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

1986 Toyota MR2: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 1986 Toyota MR2. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (0)

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 1986 Toyota MR2. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (6)

6 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
1involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1986 Toyota MR2, by component (top 8). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 6.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1986 compares with other MR2 years

Best and worst MR2 years →
3 6 5 1 1 12 1 4 4 2
1985198619871988198919911992199320002001
This year (1986)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
22
city
29
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,700
CO₂ tailpipe
356 g/mi
EPA class
Two Seaters

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1986 Toyota MR2 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25$2,700356
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive23 / 28 / 25$2,700356

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1986 MR2 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All MR2 years

Where to next

1986 Toyota MR2 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1986 Toyota MR2 have?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1986 Toyota MR2. Check a specific car with NHTSA's VIN lookup, which also covers newly announced recalls.

What are the most common 1986 Toyota MR2 problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (2), Parking brake (2), Equipment (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1986 Toyota MR2 get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 22 city, 29 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1986 MR2 compare with other years?

Among the 1985–2001 Toyota MR2 model years at least five years old, the 1988 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1991 the most (12). The 1986 drew 6. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

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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