Back to catalog
Top issues
10 known problems · 1 high
high
Engine valve spring fracture (recall, Apr 2012 - Jul 2013 build)
2.0L FA20 boxer petrol (pre-facelift)
medium
Track / crash / modified history
All engines
medium
Oil consumption / FA20 oil starvation sensitivity
All engines
Recalls
3 on recordREC-001698
2021-09-02
Defect: The fuel pump may stop operating.
Hazard: This can result in warning lights displaying, the engine not running smoothly, vehicle stalling, and the vehicle not being able to be restarted.
Remedy: Contact your nearest Toyota dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.
Affected: 367 units, 86 2018 model
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
REC-001286
2016-08-08
Defect: Due to an improper wire harness layout, the electric power steering harness may interfere with the instrument panel lower cover (which contains the driver's knee airbag), causing terminal wear.
Hazard: Electrical contact failure may result in a loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: Toyota dealer replaces the power steering ECU and wire harness, free of charge.
Affected: 14,905 units, built April 2012 - March 2015 (PRA 2016/15586, campaign CGG57)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-10-01
REC-001301
2018-11-11
Defect: The engine valve spring may fracture if performance load exceeds the valve spring's fatigue strength.
Hazard: Sudden loss of engine power while driving; the vehicle may not restart.
Remedy: Toyota dealer replaces the engine valve springs with improved units, free of charge.
Affected: 5,407 units, built 9 April 2012 - 8 July 2013
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-10-01
Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
At this odometer
See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.
Before and after
Before: Toyota Celica (T230, 1999-2006) / Toyota AE86 in spirit
After: Toyota GR86 (ZN8, 2022-)
Price (AUD)
$15k-$38k
Body styles
2-door coupe (2+2)
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (Torsen LSD)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
Co-developed with Subaru (sold there as the BRZ, and badged Scion FR-S in North America) and built at Subaru's Gunma plant in Japan. A lightweight (~1240kg), front-engine, rear-drive 2+2 coupe with a low-mounted 2.0L flat-four and a standard Torsen limited-slip diff - a deliberate throwback to the affordable, balanced AE86 ethos. Only ever one engine in Australia: the naturally aspirated FA20/4U-GSE boxer using Toyota's D-4S port-plus-direct injection on 98 RON. Sold here as GT and the better-equipped GTS, plus various special editions. The big dividing line is the 2017 facelift: manuals gained a little power (147kW to 152kW) and a shorter 4.30 final drive, sharpening the car. The notorious flaw is the early valve-spring safety recall (April 2012 - July 2013 build), and the FA20's signature is a flat mid-range 'torque dip' rather than a true fault. Genuinely reliable when serviced on time with the right oil; abused, oil-starved or recall-skipped cars are the ones that grenade.
Engines & variants
2.0L FA20 boxer petrol (pre-facelift)
Engine
2.0L naturally aspirated DOHC flat-four (boxer) with D-4S port + direct injection
Engine code
FA20 / 4U-GSE
Config
Flat-4 (boxer) NA
Displacement
1998cc
Power
147kW @ 7000rpm
Torque
205Nm @ 6400-6600rpm
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (Torsen LSD)
Economy
7.8-8.4 L/100km combined (98 RON)
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Genuinely fun, balanced RWD chassis with a standard Torsen LSD
- Light, simple, naturally aspirated - no turbo or DSG complexity
- Cheap to run and insure for a sports car; 98 RON but modest consumption
- Huge aftermarket and enthusiast support
Cons
- Build dates April 2012 - July 2013 are subject to the valve-spring safety recall
- Notorious flat mid-range 'torque dip' around 3500-4500rpm
- Can use oil if driven hard or serviced poorly - check level often
- Modest 147kW; performance is about balance, not straight-line speed
Known problems
high
Engine valve spring fracture (recall, Apr 2012 - Jul 2013 build)
Toyota Australia recalled ~5,400 86s built April 2012 to July 2013 (recall REC-001301): a valve spring made with substandard material can fracture under high RPM load, causing sudden power loss and a no-restart. Worse, some cars suffered spun bearings AFTER the recall fix when workshops used too much sealant, blocking oil passages.
Fix: Confirm the valve-spring recall was performed AND that the car has run cleanly since (no oil-pressure or bearing symptoms). Get the VIN checked against the recall list before buying.
medium
Oil consumption / FA20 oil starvation sensitivity
Early FA20s can consume oil, especially when revved hard or tracked, and the boxer's bearings tolerate oil starvation poorly. Low-level or extended-interval cars risk bearing wear and, at worst, rod knock.
Fix: Check oil every ~1000km and between services; use the correct low-viscosity synthetic (0W-20/5W-30 per manual); favour cars with full service records. Consider a baffled sump/catch-can for tracked cars.
low
Mid-range torque dip (characteristic, not a fault)
The FA20 has a well-documented flat spot around 3500-4500rpm where the D-4S transitions, making the car feel breathless mid-range. It is a design trait, not a defect.
Fix: Nothing required; drive it on the cam above ~5000rpm. ECU tunes or forced induction address it (warranty/legal implications).
2.0L FA20 boxer petrol (2017 facelift)
Engine
2.0L naturally aspirated DOHC flat-four (boxer) with D-4S; updated manual tune, 4.30 final drive
Engine code
FA20 / 4U-GSE
Config
Flat-4 (boxer) NA
Displacement
1998cc
Power
152kW @ 7000rpm (manual) / 147kW @ 7000rpm (auto)
Torque
212Nm @ 6400-6800rpm (manual) / 205Nm (auto)
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (Torsen LSD)
Economy
8.4-9.0 L/100km combined (98 RON)
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Manual gains 5kW/7Nm and a shorter 4.30 final drive - feels noticeably sharper
- Post-recall era (built well after the valve-spring fault) - much lower risk
- Stiffer body, retuned dampers and revised steering over the early car
- Best blend of price, reliability and fun in the range; the one to buy
Cons
- Auto keeps the old 147kW/205Nm tune - the manual is the engaging one
- Same FA20 mid-range torque dip remains
- Still demands 98 RON and disciplined oil checks
- Performance still modest; some find it slow in a straight line
Known problems
medium
Oil consumption / oil-starvation sensitivity
Like the pre-facelift car, the FA20 can use oil and does not tolerate low oil level, particularly under sustained high-g cornering on track where the boxer can momentarily starve.
Fix: Check oil regularly, especially on tracked cars; correct synthetic grade; baffled sump/extra capacity for serious track use.
medium
Clutch and throwout-bearing wear (manual)
The standard clutch wears faster than a typical commuter car, especially with spirited or learner driving; squeaky pedal and notchy shifts can precede it.
Fix: Clutch and throwout-bearing replacement; grease the fork/bearing; inspect for slip on a test drive (rev under load in high gear).
low
Rear differential clunk on tight low-speed turns
The Torsen LSD can clunk/judder on tight, slow turns particularly in cold weather - usually a diff-oil/friction-modifier issue rather than damage.
Fix: Fresh high-quality LSD gear oil with the correct friction modifier; not normally a sign of failure.