1986-2025 Toyota Supra Problems: 25 Known Issues
1986-2025 model years · 1,760+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,760+ owner reports, the 1986-2025 Toyota Supra has 25 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Sequential Twin-Turbo System Failure (VSV/Actuator Faults, #1 Turbo Seal Wear) ($200-$3,500 repair), 7M Head Gasket Failure (BHG) from Under-Torqued Factory Head Bolts ($1,200-$3,500 repair), Fuel Pulsation Damper Leak on the Fuel Rail (Fire Hazard) ($60-$250 repair), ABS/TRAC Accumulator Pump and Actuator Failures (Early Cars) ($300-$1,500 repair), Chronic Overheating from Air-Pocket-Prone Cooling System and Aged Fan Clutch ($100-$900 repair) and Cam Position Sensor (CPS) Failure — No-Start / No-Spark ($150-$450 repair). The most commonly reported issue is B58 Engine Coolant Loss Without Visible Leak with 780 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $30 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Supra, 2022-2025 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2023 5 Series, 2022-2026 Z4, 2023-2024 4 Series Gran Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 4 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 2021-2025 X4, and 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.
SEAT BELTS
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."
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
ENGINE
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,760+ owner reports, the 1986-2025 Toyota Supra has 25 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Sequential Twin-Turbo System Failure (VSV/Actuator Faults, #1 Turbo Seal Wear), 7M Head Gasket Failure (BHG) from Under-Torqued Factory Head Bolts, Fuel Pulsation Damper Leak on the Fuel Rail (Fire Hazard). Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1986-2025 Toyota Supra has 25 known issues documented across 1,760+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Sequential Twin-Turbo System Failure (VSV/Actuator Faults, #1 Turbo Seal Wear) and 7M Head Gasket Failure (BHG) from Under-Torqued Factory Head Bolts and Fuel Pulsation Damper Leak on the Fuel Rail (Fire Hazard) and ABS/TRAC Accumulator Pump and Actuator Failures (Early Cars) and Chronic Overheating from Air-Pocket-Prone Cooling System and Aged Fan Clutch and Cam Position Sensor (CPS) Failure — No-Start / No-Spark. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Toyota Supra issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Sequential Twin-Turbo System Failure (VSV/Actuator Faults, #1 Turbo Seal Wear), typically costs $200-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Toyota Supra. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1986-2025 Toyota Supra with 25 documented issues documented across 1,760+ owner reports.
The 2JZ-GTE's factory sequential twin-turbo system relies on a network of vacuum switching valves (VSVs), pressure tank, and actuators (EGCV, IACV, exhaust gas bypass) to bring the second CT12B turbo online around 4,000 RPM. With age, VSVs fail, vacuum lines crack, and actuators… Repairs typically run $200-$3,500. Severity: high.
The defining flaw of the A70 Supra: Toyota's factory head-bolt torque spec of 58 ft-lb (78 N-m) on the 7M-GE and 7M-GTE was roughly 20-30 ft-lb too low, allowing the composite head gasket to lose clamp and fail prematurely under normal driving. Combustion gases push into the cool… Repairs typically run $1,200-$3,500. Severity: high.
The fuel pulsation damper mounted on the 7M-GTE fuel rail (Toyota P/N 23270-42010) commonly develops leaks as its diaphragm ages or as the adjustment screw on top backs out, dripping pressurized fuel onto the hot intake side of the engine. Owners report strong gas smells under th… Repairs typically run $60-$250. Severity: high.
1993.5-1996 Supras use a complex braking setup with a separate ABS actuator plus a TRAC (traction control) pump, nitrogen accumulator, and TRAC actuator. These hydraulic units are a notorious failure point on aging cars, causing a constantly running or noisy pump, illuminated ABS… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: high.
Beyond the head gasket itself, the 7M cooling system is unforgiving: it traps air pockets if not bled with the correct procedure, and 30-plus-year-old fan clutches, corroded radiators, and missing fan shrouds are common causes of creeping temperatures. Because the engine 'does no… Repairs typically run $100-$900. Severity: high.
