MajorCommonBody & Rust

Toyota MR2: Soft-top hydraulic pump motor failure (Spyder convertible)

Soft-top hydraulic pump motor failure (Spyder convertible) is a common body & rust fault on the Toyota MR2 on the 1999–2007 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $600 to $2,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 14 documented faults on the Toyota MR2.

Vehicle: Toyota MR2
Years: 1999–2007
Fuel: petrol
System: Body & Rust

This page covers the Toyota MR2 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Toyota MR2 faults14 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Body corrosion yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The W30 MR2 Spyder features a power-operated soft top using a hydraulic pump motor to drive rams that raise and lower the hood. The pump motor brushes wear out with age and the motor housing seals allow moisture ingress, causing internal corrosion and motor seizure. A failed pump leaves the soft top inoperable mid-cycle — potentially stuck open or partially raised. The pump relay also fails independently. Replacement OEM pump motors are discontinued; aftermarket and rebuilt units are available but quality varies.

What you would notice

Roof fails to raise or lower when switch is pressed
Grinding or labouring noise from pump under rear tonneau cover
Roof stops mid-cycle
Pump runs but roof does not move (hydraulic pressure loss)

How to check it

Where to look. Hydraulic pump motor mounted under rear tonneau storage area behind the seats.

Operate the roof through a complete open-close cycle.
Listen for the pump motor running (audible under rear tonneau).
Check that the roof latches fully and seals correctly at all four corners.
Inspect the pump motor housing for corrosion.

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

What it costs to put right

$600 to $2,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Does the roof operate fully and reliably in both directions?”
“Has the pump motor or relay ever been replaced?”
“Has the roof ever stuck or stopped mid-cycle?”

Now check the Toyota MR2 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Toyota MR2 buyer questions

Is soft-top hydraulic pump motor failure (spyder convertible) serious on a Toyota MR2?

We rate it major and common on the Toyota MR2. The W30 MR2 Spyder features a power-operated soft top using a hydraulic pump motor to drive rams that raise and lower the hood. The pump motor brushes wear out with age and the motor housing seals allow moisture ingress, causing internal corrosion and motor seizure. A failed pump leaves the soft top inoperable mid-cycle — potentially stuck open or partially raised. The pump relay also fails independently. Replacement OEM pump motors are discontinued; aftermarket and rebuilt units are available but quality varies.

How much does it cost to fix on a Toyota MR2?

$600 to $2,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Toyota MR2 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1999–2007 Toyota MR2. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Operate the roof through a complete open-close cycle. Listen for the pump motor running (audible under rear tonneau). Check that the roof latches fully and seals correctly at all four corners. Inspect the pump motor housing for corrosion. Look here: Hydraulic pump motor mounted under rear tonneau storage area behind the seats.