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 severity
Typical 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 severity
Typical 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 severity
Symptoms: 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 severity
Typical 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 severity
Typical 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 severity
Typical 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
Owner tips
Check if fuel pump recall 20V-134 was completed — this is non-negotiable
Avoid cars with aftermarket tunes or obvious track abuse unless engine has been rebuilt
Keep RPMs below 7,000 during cold starts until oil temp reaches 180°F — valve springs hate cold oil
Use quality synthetic 0W-20 and change every 5,000 miles — this engine runs hot and burns oil when worn
Inspect transmission mount at every oil change after 50k miles
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.
Fitment notes: Compact battery located in engine bay; characteristic of Japanese sports car configuration
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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 2019 Toyota 86 2.0L H4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.