Toyota Supra A90: common faults & what to check

You're looking at the A90

2 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

2019–nowA90 Selected2019–nowA902.0 turbo petrolPetrolDocumented issues9 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Kevauto via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2019–nowA90 Selected2019–nowA903.0 turbo petrolPetrolDocumented issues11 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Kevauto via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Toyota Supra

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Toyota Supra before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Costly issue

  Drain and inspect the rear differential fluid — healthy fluid is clean amber.

  See why

  Rear Differential Fluid Breakdown Causing Whine and LSD Chatter

  The A90 Supra's rear limited-slip differential (Torsen-type) uses a specific friction-modifier fluid that degrades rapidly under track or repeated aggressive driving. Toyota's own documentation acknowledges accelerated fluid life under performance conditions. As the fluid breaks down, the LSD clutch packs begin to chatter on slow-speed turns, and a pronounced differential whine develops under load. If left unaddressed, the differential can overheat and suffer internal gear or clutch damage requiring a full rebuild or replacement unit.

  What you would notice

  • Whine from the rear differential that increases in pitch with vehicle speed
  • Chattering or shuddering sensation through the driveline during slow-speed turning
  • Burnt or metallic smell from the rear differential drain plug area
  • Dark, discoloured differential fluid with metallic particles on the magnetic drain plug
  • Differential heat soak noticeable to the touch after a drive — running hotter than normal

  Typically $200–$4,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Inspect both rear axle stub shaft seals by looking inboard of each rear wheel with a torch.

  See why

  ZF 8HP Rear Differential Output Shaft Seal Failure

  The A90 GR Supra uses a ZF 8HP automatic transaxle paired with an electronically-controlled active rear differential. The rear differential output shaft seals — which retain differential fluid at each axle stub shaft — are subject to hardening and lip seal deterioration, particularly on early production 2019 and 2020 cars. Seal failure allows differential fluid to weep externally down the axle shaft and onto the inner CV joint and underbody, eventually leading to low differential fluid level and increased wear on the limited-slip differential internals. In more advanced cases, total seal failure causes significant fluid loss and differential overheating under track or spirited driving conditions. The fault is compounded by the fact that the active differential fluid is a specialised ZF specification fluid and the reservoir capacity is small, meaning even modest leakage accelerates wear disproportionately. Repair requires axle removal and seal replacement; on pre-facelift cars the seal design was updated by Toyota under a service campaign in some markets.

  What you would notice

  • Differential fluid weeping or dripping at rear axle stub shaft
  • Differential fluid smell or smoke from rear axle area when hot
  • Notchy or chattering rear differential behaviour under low-speed turning
  • Low active differential fluid warning (where equipped with sensor)
  • Oily residue on inner surface of rear wheels or inner CV boots

  Typically $700–$2,200 to put right.

• Worth checking

  Inspect the interior of the intake pipe between the turbo outlet and the throttle body — a healthy engine will have minimal oil film.

  See why

  Crankcase Ventilation Oil Separator Fouling and Oil in Intake

  The B58's positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system routes blow-by gases — which carry oil mist — back into the intake tract. The oil separator mounted in the valve cover is designed to remove oil droplets from the blow-by before it re-enters the intake. On higher-mileage or hard-driven examples, the oil separator baffles clog with sludge or the one-way valve fails, allowing oil mist to pass through unchecked into the intake manifold and intercooler piping. This accelerates intake valve carbon buildup (see related fault) and can foul the throttle body and mass air flow sensor.

  What you would notice

  • Oily film or pooled oil visible inside the intake pipe or intercooler pipe when inspected
  • Oily residue around the throttle body bore, causing sticking or erratic idle
  • Blue-grey smoke on startup or light-load deceleration indicating oil entering the combustion chamber via the intake
  • Rough idle or hesitation that improves after cleaning the throttle body but returns quickly
  • Excessive oil consumption beyond expected limits with no external leak source identified

  Typically $400–$1,800 to put right.

Toyota Supra service schedule

The 2 engines a 2019 Toyota Supra was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Toyota Supra’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• Head Gasket Repair Cost
• Turbo Repair and Replacement Cost

Other Toyota models