1988 Toyota Supra problems

General information about Toyota-Supra
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Toyota Supra (Japanese: トヨタ・スープラ, Hepburn: Toyota Sūpura) is a sports car and grand tourer manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation beginning in 1978. The name "supra" is derived from the Latin prefix, meaning "above", "to surpass" or "go beyond".

The initial four generations of the Supra were produced from 1978 to 2002. The fifth generation has been produced since March 2019 and went on sale in May 2019. The styling of the original Supra was derived from the Toyota Celica, but it was longer. Starting in mid-1986, the A70 Supra became a separate model from the Celica. In turn, Toyota also stopped using the prefix Celica and named the car Supra. Owing to the similarity and past of the Celica's name, it is frequently mistaken for the Supra, and vice versa. The first, second and third generations of the Supra were assembled at the Tahara plant in Tahara, Aichi, while the fourth generation was assembled at the Motomachi plant in Toyota City. The 5th generation of the Supra is assembled alongside the G29 BMW Z4 in Graz, Austria by Magna Steyr.

The Supra traces much of its roots back to the 2000GT owing to an inline-6 layout. The first three generations were offered with a direct descendant to the Crown's and 2000GT's M engine. Interior aspects were also similar, as was the chassis code "A". Along with this name, Toyota also included its own logo for the Supra. It was derived from the original Celica logo, being blue instead of orange. This logo was used until January 1986, when the A70 Supra was introduced. The new logo was similar in size, with orange writing on a red background, but without the dragon design. That logo, in turn, was on Supras until 1991 when Toyota switched to its current oval company logo. The dragon logo was a Celica logo regardless of what colour it was. It appeared on the first two generations of the Supra because they were officially Toyota Celicas. The dragon logo was used for the Celica line until it was also discontinued.

In 1998, Toyota ceased sales of the fourth-generation Supra in the United States. Production of the fourth-generation Supra for worldwide markets ended in 2002. In January 2019, the fifth-generation Supra, which was co-developed with the G29 BMW Z4, was introduced.

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Common 1988 Toyota Supra problems

The Toyota Supra 1988, while a popular choice among car enthusiasts, has some common problems that owners have reported over the years. These issues range from engine-related problems to suspension and steering concerns.

Brake Master Cylinder Wear: In cars with high mileage, the brake master cylinder may wear out, causing the brakes to drag and potentially overheat. This issue is more likely to affect older Supras with a lot of miles on the clock.

Throttle Position Sensor Failure: The throttle position sensor on the Supra is known to wear out sooner than expected, leading to a gradual reduction in power and poor fuel economy. This problem can be resolved by replacing the worn-out sensor with a new one.

Evaporative System Issues: The evaporative system in the Supra can cause problems due to the vapor canister releasing charcoal pellets, which can plug up the vent valve. This issue can lead to high pressure in the gas tank and failure in emissions tests.

Steering Wheel Shudder When Braking: This problem is caused by warped front rotors, which can be re-machined or replaced to prevent recurrence. Additionally, some later models of the Supra may have a configuration problem in the steering tie rod, causing vibration fatigue failure.

Cylinder Head Gasket Failure: This issue is often caused by incorrect torque of the cylinder head bolts, resulting in overheating and white smoke from the exhaust. A replacement cylinder head gasket is required to resolve this problem.

Suspension and Steering Concerns: The Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension (TEMS) system, which was an optional feature in some Supras, has been criticized for being pointless, as it doesn't significantly improve the car's performance. Some owners have chosen to remove this system for better driving dynamics.

Targa Top Issues: The targa top in some Supras may have leaks after 20+ years, and the seals can be expensive to replace. Additionally, the chassis flex can cause vibration and vague steering when driving with the roof off.

Lack of Modding Parts for Early Models: For the earlier MA70 Supra models with the 7M-GE/GTE motors, there are hardly any modding parts available, making it difficult to customize these cars.

Transmission Concerns: The a340 transmission in many A70 Supras is an automatic, 3-speed overdrive, which can become drone-y at high speeds. Manual conversions are possible, but they can be expensive and may cost more than the car itself.

In summary, the Toyota Supra 1988 has several common problems that owners have reported, ranging from engine and transmission issues to suspension and steering concerns. While these issues can be frustrating, many of them can be addressed with replacement parts or simple fixes.

Is the 1988 Supra a good car?

Its powerful, a blast to drive, good on gas, and really good looking if kept in good shape. Literally the only complaint I have with the car is that its a little hard to fit in the back but that's probably the product of the fact that I'm 6' 6" and its a coupe.

