1988 Toyota Supra Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Toyota Supra (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1988 Toyota Supra. The part named most often is body and structure, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure3 50%
- Engine cooling2 33%
- Electrical system1 17%
- Other or unknown1 17%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10535671, filed 2013-08, 35,000 milesEngine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #863004, filed 2000-06Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 35,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Toyota Supra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supra RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Supra RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Toyota Supra in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022Equipment, Wheels, Tires. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10174891Apr 7, 2020Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10145749Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10145748Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10143953Jul 31, 2018Equipment. TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10131713Jan 11, 2018Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and…
- 10133649Nov 21, 2017Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10123420Oct 27, 2017Body and structure. TSB: Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Toyota, provided…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017Electrical system. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles. Service Bulletin No…
- 10145776Jul 21, 2016Equipment. Update on Technician Certification Requirements.
Other model years of the Toyota Supra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2021 | 20 | 13,000 | 5 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2020 | 16 | 1,100 | 8 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 7 | — | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 11 | 95,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 6 | 35,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 7 | — | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Toyota Supra have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1988 Toyota Supra as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Toyota Supra is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1988 Toyota Supra been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Toyota Supra get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Toyota Supra (Supra, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Toyota Supra reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,000 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 35,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.