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 severityTypical 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 severitySymptoms: 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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
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.