Toyota GR86 And Subaru BRZ Engine Failure Spawns Class-Action Suit

A plaintiff in Arkansas has filed a class action lawsuit seeking more than $5 million in restitution for those affected by Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 engine failures.

The plaintiff, Laura Young, owned a 2019 Toyota 86 before its engine failed at 64,000 miles. It wasn’t covered under warranty, and Toyota hasn’t replaced the allegedly defective motor with a new one. The powertrain warranty coverage is for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

This story isn’t new, and other owners have seen engine failures due to sealant in their oil pickup as a result of on-track driving.

This particular suit alleges Toyota and Subaru’s use of RTV silicone sealant around the oil pan is to blame for many engine failures, stating the companies “recklessly and clumsily” applied the sealant, which later hardens under heat, detaches, and ends up in the car’s oil pickup. Editor's Note: There would need to be a substantial amount of hardened RTV sealant present to completely clog an oil pickup, if sealant is the culprit it was likely in conjunction with an unbaffled oil pan and high lateral Gs from track driving.

Starved for oil, the engines fail. A wide range of models using the manufacturer’s Boxer four-cylinder is listed in the lawsuit, including the 2013-16 Scion FR-S, 2013-23 Subaru BRZ, and the 2017-2023 Toyota 86 and GR 86. This one should be pretty easy to prove considering the widespread use of the 2.0 and 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinders across Subaru's lineup. Outside of the 2018 valve spring recall the regulatory chatter around these engines has been small.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.