Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and brakes. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021One recall on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2021 Toyota Supra: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/5
Engine off, key in hand0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
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 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Toyota Supra. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 28 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 25 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Excessive engine oil consumption
1,200–5,800 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Toyota Supra, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Several reports describe waiting on a recall repair that dealers cannot complete because the part is unavailable. While they wait, owners describe disconnecting the battery or parking outside to reduce fire risk. Separate reports describe the engine failing to restart after automatic shutoff with a "starter system fault" message, a low beam headlight that fails suddenly, and erratic throttle after a cold-start reverse on a slope. In that case the pedal does nothing at first, then the car surges. One filing reports an odometer discrepancy found on a history report.
Oil consumption at low mileage is the main pattern. Owners report needing to add a quart within the first few thousand miles, with oil warnings on the dash and dealers offering no fix beyond topping off. One car was put through a dealer oil consumption test. Some owners changed oil far earlier than the 10,000-mile interval to keep up. One report instead concerns a recall repair that has not been done, with the owner saying the remedy is still unavailable and Toyota refused a rental car.
Braking power drops off unexpectedly while slowing for stopped traffic. One report describes the anti-lock system engaging at low speed, the car skidding and failing to slow, and a rear-end crash in which the air bags did not deploy. Another describes the brake pedal suddenly losing assist with no warning lights, forcing the driver to swerve and press hard on the pedal. Both describe a real collision risk, and one of the 2 complaints involves a crash.
Loss of control at very low speed is the common thread. One report describes the driver's side tie rod breaking in half while backing out of a garage at 1 mph, with the dealer refusing warranty coverage and quoting a $5000+ repair. Another describes the wheel jerking side to side with uncommanded acceleration during a slow turn, following ongoing brake noise and a "STOP DRIVING" brake warning. Both carry a real risk of losing control.
Excerpts from complaints Supra owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Toyota Supra. The contact stated that after obtaining the vehicle's Carfax history report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 47,764, and after receiving Carfax history report, it was discovered that the mileage was 72,650.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
Passenger side low beam headlight suddenly stopped working on the highway. Symptoms same as Toyota recall 19TA20, however vehicle is not part of the recall campaign. Vehicle displayed error "Right low beam malfunction". Dealership is not willing to investigate under recall coverage.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
Unknown. Car is consuming a lot of oil in low mileage. Oil has been changed twice, once at 1200 miles, again at 2500 miles. Manual states oil change interval is 10,000 miles. Had an oil consumption warning at 7,xxx miles. Many other 2021 3.0 Supra owners are complaining of consumption issues
Filed with NHTSA, June 2022
Oil consumption of 1qt at 2800 miles and another one at 5800 miles. Warning message prompted at each time to add a quart. contacted dealer and tech. advised same thing with no further assistance.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2022
Drivers side tie rod has completely broken in half. This happened whilst just backing the car out of my garage and just starting down the drive at 1 mph. Had vehicle picked up and taken to the local dealer where I purchased the vehicle. Toyota refused to cover repair under warranty, saying I would have to pay for a $5000+ repair
Filed with NHTSA, July 2022
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 has the most owner complaints of the 5 Supra years we cover, about 3.5 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 2021 is the third model year of the Supra's fifth generation (2019–2023).
Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 14, 2025.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. A letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 27, 2026. Owners will receive another letter once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Z4 and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. The weld between the fuel tank halves may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail.
Risk: The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Cars shoppers compare with the Toyota Supra, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