Are old Toyota Supras reliable?

While the Toyota Supra MK 4 is widely regarded as a very reliable modern classic, it still has problems that it's more prone to.

Is the 1989 Toyota Supra reliable?

Used to own this car

I bought the 1989 with 158,000 miles and had no doubts it would easily surpass 300,000 miles without any major engine problems. Toyota does it RIGHT.

What is a 1988 Supra worth?

The Toyota Supra 1988 prices range from $3,080 for the basic trim level Hatchback Supra base to $6,600. The Toyota Supra 1988 comes in Hatchback.

Is the 1988 Supra a good car?

Are old Toyota Supras reliable?

While the Toyota Supra MK 4 is widely regarded as a very reliable modern classic, it still has problems that it's more prone to.

Is the 1989 Toyota Supra reliable?

Used to own this car

I bought the 1989 with 158,000 miles and had no doubts it would easily surpass 300,000 miles without any major engine problems. Toyota does it RIGHT.

Why was the Supra banned?

The Supra was never illegal. There was chronic vehicle issues that caused the NHTSA to ban the vehicle. It was not illegal ever. The chronic reliability issues caused bad sales that resulted in the vehicle being discontinued in the United States in 1998.

1988 Toyota Supra car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Supra problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Structure problems
Engine and engine cooling problems
Electrical system problems
Unknown or other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Toyota Supra vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1988 Toyota Supra complaints

The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Toyota Supra.

2013-08-15

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1991-12-11
VIN: JT2MA70J2J0
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: I JUST WANTED TO STATE THAT IN 1991, SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED MY USED 1988 SUPRA, MY TARGA TOP ALSO HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK (OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE) BY DECEMBER OF THAT YEAR. DURING HEAVY RAINS, IT WAS QUITE BAD AND I HAD TO CARRY SEVERAL TOWELS AS A PRECAUTION. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED NEW RUBBER SEALS WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY DID IT FOR FREE AS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION! IT IS NOW 2013 (22 YEARS LATER) AND I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT A LEAK IN A RAINSTORM. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 146,00 ORIGINAL. I OCCASIONALLY RUB SOME GLYCERIN ON THE SEAL WHICH MAY BE HELPING. THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR AND IT IS STILL GOING STRONG AFTER 25 YEARS IN TEXAS! *TR

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2002-09-06

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: JT2MA70L3J0
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: THE RADIATOR WAS SERVICED FIVE TIMES. THE HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO FLAW IN ENGINE DESIGN. *YH

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2002-03-19

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1990-01-15
Number Of Injuries: 2
Number Of Deaths: 1
VIN: JT2MA71J2J0
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: HERE'S MY COMPLAINT, THE TARGA TOP ON MY 88 TOYOTA SUPRA, HAS LEAKED EVER SINCE I GOT THE CAR IN 1990. EVERYONE WHOM I HAVE SPOKE TO WITH A TARGA TOP, HAS TOLD ME THAT THEIR TARGA TOPS LEAK. SO, WITH THIS BEING THE CASE I'M SURE IF YOU DO SOME RESEARCH YOU WILL FIND OUT WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE TARGA TOP, ALONG WITH ITS GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE FROM THE PLANT. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU FIND OUT IF THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON THESE TARGA TOPS AND THEIR GASKETS, AND IF NOT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD POST A CONCERN, OR LET ME KNOW IF ITS POSSIBLE TO GET A REPLACEMENT TOP AND GASKETS FOR MY MUCH LOVED SPORTS CAR. PRESENTLY, I CAN NOT DRIVE IT ON A RAINY DAY BECAUSE I'LL BE SOAKED WITHIN JUST MINUTES OF THE DOWN POUR. I THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, AND IF YOU ARE ABLE TO FIND OUT IF TOYOTA IS WILLING TO REPLACE THE FAULTY GASKETS AND TARGA TOP, I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT. CURRENTLY, I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THE POURING IN OF WATER IS GOING TO SHORT OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR. I GUESS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS, ITS LIKE HAVE SOMEONE POUR A PITCHER OF WATER ON YOU WHILE YOU DRIVE. IN 1990 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I USED A TOWEL IN MY LAP TO CATCH THE WATER, BUT KNOW THE LEAK IS SO BAD I WOULD PROBABLY NEED THREE TOWELS, AND SOME GOGGLES TO KEEP THE WATER OUT OF MY EYES. I KNOW IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS FARTHER YOU WILL FIND PLENTY OF OTHER SUPRA OWNERS WITH MY SAME COMPLAINT. BEING THAT THESE ROOFS AND SIDE DOOR GASKERS ARE FAULTY, THEY WILL IN NO DOUBT CAUSE HARM TO SOMEONE OR OTHER DRIVERS IF THEY ARE NOT FIXED. I'VE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES, BECAUSE OF THIS ON GOING PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME GET SOME REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT WILL PREVENT THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPENING TO OTHERS. THANK YOU, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU, IF YOU CAN HELP ME OUT. OR AT LEAST GIVE ME SOME AVENUES.*AK *TR

