The Toyota 86 Years To Avoid
Toyota 86 by Vauxford - CC-BY-SA-4.0
The allure of sports cars has always been undeniable. Their sleek designs, powerful engines, and thrilling speed make any car enthusiast’s heart race. Unfortunately, sports cars generally have a high price tag attached to them.
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of affordable sports available in the market.
When it comes to affordable sports cars like the Mazda Miata, the appeal extends beyond just the adrenaline rush. These vehicles offer a striking balance of performance, fun driving dynamics, and affordability, making them a favorite among many. Despite their lower price tag, these vehicles often come equipped with refined engines and advanced driving technologies – enough to make even the most jaded enthusiasts smile in delight.
With that said, one of the most noteworthy entries into the world of affordable sports cars is the Toyota 86. This rear-wheel-drive coupe debuted in 2012 and is a collaborative effort between Toyota and Subaru. It captured the hearts of many driving enthusiasts due to its balanced handling, responsive steering, and driver-focused cockpit reminiscent of classic sports cars.
But is it a reliable vehicle?
Today, we highlight the worst Toyota 86 years to avoid and offer some insights into why they should be avoided. Let’s get to it.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE TOYOTA 86
Beyond its sporty profile, the 86 has also earned a reputation for reliability. We walk you through the recent lineup of this sporty coupe and determine the most reliable Toyota 86 year.
For today’s post, we walk you through the recent lineup of this sporty coupe and determine the most reliable Toyota 86 year.
What is the Toyota 86?
The Toyota 86, a compact sports car introduced in 2012, is a product of a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. Known for its affordability and impressive performance, it has managed to pave the way for itself and compete with segment leaders like the Mazda Miata.
This 2+2 seater sports car is praised for its sharp handling, responsive steering, and driver-focused design. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque when paired with a manual transmission – with an automatic transmission variant also available.
The Toyota 86’s defining feature is its rear-wheel-drive layout, which proved to be a hit among driving purists. This and the car’s lightweight design and low center of gravity contribute to its agile handling and enjoyable driving dynamics.
In terms of design, the Toyota 86 sports a sleek and aerodynamic profile, with a driver-focused cockpit featuring sporty seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and various tech features. With Toyota’s penchant for reliability, the 86 has proven itself to be a reliable, compact sports car.
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Which Toyota 86 Years To Avoid?
iSeeCars ranks Toyota the most reliable car brand, with 2.3% of Toyota models sold reaching at least 200,000 miles. This ranking is based on the longevity of over 12 million vehicles, which is a testament to their reliability. Thankfully, the 86 has greatly benefited from Toyota’s reliability chops, and it only has one model year to be avoided (so far).
2019 Toyota 86
The Toyota 86 is a relatively new lineup by the Japanese automaker. As such, information about its reliability and common problems is scarce. However, based on our research, the 2019 model has the most number of issues and complaints compared to other model years. As such, the 2019 version is one of the Toyota 86 years to avoid for used car buyers.
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User Complaints and Feedback
In all honesty, the 2019 86 is a highly reliable vehicle which is not surprising considering Toyota’s track record for reliability. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2019 Toyota 86 has only six complaints and one recall.
There were complaints about the electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system, service brakes, and vehicle speed control. However, it’s worth noting that these are just a few complaints, and nothing indicates they’re widespread issues. Below are a few summaries of complaints and feedback for this vehicle:
- An owner first noticed an issue when the dashboard lights began to flicker, followed by water leaking from the dash. Then, they took the car to a Toyota dealership for an inspection. Despite the clear signs of a problem, the dealership assured them there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. However, a month and a half later, a serious incident occurred. The car caught fire due to an electrical issue behind the steering wheel.
- The owner of a 2019 Toyota 86 was driving at a speed of 45 mph when they collided with another vehicle. In an alarming turn of events, the driver’s and passenger’s seat belts were released upon impact without any prior warning. As a result of the collision, the driver sustained burns and injuries to their wrist. Meanwhile, the passengers suffered from chest and head injuries.
- A Reddit user reported no issues with their 2019 86 after 15,000 miles, except for one instance where the fuel pump got stuck, but the problem did not happen again. Another user also commented that the 2016+ 86 models are considered the most reliable.
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Potential Reliability Issues
CARHP outlined the specific problems that may arise with the 2019 Toyota 86. Although these issues have yet to be prevalent, it is anticipated that a larger number of individuals may encounter similar reliability concerns, particularly since this model is relatively new.
- Engine and Mechanical Complaints: Some owners have reported unsteady engine revs in neutral due to the wrong encoding of the ECU. This has led to rough idling and engine misfires.
- Fuel/Propulsion System: There have been reports of the fuel pump unexpectedly failing, which could potentially cause the engine to stall while driving and increase the risk of a collision.
- Service Brakes: Front brake pads on the 2019 Toyota 86 have been reported to deteriorate over time, more so than the rear brake pads.
- Safety Complaints: There have been instances where the driver and passenger seat belts were released without warning upon impact during a collision. This has resulted in injuries to both the driver and the passenger.
- Dashboard Electrical System: Some owners have reported issues with the dashboard lights flickering and water dripping from the dash onto their feet. In one case, an electrical issue behind the steering wheel led to a fire.
While the 2019 model is one of the Toyota 86 years to avoid, it still offers a pretty good predicted reliability rating. But as you can see, it has a few areas of concern used car buyers should take note of.
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