2022 GR86 & BRZ *RTV ISSUE* Everything you need to know! 

Really hoping a recall comes. There is no reason I should have to babysit my own BRAND NEW car's internals and dropping the oil pan like this, because of the potential of the engine completely seizing.

This is really good. If consumers do NOTHING, companies will walk all over us. We NEED to demand accountability otherwise we will get screwed over.

As a GR86 owner since May 2022, I really hope Toyota will announce a recall ASAP. I will be participating in the NASA track in November, and now I am concerned about engine failure during the track at any given time.

As a new owner of a GR 86, an unaware of this problem, I have to say this was a great video. Thank you for this!

This is the most informative RTV issue video I’ve seen so far

Well well well... it happened My condolences kev, i highly appreciate the promised update👍

Glad that Toyota is getting so much flack for this, I watched Blake's story unfold and it's unbelievable that they would've handled it like that.

Thank you so much for being concise and clear 😭 As someone who doesnt know much bout cars, I understood everything you said.

Thankyou for this vid. Gives me a much better understanding of what's going on. Tempted to do the first oil change myself so i can have a good look at what comes out and then take it to the dealership for it's official "first" one.

I look forward to seeing what you find. So far I have not seen a single person drop their oil pan to find a clean pickup tube. Not 1.

Hi Kevin. Great explain! And man, what can you talk, don't forget to breath. :) You can sell everything, you will have a great future!

Excellent video, now I understand this issue perfectly

K-Vooooooooo! Thanks for the 86/BRZ content as always! I will plan to keep driving and enjoying mine until i hit 5k. If Toyota/Subaru hasnt announced anything by then, I will be having the pan dropped for inspection/peace of mind. It seems the worst ones I have seen have been around 5k-8k miles with about 80+% blockage. I think the scariest part is, if your borescope shows no excess, and your dipstick doesnt show excess, and the pick up tube is clogged, the only 100% sure way to know is to drop the pan to look in the pick up tube

Awsome video! great research! answered a lot of my questions!

thanks Kevin, very knowledgeable as always

It's crazy how a similar issue happened with the 2013 models recall. The only difference being the excess RTV was applied for the recall and now the new ones come with it from the factory.

I'm glad they honoured the warranty.

Excellent video. My GR86 is being built right now. I hope they've fixed whatever it was that went wrong in the factory.

Very educational. Thanks for the explanations.

I was looking to buy either the gr86 or the 22 corolla hatchback in manual. I ultimately decided on the corolla for the Toyota engine in it. glad I did

Currently own a 2015 BRZ and fortunately have only had to do routine maintenance, I have been calling around to put money down for a track red gr86, but after reading and watching more about this issue, it looks like I'll keep waiting.

Great video! Question, is this also happening with the GR68 2023 models also? Mimi Premium comes in any day now so just want to be caught up on things to bring it to the dealers attention. Thanks as always!

Ty Kevin for addressing the issue to the community, that will really help me to think 🤔 twice before making a purchase on these 2nd gen 86s, this is not kool that Toyota is not taking full responsibility in the first place after it came to this magnitude!! This is just sad, both Subaru and Toyota need to recall these cars, or else ppl just gonna file a class action lawsuit against them, then this will get their attention, we all know how this is gonna go down !!!

Wow, this is insane. I would stay clear of this car until a warranty comes out and they have a proper solution to further builds.

Thanks dude! Ever since I got my gr86 I've been following your channel. Great quality man, keep it coming!! Getting close to 1k miles on mine so im gonna boroscope the oil pan and see if I can see excess rtv. Wish me luck!

Was going to order a 2023 GR86 but there's no way I will now with this disaster of an issue. What a great way to screw up an otherwise good car. Well done.

RTV was used extensively on my Prius which had all kinds pf leaks when I move to different weather conditions. The glue decompesses and contracts depending on weather temperature. I had so many leaks to deal worth thousands of dollars to fix.

Bro I don’t even own an 86 or FRS, I drive a hyundai kona 😂, im not even a car guy!!! But this channel is so good damn now I want an 86, videos are amazing!!!!

If you are concerned with any flaw your car may have that could lead to potential safety in terms of a defect, file a complaint with nhtsa. If enough go through, they will open up an investigation and if they deem it enough to be worthy of a recall, they would make the company do it or they get shut down.

I used RTV on my wife's camry oil pan for a gasket. it's a v6 engine I stripped the oil pan during a oil change. this was about 6 years ago and never had a problem.

