die if the car sits in the sun. This has been confirmed by a dealer but I haven't yet scheduled an appointment to replace the electrical parts. There were no safety warnings.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
Turn signal issue, lights are hyper blinking when direct sunlight is shining on the back of the vehicle. Happens every single time sun is on the rear of the vehicle. turn signals don't work while sun is at rear of vehicle
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 has the most owner complaints of the 4 GR86 years we cover, about 4.2 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the first model year of the GR86's second generation (2022–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Toyota fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 BRZ and Toyota GR86 vehicles. The rear turn signals may intermittently become inoperative.
Risk: Inoperative rear turn signals may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rear combination lamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Subaru owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Subaru's number for this recall is WRM-23.
Cars shoppers compare with the Toyota GR86, with their own 2022 checklists.
2022 owner complaints, side by side
