The 2019 Toyota 86 shares the FA20 boxer engine with Subaru BRZ, and while it's a blast to drive, it inherited Subaru's weaknesses: valve spring failure, ringland failure under high RPM abuse, and a recall-worthy fuel pump issue that strands cars randomly.
Valve Spring Failure (FA20 Engine)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with misfire codes, Loss of power, rough idle, Metallic ticking noise from engine, Valve fragments in cylinder if spring breaks completely
Fix: Requires head removal to replace all valve springs and retainers. Most techs replace all springs preventively once one fails. 10-14 hours labor depending on how much head work is needed. If a valve dropped, you're looking at full head rebuild or replacement.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,500
Piston Ringland Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of compression in one cylinder, White or blue smoke from exhaust, Severe misfires, rough running, Metal debris in oil
Fix: The thin ringlands between piston ring grooves crack under high RPM abuse or aggressive tuning. Requires full engine rebuild or short block replacement. 18-25 hours labor. Common on cars that see track days or rev limiter abuse.
Estimated cost: $5,000-8,000
Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall)
Common · high severitySymptoms: Car stalls without warning while driving, Won't start, cranks but no fuel pressure, Intermittent loss of power, hesitation, No warning before failure in most cases
Fix: Low-pressure fuel pump inside tank fails due to manufacturing defect. Covered under NHTSA recall 20V-134, but many owners experienced failure before recall issued. Tank drop required, 2-3 hours labor. CHECK IF RECALL WAS COMPLETED.
Estimated cost: $0 if recall done, $800-1,200 if not
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting, especially 1st to 2nd, Increased shifter vibration, Drivetrain slop during throttle transitions
Fix: Rear transmission mount deteriorates, especially on cars driven hard. Easy fix, but requires lift access. 1.5-2 hours labor for replacement.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Transmission Oil Cooler Lines Leaking
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid spots under car near front, Low fluid level on dipstick, Burnt smell if fluid gets on exhaust, Shifting quality degrades if fluid runs low
Fix: Cooler lines develop leaks at crimped fittings or from road debris damage. Lines run along bottom of car. Replacement is straightforward but requires flush and fluid refill. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Throwout Bearing Noise
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Squealing or chirping when clutch pedal pressed, Noise goes away when pedal released, Gets worse in cold weather, No functional clutch issues initially
Fix: Throwout bearing wears prematurely on some units. Noise is annoying but bearing can last another 30k+ miles. Fix requires transmission removal. 6-8 hours labor plus clutch replacement while you're in there.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Buy one if the recall is done and it hasn't been heavily modded, but budget $1,500/year for the inevitable engine or transmission work — this is a driver's car with Subaru reliability.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.