MajorCommonFluid Leaks

Toyota Supra: Power steering high-pressure hose heat deterioration and weeping

Power steering high-pressure hose heat deterioration and weeping is a common fluid leaks fault on the Toyota Supra on the 1993–2002 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $350 to $900 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 23 documented faults on the Toyota Supra.

Vehicle: Toyota Supra
Years: 1993–2002
Fuel: petrol
System: Fluid Leaks

This page covers the Toyota Supra 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 Supra faults23 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

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

What goes wrong

The OEM power steering high-pressure hose on the JZA80 routes in close proximity to the exhaust manifold and turbo assembly. The rubber-lined hose degrades from sustained heat exposure over time, causing the inner lining to break down, weep fluid, or swell. A failed hose produces a slow PS fluid leak, reduced steering assist, and in severe cases a sudden loss of fluid causing heavy steering. At 25–30 years old, essentially all unmodified examples will have hoses past their service life.

What you would notice

Power steering fluid puddle under front-left of engine bay
Whining power steering pump especially when cold
Stiff or inconsistent steering assist
Visible oily residue or staining along hose routing

How to check it

Where to look. High-pressure power steering hose running from pump (front of engine, driver's side) past the exhaust manifold to the steering rack

With engine running, have a helper turn steering lock to lock while you inspect the high-pressure hose for weeping, swelling, or cracking.
Check PS fluid reservoir level and colour.
Look for residue on exhaust manifold heat shield near hose routing.

Parts involved: Steering rack.

What it costs to put right

$350 to $900 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

“Has the power steering hose been replaced?”
“Is the steering fluid reservoir at full level?”
“Any steering stiffness or groaning noticed?”

Now check the Toyota Supra 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 Supra buyer questions

Is power steering high-pressure hose heat deterioration and weeping serious on a Toyota Supra?

We rate it major and common on the Toyota Supra. The OEM power steering high-pressure hose on the JZA80 routes in close proximity to the exhaust manifold and turbo assembly. The rubber-lined hose degrades from sustained heat exposure over time, causing the inner lining to break down, weep fluid, or swell. A failed hose produces a slow PS fluid leak, reduced steering assist, and in severe cases a sudden loss of fluid causing heavy steering. At 25–30 years old, essentially all unmodified examples will have hoses past their service life.

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

$350 to $900 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 Supra years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1993–2002 Toyota Supra. 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?

With engine running, have a helper turn steering lock to lock while you inspect the high-pressure hose for weeping, swelling, or cracking. Check PS fluid reservoir level and colour. Look for residue on exhaust manifold heat shield near hose routing. Look here: High-pressure power steering hose running from pump (front of engine, driver's side) past the exhaust manifold to the steering rack