Trouble at the Start
Ahead of its scheduled discontinuation in March 2026, Toyota has recalled the GR Supra over a starter motor issue. According to BMW, “unexpected wear” on an internal component could cause the motor to fail and, in rare cases, increase the risk of a thermal event or fire.
The voluntary recall does not specify which engine variant is affected. However, it appears to be related to a previous safety campaign launched last year that involved approximately 1,500 model-year 2020–2022 GR Supras equipped with the 2.0-liter B48 turbocharged inline-four, as well as certain BMW models. In that case, water intrusion into the starter motor could lead to corrosion and eventual failure.
A Problem Under the Hood
This time around, Toyota is pulling back roughly 800 vehicles from the 2021–2023 model years. Aside from the aforementioned B48 engine, the model can also be powered by the more potent 3.0-liter B58 turbocharged inline-six. Both versions could potentially be affected, given that the company only discontinued the inline-four option for the 2025 model year, a move widely attributed to low consumer demand. Both engines are sourced from BMW, which helps explain why the GR Supra and the BMW Z4 share numerous mechanical similarities—though that partnership remains polarizing among some enthusiasts.
To determine whether their vehicle is affected, Toyota says owners can enter their VIN on the company’s website or through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recall lookup tool. However, because this is a voluntary recall, the specifics of this particular case may not yet be reflected in the federal agency’s database.
Owners Get a Heads-Up
As a remedy, Toyota dealers will replace the starter motor with an improved unit at no cost to customers, with owner recall notifications scheduled to begin in late March 2026. Until then, owners are advised not to leave their vehicles running unattended, particularly given the potential risk of vehicle fire.
The GR Supra recall follows a separate safety campaign involving more than 162,000 Tundra pickups over a rearview camera defect that violates a federal safety standard. As a result, Toyota has already issued multiple recalls in the first month of 2026, with Ford finding itself in a similar position. The Blue Oval brand has about five recalls so far this year, including one addressing an engine heater issue affecting more than 119,000 vehicles.