The distributor-less 7M uses a dedicated cam position sensor to generate the G and NE signals the ECU needs for spark and injection, and after decades of heat-cycling the sensor's internal windings and its wiring become brittle, corroded, or open-circuit. A failed CPS produces a… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: high.
The BMW-sourced B58 inline-6 in the A90 Supra develops coolant loss without visible external leaks. The expansion tank cap and electric water pump are common culprits. In some cases, the charge air cooler (intercooler) develops internal micro-cracks allowing coolant into the inta… Repairs typically run $30-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The ZF 8HP51 automatic transmission exhibits rough or jerky shifts at low speeds, particularly 1st-to-2nd and 2nd-to-3rd gear changes during city driving. The mechatronic unit's valve body can develop wear causing harsh engagement. Cold weather worsens symptoms. Repairs typically run $0-$3,000. Severity: medium.
Turbo-model MK3s use a Progressive Power Steering rack with an ECU/speed-sensor-controlled solenoid that firms up assist at highway speed, and the system fails in two ways: erratic assist (steering randomly firming and softening from bad speed-sensor signals or wiring) and hydrau… Repairs typically run $200-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The A90 Supra's BMW-sourced B58 engine develops coolant leaks from the electric water pump and its associated hoses. The plastic water pump housing can crack, and the O-ring seals deteriorate. The issue is more common after 30,000-50,000 miles and during temperature extremes. Sin… Repairs typically run $500-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The 7M-GTE's stock Toyota CT26 turbo is now well past its design life on surviving cars: worn journal bearings produce shaft play, oil leaks past the seals into the compressor inlet and intercooler piping, and blue smoke appears under or just after boost. The 7M's stock PCV routi… Repairs typically run $400-$2,000. Severity: medium.
Turbo models with the Getrag V160 6-speed commonly develop worn synchronizer rings, with 3rd gear typically the first to grind during fast or cold shifts. The gearbox itself is extremely strong, but a worn or dragging clutch accelerates synchro wear, and V160 internal parts are r… Repairs typically run $1,500-$5,000. Severity: medium.
The original electrolytic capacitors in the MK3's engine ECU leak electrolyte with age, heat, and power cycles, and the spilled electrolyte etches the copper traces on the circuit board, eventually shorting or open-circuiting the ECU. Symptoms start as odd running behavior — roug… Repairs typically run $30-$350. Severity: medium.
Aging heater cores and their o-ring pipe connections leak coolant into the cabin, producing a sweet coolant smell, fogged windshield, and damp passenger-side carpet. The part itself is cheap, but on the MKIV the heater core sits behind the full dashboard, and owners widely descri… Repairs typically run $100-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The A90 Supra's rear differential overheats during track use or extended spirited driving, triggering the differential temperature warning and entering limp mode. The stock differential cooler is inadequate for track-day conditions. Even aggressive canyon driving in hot weather c… Repairs typically run $400-$1,000. Severity: medium.
The original radiator uses crimped plastic end tanks on an aluminum core, and after two-plus decades the plastic becomes brittle and develops hairline cracks, typically along the upper tank. Cracks often only open under pressure when the engine is hot, so the leak shows up as coo… Repairs typically run $200-$700. Severity: medium.
Automatic MKIVs use the Aisin A340E, whose relatively small lockup clutch is prone to shudder during partial and full lockup engagement, typically felt as a vibration at light-throttle cruise. The most common causes on these cars are aged or incorrect fluid — the TT A340E's flex-… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The original in-tank Denso fuel pump wears with age and mileage — brushes, commutator, and pump vanes degrade — so output drops below the pump's original rating. Flow testing documented on MKIV.com showed measurably reduced output from older stock pumps, and on turbo cars a tired… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: medium.
Early A90 Supras developed rear differential whine under acceleration, most noticeable at 30-60 mph. The electronically controlled limited-slip differential (eLSD) can produce a whining or humming sound from improper gear mesh or bearing preload. Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: low.
The gas struts supporting the MK3's large, heavy glass hatch lose pressure with age, leaving the hatch unable to stay open — a near-universal annoyance on surviving cars and a head-knock hazard while loading. Replacement is mechanically simple but access to the upper mounting nut… Repairs typically run $50-$150. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.