Toyota/Subaru need to issue a recall for this. I've seen too many videos of newer 86s failing on the track despite not pushing it too hard I'll be waiting before I finally pick one of these up, hopefully near future models have this issue solved

This is truly astonishing to me. I’ve working military aircraft for 21 years and I have never seen RTV used for an engine. We you crush gaskets or o-rings. Honestly not that much more expensive. Adhesive for some reason gets this credit like it’s the savior of everything.

great video and very informative!

Thanks for the informative video! Will there be a part two, showing if your car had any RTV in the pick up or if it was clean?

Went to my dealership at 11500km with my 22 BRZ to do the oil pan re-seal and they only found one little bit of rtv sillicone inside! Nothing to be scared of on my part ! And everything was done under warranty ! The technician who worked on my car said to me that a lot of subarus did this but it was really rare that their engines were blown because of it ! But still, subaru should be aware of the excess sillicone used to seal the pan ! We just have to check our oil frequently and change it at least every 5000kms and it should be fine !

Looking cool standing in front of the car xD Thanks for the video!

Thank you so much for this video! Based on all of the reviews, and videos I've seen around this car, I have been seriously considering selling my 95 Miata, and trading in my AWD Mazda 3 premium to simplify my life, and have one car to do all the things I need and want from a vehicle. Just test drove a 2022 with 7,000 mi on it, and fell in love 🥰. Now doing research to determine if it's actually a smart and a mature decision. Frankly, this issue gives me serious pause. My Miata has 206,000 mi, and has never experienced a mechanical failure in spite of multiple track days, and two trips cross country. Previously I had a 91 Acura Integra, that I sold with 282,000 mi, again without a single mechanical failure in spite of the fact that I drive my cars like I stole them. Reliability is even more important to me than having a car that feels like a soulmate. The dealership is telling me they offer a 12-month bumper to bumper, and the full remaining factory warranty on the car, but given the story you shared, I'm not sure that's enough to assuage my concerns. Regardless, really appreciate your thoughtful and informative video signed- Sitting on the fence 😬

Was going to buy Gr86, but I'm going to buy something else now. Thanks for the heads up. 😮

Excellent video. Thank you! New subscriber here.

Excellent recap of issue. Not sure how you come to the opinion that it is not an issue in every car and that it’s not going to effect a large number of owners. In your case, no big deal… you drop the pan and service it periodically. But for anyone who can’t do that, how so you get comfortable that it is not accumulating over time without going to a dealer who may screw you. Been there.. done that with other services. Hopefully you report your findings in your vehicle. Thanks.

Damn! Nooooo! I been driving my 2013 Scion FRS since June 1, 2012. Will never forget that feeling. Been looking at the GR86 and love everything about it. It's cheap really want it, but damn this is sketchy!!!

I was going to buy a 2024 GR86, but scared away due to this RTV issue. I don't plan on tracking it, but it is a car I would of used as a daily and hope to keep it for a decade. With the RTV issue I worry about the reliability and longevity especially with how subaru is getting a bad rap with class action law suites against them for electronics and other things. I did today ask the sales manager the local "stealership" who has 2 GR86's coming in (so basically need to put a deposit down to lock them in) if the RTV issue was fixed on the 2024 models. His response was "we have not heard anything from Toyota regarding this issue for 2023 or 2024. Unless its big enough where Toyota will have a recall, I am not really sure what this issue is and how many cars are impacted." The GR86 checks all the boxes for me, but I can't move forward taking my hard earned cash and putting it into this since I feel Subaru has been making engines for a long time and this sounds like a simple fix to me - and the fact they are keeping everyone in the dark tells me they are not doing anything to fix the problem. The cars are 34k msrp where I live, vs 29k msrp. Just way to much to buy for something that may turn into a headache down the road. Really appreciate posting this video and educating folks on this. WRX and GR86 are great cars, but when I think of Subaru I don't think "reliability". I owned a 1998 Subara Imprezza 2.5RS. I bought it new and 4k miles after ownership, the engine had to be rebuilt due to some defect. At 26k miles, the drive-shaft fell off when driving down the highway. I avoided Subaru's ever since that experience but was willing to give them a 2nd chance with the GR86, but the red flags still in 2024 with this RTV issue tells me Subaru hasn't changed much since 1998. I have no idea why Reliability is not applied to making a vehicle to build loyal folks especially with how crazy expensive cars are these days - we need it to last for many many years.

Wow thank you so much for your intel/information on this, very much appreciated! 👏🏻❤️ I just purchased my 2023 GR86 Premium about a month ago and I'm about to hit 500 miles. I was wondering, will this apply for the 2023 as well? I'm going to take my car into the dealership at 1,000 miles to get this checked out, hopefully they can do this under my warranty! If not, I will definitely be extremely upset at this bozo move from Toyota.

