Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Toyota MR2 Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign across the Toyota MR2, 1985–2005. Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 14 model years with settled counts, the 1991 drew the most (12) and the 1988 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Toyota MR2 complaints by model year

54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

3 6 5 1 1 112 11 4 4 2 6 6 2 1
19851986198719881989199119921993200020012002200320042005
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1988 · 1 complaints
  • 1989 · 1 complaints
  • 1992 · 1 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1991 · 12 complaints
  • 2003 · 6 complaints
  • 2002 · 6 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1989–2005. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Toyota MR2 owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1989199119921993200020012002200320042005
Power train 0001002521
Engine and engine cooling 0201212000
Air bags 0301101000
Steering 0300000000
Tires 0101010000
Vehicle speed control 0100002000
Engine 0000100200
Latches/locks/linkages 0200000000

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Toyota MR2 recalls (1)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one MR2 model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Toyota MR2
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
91V223000Dec 24, 1991INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:AIR BAG1991, 1992—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

198526 mpg
198625 mpg
198725 mpg
198822–25 mpg
198922–25 mpg
199120–22 mpg
199220–22 mpg
199320–22 mpg
200024 mpg
200124 mpg
200224 mpg
200325 mpg
200425–26 mpg
200525–26 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Toyota MR2 FAQ

How many recalls has the Toyota MR2 had?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaigns that cover at least one Toyota MR2 model year from 1985 to 2005. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Toyota MR2 year has the most complaints?

Among the last 14 model years with settled counts, the 1991 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (12) and the 1988 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Toyota MR2 problems?

Across the 1989–2005 model years, owners most often name the power train, engine and engine cooling, air bags in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Toyota MR2 get?

EPA rates the 2005 Toyota MR2 at 25 to 26 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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