Toyota

MR2

Two Seaters · model years 1985 to 2005

See all 35 MR2 trims All Toyota cars

The verdict

Best year: 1995. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 4; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Worst year: 1991. complaints: 12, about 3x this model's typical 4; recalls: 1, this model typically has none on file.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Toyota MR2
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1985	1Gas	26	$2,600	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1985
1986	2Gas	25	$2,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1986
1987	2Gas	25	$2,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1987
1988	2Gas	24.5	$2,750	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	4Gas	23.5	$3,175	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1991	3Gas	22	$2,850	1	12	AIR BAGS 23%, STEERING 23%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%
complaints: 12, about 3x this model's typical 4 recalls: 1, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 23 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	3Gas	22	$2,850	1	1	STRUCTURE 100%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 4 recalls: 1, this model typically has none on file Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	3Gas	21	$2,950	0	4	AIR BAGS 25%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%, POWER TRAIN 25%
complaints: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	3Gas	22	$2,850	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	3Gas	22	$2,850	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	1Gas	24	$2,600	0	4	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 50%, AIR BAGS 25%, ENGINE 25%
complaints: 4, about 4x this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	1Gas	24	$2,600	0	2	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 50%, TIRES 50%
complaints: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	1Gas	24	$2,600	0	6	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 29%, POWER TRAIN 29%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 29%
complaints: 6, about 6x this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	2Gas	25	$2,500	0	6	POWER TRAIN 50%, ENGINE 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	2Gas	25.5	$2,450	0	2	POWER TRAIN 100%
complaints: 2, below this model's typical 3 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 85 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	2Gas	25.5	$2,450	0	1	POWER TRAIN 50%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 50%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 3 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 90 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1985: 26 to 2005: 25.5

Owner complaints1991: 12 to 2005: 1

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Toyota MR2 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.