Excellent video. I canceled my order on 2023 BRZ even though i luv the car. For current owners, i would suggest installing an oil pressure gauge to assist in monitoring pluggage and restrictions.

Yep, pass until a full recall. You can’t trust any of them unless you drop the pan yourself. Even then, you have no idea of the excess wear due to oil starvation.

Scarborough dealership in Ontario said there are no plans for a recall and that I can come in if something is wrong with the car. Except there's no way if telling if something if wrong until a serious problem happens.

Totally appreciate this video -- As a GR86 owner, I'm just going to drive and enjoy my car. Warranty is there for a reason and my dealership's been pretty good with me, so I trust they'll take care of me throughout its ownership.

Damn - this car is on my short list of vehicles I was planning on picking up in the next month or so. I am still in the research phase, but this bums me out.

I'm curious why only 1 bearing is getting trashed in these failures. Is RTV getting into oil passages for only one bearing or something like that journal gets slightly less oil so it is the first to fail? Usually the oil pump chews that up and oil starvation causes equal damage/failure to all journals. The new oil pickup has plenty of surface area unless that entire pickup gets plugged (all 5 sides of the screen). It seems like there is an underlying issue, possibly exacerbated by RTV in the oil passages. The use of 0w-20 in high performance environments comes to mind....

I've been looking at buying the 2023 gr86 hopefully this issue has been resolved. Really it should be a simple fix they should be able to go in and change the specs on the amount of RTV dispensed omfron the robotic assembly machines.

Sober, informative and well done video. I'm not remotely concerned about this issue. Take care of your car properly during the break-in period, get your oil changed frequently (1000km, 2000km, 5000km) during the car's infancy, and monitor the behavior of the car. Take the appropriate steps if you have an issue. New cars have problems. It's not unique to the Toyobaru. While I think this incident was a learning experience for all involved, further exacerbating the situation by acting like a baby on internet forums and FB groups won't help people who don't share the isolated experience of the denied warranty claim and the madness that followed. Keep up the good work 🫡

Great video, Kevin! Helpful and informative. I see you mentioned the RTV issue won't affect the majority of drivers, are you more so referring to us drivers who aren't planning on tracking/autocrossing the car? I got my GR86 about 3 months ago, and im barely at 600 miles. I've seen most people drop their oil pans and check their pickups anywhere between 4k-8k miles. At what mileage intervals should I finally start checking? If I'm just dailying it, at what point in time should I actually be worried about the pick up being clogged up?

This issue is a ticking time bomb , I’ll look elsewhere until the next year model

Can you do a video on the PCV clamp for the 22 wrx please?

Im getting my first oil change at 5k, im extremely nervous about the RTV issue. I'm going to have toyota do it.

Just change the RTV to gasket. Gasket will not leak if torqued properly. I am thinking about buying one so if I do, the first thing I would do is change the oil pan rtv to gasket.

Isn’t there an oil pressure warning when the oil screen gets blocked?

I am glad at least they granted the warranty haha but sheesh it took them the entire media to go upset about it

Been a subaru issue for many years before the brz

Great video. In case SoA sees this, I was between ordering a 2023 Miata or a BRZ (called local dealers asking to place order when the order banks open) and I plan on getting a Miata because of this silicone debacle. Has it been corrected by now? I would hope, but why would i take that chance when SoA hasn't confirmed this has been corrected? This is a nightmare scenario to me, even if there isn't enough silicone to starve the engine outright initially, bits of silicone floating around, eventually sticking to internal oil passages is not something I want to worry about in a new car. Yes Mazda has trans issues with the ND but they kept revising it and have been good about replacing failed trans when they do occur.

The only issue with Subaru's is their engines. Most will not know but as a Subaru tech back in the early 2000's we were resealing front covers and sumps all the time due to leaking. Seems that now they are putting on too much to compensate... Its a consistent problem they have had all the way up until now and I guess they still haven't clued up to it, despite the thousands potentially spent on warranty repairs. Ive always laughed at the fact Toyota uses a Subaru engine...they picked the worst part of a Subaru and its biting them hard... RTV seems to be Subaru's heel of sorts.

Japanese manufacturers USED to honor customer complaints with the attitude "are you happy?". Not are you satisfied with legal obligations but all the way to "happy"' Last 20 years it's been adaption of the American attitude "you don't like it sue me". Good to see someone at Toyota old enough to remember what made them great and Honda great was customer service. And this issue is keeping me from a new BRZ.

I am considering to purchase the Toyota GR86 2023 (Automatic) next year but I have some concerns. Lets say I want to purchase this car and since I now know RTV is a common and severe issue with Subaru BRZ and the GR86, am I able to have them check for RTV residue in the oil pickup tube before I purchase it? or do I have to purchase the car first and bring it to a dealership for RTV checkup? I really do want this car though.

