Selling a 1984-1998 Toyota Supra that needs work

This page covers the Celica Supra and Supra from 1984 to 1998. The 2020-on GR Supra is a different car with its own page.

Three Supras, 1984 to 1998

In February 1986 the Supra split from the Celica, which went to front-wheel drive while the Supra kept rear drive. Toyota says the 1987 Turbo was its first model offered with both a turbocharged engine and anti-lock brakes. Every 1997 Supra was sold as a 15th Anniversary model.

What owners have reported

NHTSA holds just 50 Supra complaints, downloaded October 10, 2026, so each pattern below rests on a handful of owner reports. Engine and engine cooling is the biggest group, at 15.

• Head gaskets on the 7M sixes. On the 1989, 6 of 11 complaints are engine and cooling. Some describe a head gasket that pushed coolant out of the overflow bottle, and one a blown gasket followed by a blown piston. A 1991 owner calls it "an inherent flaw in the design of the 7M-GTE engine." No Toyota warranty extension or bulletin for it was found.
• Leaking targa roofs. A 1988 owner says his targa top has leaked since 1990. A 1991 owner reports rain getting into the cabin even after replacement parts.
• Fires. Two 1988 complaints report fires, one from under the hood. A 1989 owner blames an overheated catalytic converter for an underbody fire that reached the interior.
• Yellowed A80 headlights. A 1994 owner reports dull, yellowed headlight housings with condensation inside on 1993-1996 cars.

The three recalls

Two hit the 1984 Celica Supra. Recall 83V133 replaced a voltage regulator that could overcharge the battery, on 48,737 vehicles across several Toyota models. Recall 84V108 replaced an oil pressure sender that could leak oil, or let the engine lock up, on 74,275 vehicles, again not all Supras.

The third, 20V033 from January 2020, covers certain 1997-1998 Supras along with 1998-2000 RAV4s and 1998-1999 Celicas and RAV4 EVs: 138,842 vehicles in all. The non-azide inflators in those steering wheels can take on moisture and burst, a different chemistry from Takata's ammonium nitrate.

Supra complaints and recalls by model year

NHTSA holds no Supra complaints for 1992 or 1996.

Fix it, keep it or sell it?

The A80 is the scarce one: Toyota counts just over 11,200 sold in the US, nearly 7,000 of them Turbos. Toyota's own history notes that Supras "have been attracting car collectors' attention and rising in value," so it pays to know what yours is before deciding. Then:

1. Own a 1997 or 1998? Put its VIN into NHTSA's search for the inflator recall.
2. Head gasket gone on a 7M car? Blown engine helps you weigh a rebuild against selling.
3. Parked for years? See car sitting for years.

Selling your Supra whole

Gather the VIN, the mileage, the engine code and the title. Then ask online what we'd offer for the Supra, or dial (877) 421-6008. Let us know where the car lives, whether a garage, carport, driveway or shop, and whether it rolls. Leave it complete, the wheels and catalytic converter included, and tell us about anything missing. Plate rules vary; after you sell has them.

More Toyota sports cars: the GR Supra, Celica and MR2, or every Toyota.