The 2017 Toyota 86 is mechanically a Subaru BRZ twin, sharing the FA20 boxer engine that's generally solid but plagued by one catastrophic defect: the RTV silicone issue causing oil starvation and spun bearings. Otherwise, it's a simple, reliable sports car with minimal electronics to fail.
FA20 Engine RTV Silicone Contamination & Oil Starvation (Spun Rod Bearings)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Metallic knocking or rattling from engine at idle, worse when warm, Low oil pressure warning light, especially during hard cornering or aggressive driving, Metal shavings or glitter in oil during changes, Catastrophic engine failure — sudden loss of power, seized engine
Fix: Factory assembly left excess RTV sealant that breaks loose and clogs the oil pickup screen, starving the crank bearings. Once bearings spin, you need either a full engine rebuild (16-24 hours labor: disassembly, machine work, new bearings, rings, gaskets, timing components) or short block replacement (12-16 hours). Many owners opt for upgraded aftermarket bearings and have the pickup screen cleaned preventatively.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000
Valve Spring Recall & Potential Valve Failures (Beyond Recall Scope)
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: Misfires, rough idle, or single-cylinder misfire codes, Ticking or tapping noise from valve train, Check engine light with P0300-P0304 codes, Loss of compression on one or more cylinders
Fix: Subaru issued recalls for defective valve springs, but failures still occur outside recall VINs or after spirited driving/high RPM use. Requires cylinder head removal, valve job, new springs and seals (14-18 hours labor for both heads if doing it right). If a valve drops, you're looking at full head rebuild or replacement plus potential piston damage.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line & Fitting Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid spots under car near front crossmember, Burnt smell after highway driving, Low transmission fluid level on dipstick, Slipping or delayed shifts if fluid gets critically low
Fix: The quick-connect fittings on the trans cooler lines crack or O-rings fail. Lines run along the subframe and are exposed to road debris. Replacement involves new cooler lines and sometimes the cooler itself if internal corrosion is present (2-3 hours labor). Flush and refill trans fluid after repair.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Transmission Mount Failure (Manual & Auto)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting or engaging clutch (manual), Excessive drivetrain movement felt through shifter or floorboard, Vibration at idle that changes when put in gear, Visible torn rubber or separation on mount during inspection
Fix: The rear transmission mount tears from engine torque and spirited driving. Simple replacement job (1-1.5 hours labor), but many enthusiasts upgrade to polyurethane mounts for longevity. OEM rubber is cheap but doesn't last. Expect some additional NVH with poly mounts.
Estimated cost: $200-400
Throwout Bearing Noise (Manual Transmission)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Chirping, squealing, or grinding noise when clutch pedal is depressed, Noise disappears when pedal is released, Worsens in cold weather, No effect on clutch operation initially
Fix: The throwout bearing wears and gets noisy, though it can last a long time before actual failure. Since you're dropping the transmission anyway (6-8 hours labor), most techs recommend doing the full clutch kit, pressure plate, flywheel resurface, and rear main seal at the same time. Just bearing replacement is penny-wise, pound-foolish.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Ignition Coil Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with misfire codes (P0351-P0354), Rough idle or hesitation under load, Poor fuel economy, Difficulty starting when hot
Fix: The individual coil-on-plug units fail over time, typically one at a time. There was an NHTSA recall for some VINs related to ignition system, but failures happen outside recall scope. Replace the failed coil and all four spark plugs as a set (1-1.5 hours labor). Boxer engine makes access trickier than an inline-four.
Estimated cost: $300-500
Fuel Pump & Fuel Filter Clogging (High Mileage)
Rare · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000+ mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when tank is below 1/4, Loss of power under heavy acceleration or at high RPM, Sputtering or surging at highway speeds, Fuel pump whine audible from rear seat area
Fix: The in-tank fuel pump strainer/filter clogs or the pump itself weakens. Requires fuel tank drop (3-4 hours labor). Many techs replace the entire pump assembly rather than just the filter element since you're already in there. Use OEM or high-quality aftermarket — cheap pumps fail quickly on these cars.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Owner tips
Check oil level religiously — these engines burn oil by design (0.5-1 qt per 1,000 mi is normal per Toyota), and low oil accelerates the bearing failure issue
Have a trusted shop pull the oil pan and inspect/clean the pickup screen around 60,000 mi if you plan to keep the car long-term — cheap insurance against a $6,000 rebuild
Use quality synthetic oil (0W-20) and change every 5,000 mi max, especially if you drive spiritedly; the FA20 is unforgiving of neglect
If buying used, get a pre-purchase inspection that includes an oil analysis and compression test — metal in the oil or low compression on any cylinder is a walk-away
Buy one if the oil pickup has been inspected/cleaned and compression test is good — otherwise you're gambling on a $5,000-7,000 engine rebuild lottery ticket, but a clean example is one of the most reliable modern sports cars.
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.
Fitment notes: Compact battery; located in engine bay
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2017-2020 Toyota 86 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Mileage programming required by law; VIN registration mandatory
Backup Camera ECU (CAMERA ECU)0.5 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Integrated with camera assembly in rear license plate area
⚠️ Standard equipment 2018+; plug-and-play replacement; guideline calibration via radio menu
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · 16V920000
2016-12-21
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2017 Toyota 86 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016 through August 11, 2016 equipped with an automatic transmission and ignition key. Vehicles with a push-to-start button or manual transmission are not affected. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible to remove the ignition key without the transmission being in the "Park" position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the transmission is not in the "Park" position, the vehicle could roll away increasing the risk of a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition key/transmission interlock wiring connections, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0E.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
24mpg
Highway
32mpg
Combined
27mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Wiper blades
1st generation (2017-2021). Coupe body style, no rear wiper. Uses standard hook attachment.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2017 Toyota 86 2.0L H4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.