Good content, Looking forward to the next video. I got the 2012 scion frs back then. Planning to get the GR86 but wanna see how this situation pans out first.

I was going to buy a GR86 but after all this today I ordered a 2023 Honda TYPE R

Thanks!!!!!

Anymore updates since? I'm still really looking to get one of these.

just do 1 time drop oil pan and re-seal it will fix rtv issue ? Im planning to buy gr86 This concern would make my decision to buy gr86 thx for answer !

Does anyone know if Toyota-Subaru has corrected this for 2023 models? Thanks.

I thought it was the dealer that Blake went through that searched his social media and denied not, not Toyota itself?

Wow just saw a video about this on Devin Niemela’s channel.

I really want a gr86 but i want it so I can go fast , if the rtv is gonna be a constant problem I might look into buying something else , what do you guys recommend ?

This has been an issue since the early days of the FRS/GT86. That is what happens when they replaced rubber gaskets with RTV

Ive driven everything worth driving. This is the best most fun sports car on sale today ( sorry porsche ) but this is killing it

Soooo, when the 2024 one comes out and I buy it... am I gonna have this issue? Or have they fixed it?

So glad I got the ND Miata

Any idea if the 2024 has this issue?

How long should we wait until bringing this to the dealership to get it checked for RTV issues?

Subaru Australia has been equally terrible tbh, when I contacted them about the issue and asked if a TSB was forthcoming, they said there were no known issues in Australia and that if I were to get the intake check done at a mechanic it could void warranty. If I did it myself, it would definitely void warranty. They also refused to provide a quote if they were to do the check themselves. In a crack up turn of events, they also provided a link to their generic T&C's detailing how warranty can be voided, and if you suspect an issue and do nothing to investigate further, guess what, warranty voided. At this stage, I'm driving it as a daily, and following the shitshow that was trying to deal with SA's support team, I dgaf if it blows any more.

Is it possible to drop the oil pan and fix the issue preemptively?

I’ve been looking up to buying this car in the future but now I don’t really want to since this happens to the GR86/BRZ :(

Does this RTV issue count for the first gen 86/brz too? So far, my 18' model 86 with 56k miles on it has been doing well so far with basic maintenance and some occasional spirited drive and small track usage.

Apparently the dealer denied it but Toyota didn't know b

If you are worried that the dealer didn’t drop the oil pan then just look for black rtv..

Just as bad as the oil pickups in Subarus cracking and killing motors. They continued to put the same crappy pickup in cars even though it's an easy fix that can prevent the destruction of an engine. getting the knowledge out there that this is a thing considering it's fixable for the cost of a tube of RTV can hopefully save a lot of engines.

Any chance for someone to design a tool to suck silicone sludge from oil pickup going in through the sump plug my two cents

holy shit. i was about to buy a gr86... now im wondering if that's the right move? also, can people simply remove the RTV and install traditional gaskets?

are there any new headlight assemblies coming for the 2015 ForesterXT ?

I own a 2013 BRZ and got it resealed at a local dealer. I found out later that they overused RTV and it clogged my oil pickup screen. Now my car is broken and the Subaru dealership nor SOA wants to fix it even though I paid thousands for the “repair”

Any news on a recall for the RTV issue?! If I should have a problem will toyota take care of it .....or crap on me like they I think his name was Blake in the story?!

What about where the excess rtv is coming from? Is it from the oil pan rtv, or is it coming from somewhere else and falling into the pan?

It’s wild that Subaru used so much RTV in this engine.

Does the old 86/brz first gen have this problem i was planning on getting a low milage used one since i live near hills with roads people barely use

Will we experience this issue if we daily this car? I imagine most of this issue is from tracking it.

What about the folks who have cars where the pickup screen is partially blocked? This can be an issue by ruining the motor over time without the owner not even being aware. Maybe a good idea to install an oil pressure gauge in these cars.

I called university Subaru about mine a couple weeks ago and the service tech literally said he hasn't heard anything about it

Does this effect the 2023 gr86 also?

Wasn't there a similar problem regarding the first gen cars? I vaguely remember that there was a recall of some type, and during the repairs, the Toyota technicians (who at the time were unfamiliar with the Subaru engine) were using too much RTV, with predictably bad results. The BRZs got repaired correctly because the Subaru technicians had more experience. I'm sure someone out there can correct me if I have this all wrong.

Another reason to wait for them to release the 3 cylinder turbo verison.

Does the GR Yaris or the new GR Corolla have this exact same RTV issue?