A New Subaru and Toyota Engine Failure Lawsuit Includes All BRZ, FR-S, 86, and GR86 Boxer Engines

Subaru's Boxer engine is under fire. 

Subaru's 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter Boxer engines in the BRZ, Scion FR-S, Toyota 86, and Toyota GR86 are allegedly defective in a new class action lawsuit. 

The Subaru and Toyota Boxer, engine failure lawsuit, is massive and includes all Subaru and Toyota vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder Boxer engines. T

Subaru, Scion, and Toyota sport coupes that are included in the lawsuit. 

• 2013-2016 Scion FR-S
• 2013-2023 Subaru BRZ
• 2017-2023 Toyota 86/GR86

The Subaru and Toyota Boxer, engine failure lawsuit, includes all first and second-generation Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, and Toyota 86/GR86 models.  

It's important to note that the Boxer engine is primarily a Subaru design in the Subaru/Toyota BRZ/GR86 joint venture. This joint venture, formed in 2012, aimed to combine Subaru's expertise in boxer engines with Toyota's knowledge in hybrid technology. However, it incorporates some Toyota parts, most notably the D-4S direct injection system, a Toyota technology used on the four-cylinder engine, allowing for more efficient fuel delivery.

CarComplaints says, "Arkansas plaintiff Laura Young filed the Boxer engine failure lawsuit for more than $5 million for her 2019 Toyota GR86, which she purchased used in October 2021."

"In April 2023, the plaintiff was driving her Toyota when it suddenly lost power, and the engine failed when the GR86 had about 64,000 on the odometer. The powertrain warranty coverage is for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first."

The plaintiff did not contact a Toyota dealership, but she says she contacted an independent auto repair shop after her Toyota GR86 sport coupe was towed home.

"Upon a complete professional teardown of the engine, it was determined that the engine failure was due to oil starvation, loss of the oil film, and excessive wear. Ms. Young's vehicle is still disabled, and Defendants have not replaced her defective engine with a non-defective one," according to the Toyota Subaru boxer engine lawsuit.

What is the problem with the sports car's Boxer engines?

The report says the Subaru Boxer engines allegedly suffer from low oil pressure and a loss of oil film, which damages and destroys the boxer engines due to a lack of engine oil.

The lawsuit alleges that drivers and others are in danger when the Boxer engines fail while driving, and in the worst case, the plaintiff claims the Boxer engines can catch fire.

"Defendants admit they had known about the Engine Defect before the first Class Vehicle was sold yet chose to conceal it from purchasers. Defendants have never disclosed the Engine Defect to Plaintiff or the Class members," the Boxer engine failure lawsuit says. 

The report says that the plaintiff, Laura Young, complains that the Toyota and Subaru vehicles have never been recalled to repair the boxer engines, and the automakers need to extend the warranties. Customers also allegedly have yet to be offered replacements or suitable repairs, and the class action further alleges customers haven't been reimbursed.

The lawsuit alleges Subaru and Toyota used room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone instead of traditional gaskets.

The heat from the Boxer engine allegedly hardens the silicone, which causes it to break apart and find its way into the crankcase. Young alleges that Toyota and Subaru "applied RTV excessively and clumsily during manufacturing."

The fractured hardened silicone allegedly gets into oil and coolant passages, damaging and destroying the Boxer engines.

A lawsuit was filed in 2019 for Boxer engine problems. 

I reported in March 2019 that some Subaru BRZ and FR-S 2.0-liter engines were dying after the recall fix had been done at some Toyota dealers. The report said technicians were applying too much sealant, causing some BRZ and FR-S engines to fail.

A class action lawsuit was filed in 2019 by a 2013 Scion FR-S owner who claimed he took his sports coupe to a Toyota dealer for the recall and had repairs done. One week later, his engine developed a "hard knocking," so he returned to the dealer and was told there were metal shavings in the oil, but the dealer refused to fix it.

The Subaru and Toyota Boxer engine failure lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on July 1, 2024. This could have significant implications for Subaru and Toyota, as they are accused of concealing these defects. The lawsuit, if successful, could lead to substantial financial penalties and damage to their reputations. I will bring further updates when they become available. 

Have you experienced any engine issues in a Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, Toyota 86, or Toyota GR86? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru