When Laura Young bought her 2019 Toyota 86which shares much of the exterior design, boxer engine and demographics of Subaru’s BRZ, in 2021 it expected to get a reliable car. Because, you know, a marriage between two of the most reliable Japanese automakers of all time carries that promise.

What she didn’t expect, however, was having to replace her engine two years later – after just 64,000 miles – due to what she claims was a manufacturing defect. Since his engine failure occurred 4,000 miles outside of the factory warranty, Toyota denied his request to purchase a new engine.

Young did not take the refusal lightly. Other owners of either car took the opportunity to make the same claim, both for the first generation and current generation models. So she rallied other New Jersey drivers to file a class-action lawsuit against the automakers on July 1.

Young’s complaint alleges that the companies knowingly sold cars to customers that were doomed to fail. His charges report that automakers equipped engines with a type of room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone gasket that was incapable of withstanding the differential temperatures of a performance car.

Over time, temperature variations would cause the seals to weaken and break, allowing bits of silicone to travel into the engine’s oil and coolant channels and, of course, get destroyed.

If it didn’t explode, drivers with the 2.0 and 2.4 liter engine reported oil starvation and oil pressure issues.

Young is seeking $5 million from automakers to go to herself and those involved in the 86/GR86 and BRZ lawsuits and urged the automaker to recall the engine for owners who have not had a power failure. engine. The complaint also wants the companies to extend the factory warranty period.

Models reported in the combination include the 2013-2016 Scion FR, 2017-2023 Toyota 86/GR86 and 2013-2023 Subaru BRZ.

Subaru and Toyota deny that the seals are the cause of the multiple failures.

As the case is ongoing, the trial does not yet have a winner. It is certain that keen eyes will be following the engine trial to see its final results.