Supra (A80)

1993-2002 / Coupe / Japan

All Supra (A80) problems All workshop issues

Common Body

Targa Roof Seal Deterioration

Symptoms

Water leaks into the cabin during rain or car washing. Stained headliner, musty smell, wet carpets.

Cause

Same as the A70, the rubber seals perish from age and UV exposure. The A80's targa panel is aluminium and lighter than the A70's, but the sealing principle is the same.

Fix

Replace the targa roof seals.

Toyota still supplies these.

Clean and lubricate the seal channels.

Apply anti-seize to the targa bolts on reassembly.

Cost: $200-400 for seals and installation.

Cost mentioned in fix

Cost: $200-400 for seals

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Other known issues

Minor Body

Interior Trim Deterioration

The soft-touch coating on interior trim pieces becomes sticky, gummy, and eventually peels off in black flakes. Affects the centre console, door handle surrounds, and other trim pieces with the soft-touch finish.

Minor Body

Dashboard Cracking

Cracks develop across the top surface of the dashboard, particularly near the windscreen and around the defroster vents. May start as a single crack and spread into a network of splits.

Common Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Sequential Twin-Turbo System Failures

A flat spot or hesitation in the 3,500-4,500 RPM range during full-throttle acceleration. Boost may spike or surge unpredictably. The car feels fast below 3,500 RPM and above 5,000 RPM but stumbles in the transition zone.

Common Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Turbo Seal Wear (High Mileage)

Blue smoke on cold startup (oil pooled in the turbo housing overnight drains into the exhaust when started). Blue smoke on deceleration (intake manifold vacuum pulls oil past the compressor seals). Oil residue in the intercooler piping. Increased oil consumption without external leaks.

Minor Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Timing Belt Failure

Catastrophic engine damage. The 2JZ is an interference engine, if the timing belt breaks, the pistons strike the open valves, bending them and potentially damaging the pistons, head, and block. The engine stops instantly and will not restart.

Critical Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Cam Cover Gasket Oil Leaks

Oil seeps from the edges of the cam covers (rocker covers), running down the sides of the engine. Oil smell from the engine bay. Oil drips onto the exhaust manifold (fire risk on the turbo side).

View all 17 Supra (A80) problems