As a new car enthusiast, purchasing a 2017 T86 Toyota in November 2016 was an exciting milestone. Initially, the vehicle lived up to expectations, offering the sporty performance and sleek design Toyota is known for. However, this honeymoon phase was short-lived as perplexing noises began to emerge, casting doubt on the reliability and build quality of my T86 Toyota.
My concerns started surfacing merely two to three months into ownership. A noticeable rattle from the rear end and window area began to accompany engine vibrations and driving motions. Seeking a resolution, I visited the dealership, hoping for a quick diagnosis and fix. Unfortunately, my concerns were dismissed, with the service department suggesting I might be imagining the sounds.
Months later, at the eight-month mark, the rattling persisted and intensified, becoming impossible to ignore. This time, the dealership acknowledged the issue and proceeded to replace the drive shaft. Regrettably, this intervention proved ineffective. The noise not only remained but has progressively worsened over time. The dealership’s explanation shifted to attributing the noises to the T86 Toyota being inherently a “race car,” implying that such sounds are normal and to be expected. Adding to the lack of confidence, they cited the “new version” of the T86 model as a reason for their uncertainty in addressing the problem.
Around the eleventh or twelfth month of ownership, a new issue arose: a subtle clicking sound emanating from the engine. This noise would intermittently appear at higher revolutions. During subsequent dealership visits, I was unable to replicate the sound consistently, leading to a preliminary diagnosis of a fuel pump issue.
Fast forward to eighteen months, and the engine clicking has evolved into a constant and louder presence, now occurring even at idle. The dealership’s explanations took a bewildering turn, initially attributing it to the “Subaru engine” in a Toyota car – a statement that felt dismissive and unprofessional. After further inspection, a different explanation emerged, suggesting that the engine design inadequately secures the injectors on the right side, supposedly causing the noise. Online forums revealed similar experiences from other T86 Toyota owners, with sound examples mirroring the noises I was experiencing.
Adding to the symphony of sounds, a minor turbine-like noise, resembling air being released, began to develop around the thirteenth to fifteenth month. As this noise intensified, the dealership proposed that the boxer engine design was intentionally releasing excess pressure through a valve.
Throughout this ordeal, the recurring theme in the dealership’s explanations has been to downplay the issues as inherent characteristics of the vehicle’s design or engine. Despite the escalating nature of these concerns, the service department now advises me to disregard them and simply continue driving the car. As time passes and the noises worsen, my initial excitement for my T86 Toyota has transformed into deep regret, leaving me wishing for a resolution, a return, or simply my money back.