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2002-03-19

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1990-01-15
Number Of Injuries: 2
VIN: JT2MA71J2J0
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME PREVENT POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS CAUSED FROM ENGINEERING ERROR ON IN THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE TARGA TOP ON THE 1987-1992 TOYOTA SUPRAS, EVERYONE WHOM I SPOKEN TO WHOM OWNS A SUPRA WITH THE TARGA TOP HAS TOLD ME THEY ALL LEAK. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR THE LEAK WAS SMALL, BUT ITS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, AND AS OF NOW, I ONLY USE IT AS A WEEKEND CAR WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING, BUT FOR THOSE SOULS WHOM DO NOT HAVE THIS OPTION, THEY ARE PUTTING THEMSELVES, AS WELL AS OTHERS AT RISK IN CONTINUING TO DRIVE THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. BECAUSE WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS INTO THE DRIVING COMPARTMENT MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AND SEE FREE FROM THE WATER POURING INTO THE COMPARTMENT, NOT TO MENTION, WITH THE WATER POURING IN LIKE IT DOES, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE WATER WILL SHORT OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE DASH. SO, AT THIS TIME I PLEAD WITH YOU THAT A RECALL MIGHT BE PUT INTO PLACE, TO PREVENT INJURY TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. AND I MYSELF WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REPLACEMENT GASKET & PERHAPS NEW TARGA TOP, WHERE ONE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THEIR CAR FREE FROM GETTING WET. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SMALL REQUEST, AND I AM SURE PLENTY OF OTHER SUPRA OWNERS WILL BE RELIEVED, NOT TO MENTION MAKING THE ROADS SAFER FOR ALL OF US TO DRIVE ON. I'VE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES, AND A FENDER BENDER OVER THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME BE ABLE TO GET A SOLUTION TO THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. I DO HOPE IF YOU ARE ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING OUT FROM TOYOTA, OR IF THEY HAVE NEW DESIGNED GASKETS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. I THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, AND HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

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2000-06-05

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2000-05-24
Fire: 1
VIN: JT2MA7OLXJ0
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: AFTER TAKING VEHICLE FOR A SAFETY CHECK CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 200 MILES AND HEARD TWO BANGS. THEN, TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HIGH. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, AND ENTIRE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED TO THE GROUND.*AK

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1998-01-05

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1997-12-21
Fire: 1
VIN: JT2MA71J5J0
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FOR UNKNOWN REASON WHILE IN MOTION ON FREEWAY.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1988 Toyota Supra problems:

So what are really the common problems for an mkiii? | Supra Forums

https://www.supraforums.com/threads/so-what-are-really-the-common-problems-for-an-mkiii.106176/

Feb 25, 2003 ... A nice MK3 will cost you less than half of the price of a beat up SC300. The common problems on a MK3: Power steering hose, Knock sensours ...

1988 Toyota Supra MKIII: Intermittent Starting Problem - Q&A on ...

https://www.justanswer.com/car/00t6r-toyota-supra-mkiii-intermittent-starting-problem-electrical.html

Mar 26, 2005 ... From reading message boards I have found that this is a common Supra MKIII problem, but the answers have been diverse, anything from alternator, ...

Are MKIII's reliable. | Supra Forums

https://www.supraforums.com/threads/are-mkiiis-reliable.115157/

Apr 9, 2003 ... No, they're not that reliable, and if yours is, you're lucky. It's an old car that was likely abused during it's life, which starts to wear over ...

Why Owning an Older Supra Isn't Great | CarThrottle

https://www.carthrottle.com/posts/why-owning-older-supra-isnt-great

Dec 4, 2015 ... Virtually no engines mods and nobody recognises it. There are common problems with mk2 supras too. Maybe I should do a write up on 2nd ...