RoadVitals

1991 Toyota MR2

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Jan 31, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 24, 1991
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Toyota MR2, most frequently naming the airbags, steering and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 26 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags325.0%
  • Steering325.0%
  • Engine216.7%
  • Interior & seats216.7%
  • Driver assistance18.3%
  • Tires & wheels18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS

Dec 24, 1991
26,395 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DRIVER'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM (STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG) EXCEEDS THE 60G THORAX CRITERION IN NHTSA CRASH TESTS.
The risk: THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THEENERGY ABSORPTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 208. THIS REDUCES THE CRASH PROTECTIONAFFORDED BY THE STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG SYSTEMS IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL WITH A MODIFIED WHEEL DESIGNED FOR INCREASED ENERGY ABSORPTION.
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Jan 31, 2021

TOLD BY PATT LOBB TOYOTA IN MCKINNEY, TX THAT TOYOTA NA WILL BE REACHING OUT TO ME. "UNABLE TO REPLACE STEERING WHEEL" UNDER RECALL 91V223

NHTSA ID
11390864
Incident
Jan 30, 2021
Filed Oct 29, 2019

FOR YEARS I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA EVERY FEW MONTHS. I THINK IT IS FOR AIRBAGS, BUT I'M NOT SURE. THE NOTICE ALWAYS SAYS TO CALL MY LOCAL DEALER, WHICH I HAVE DONE A FEW TIMES WITHOUT ANY SATISFACTION. THE LAST TIME I PURSUED THE REPAIR MORE VIGOROUSLY, AND TOYOTA TOLD ME THEY NO LONGER HAVE THE REPAIR KITS AND SO CANNOT FIX MY CAR. NOW I HAVE JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE, WHICH IS CLEARLY AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. I WANT THE CAR REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
11276992
Incident
Oct 26, 2019
Mileage
63,909 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Nov 6, 2017

I WAS CHECKING FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND FOUND THIS RECALL WHICH INCLUDES STEERING WHEEL AND AIRBAG(91V223) AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS TO OLD OF A RECALL TO FIX.

NHTSA ID
11043904
Incident
Nov 6, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 24, 2017

NHTSA REFERENCE ID 91V223. ESCONDIDO TOYOTA SAYS THEY CAN'T REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11019349
Incident
Aug 24, 2017
Mileage
176,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 7, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ONE OF THE TWO THROTTLE BODY SPRINGS FRACTURED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 80 MPH. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE SAFELY MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED AND DETERMINED THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY MUST BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10161835
Incident
Jul 7, 2006
Mileage
117,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 29, 2005

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH HOOD FLEW UP AND SHATTERED WINDSHIELD AND T-TOP GLASS. SECONDARY LATCH FAILED TO CATCH HOOD FROM FLIGHT AND RESULTED IN HOOD, HOOD LATCH, WIPER COWL, WINDSHIELD, AND T-TOP DAMAGE. NO ACTION TAKEN TO CORRECT FAILURE. SOME REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO GLASS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE SAME MODEL OF VEHICLE, 3 DIFFERENT CARS.

NHTSA ID
10116057
Incident
Jun 28, 2004
Mileage
136,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 8, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING TYPE NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BELT HAD COME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY DIED. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD FROZEN IN THE EVENT THE VEHICLE HAD RAN OUT OF OIL, HOWEVER THERE WAS FRESH OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND NO SIGNS OF LACK OF OIL. DEALERSHIP ADDED THAT THE ENGINE COULD FREEZE IF THE VEHICLE HAD AT ANY TIME RUN LOW ON OIL. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID
566927
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2002
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ACTUAL BODY OF THE CAR,THE ONLY VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE UNIT WAS TO THE ENGINE, (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *TT

NHTSA ID
563964
Incident
Oct 20, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB003220

AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

Toyota PRO19-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

T-SB-0032-20 Rev

EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

T-SB-0304-17 Obs

EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

T-SB-0032-20

EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

PG006-01-Obsolet

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota MR2 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007000
2006000
2005100
2004200
2003600
2002600
2001200
2000400
1995000
1994000
1993400
1992110
1991Viewing121046.9
1990000
1989100
1988100
1987501
1986601
1985301

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.