The 2018 Toyota 86 shares the FA20 boxer engine with Subaru BRZ, inheriting both its rev-happy character and its catastrophic oiling defect. Early FA20s suffer valve spring failure and oil starvation under sustained high-G cornering, leading to spun bearings and grenaded motors—often without warning.
FA20 Valve Spring Failure and Engine Knock
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden onset of rod knock or bearing noise, often after spirited driving or track use, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Loss of oil pressure at idle after warm-up, Catastrophic failure with no prior warning in some cases
Fix: Valve springs can break and drop into cylinder, destroying internals. Many engines spin rod or main bearings due to oil starvation during high-G cornering (oil pickup uncovers). Repair requires full engine rebuild or short block replacement. 18-25 hours labor for short block swap, more if machine work needed.
Estimated cost: $6,000-12,000
RTV Silicone Contamination in Oil System
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Engine knock or bearing noise at relatively low mileage (under 60k), Oil starvation symptoms despite proper oil level, Oil pickup screen clogged with gray silicone chunks visible during oil pan drop
Fix: Factory assembly process left excess RTV sealant inside engine from oil pan and timing cover. Chunks break free and clog oil pickup screen, starving engine of oil. Once bearings are damaged, full rebuild required. Preventive measure: drop oil pan around 10k-15k miles, clean pickup screen, replace gasket. 3-4 hours labor for preventive cleaning.
Estimated cost: $400-600 preventive / $6,000-10,000 if damage occurs
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive drivetrain clunk on throttle lift or application, Vibration felt through shift lever, especially in 1st-3rd gears, Visible separation or tearing of rubber mount when inspected from below
Fix: OEM rubber transmission mount deteriorates, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Aftermarket polyurethane mounts last longer but transmit more NVH. 1.5-2 hours labor for replacement, straightforward bolt-in job.
Estimated cost: $200-400
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF fluid visible on ground under front of vehicle (automatic transmission models), Low transmission fluid level, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement when fluid gets low
Fix: Cooler lines corrode or connections weaken at crimps, causing external ATF leaks. Requires line replacement and system refill. Manual transmissions don't have this issue. 2-3 hours labor including fluid service.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Fuel Pump Recall and Related Failures
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Engine stalling while driving, won't restart immediately, Rough idle and hesitation under acceleration, Check engine light with fuel system lean codes, Engine cranks but won't start
Fix: NHTSA recall for fuel pump impeller cracking (Denso low-pressure pump). Even post-recall, some pumps fail prematurely. Fuel pump module replacement requires tank drop. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $0 if recall applies / $800-1,200 out of pocket
Throwout Bearing Chatter (Manual)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling or chattering noise with clutch pedal depressed, disappears when released, Most noticeable at idle in neutral with clutch in, Does not affect function, purely noise-related
Fix: Throwout bearing develops noisy operation but typically doesn't fail catastrophically. Many owners live with it. Replacement requires transmission removal. 6-8 hours labor, often done during clutch replacement.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800 if done with clutch
Cricket Chirping Noise from Fuel Pump
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: High-pitched chirping or cricket noise from rear of car, audible with windows down, Most noticeable at idle or low speeds, No performance impact, purely audible annoyance
Fix: In-tank fuel pump develops harmonic resonance creating chirping sound. Not related to recall, purely NVH issue. Some improved with dampening pads, others require pump replacement for resolution. Many owners tolerate it.
Estimated cost: $50-150 for dampening attempts / $800-1,200 for pump replacement
Owner tips
Drop oil pan between 10k-15k miles to inspect and clean oil pickup screen of RTV contamination—single best preventive measure
Avoid sustained high-RPM cornering (track days, autocross) without aftermarket oil pan baffle or accusump—oil starvation is real
Change oil every 3k-5k miles with quality synthetic; these engines are hard on oil
If buying used, pull valve cover and inspect valve springs for cracks under magnification, or budget for engine rebuild
Check for recall completion (fuel pump) and ask for oil consumption records—excessive consumption signals ring/piston issues
Buy one if you love the platform, but budget $3k-5k reserve for potential engine work—this is not a Honda reliability story, and track use accelerates the ticking time bomb.
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: Battery located in engine compartment; shared with Subaru BRZ platform
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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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
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 2018 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.