ToyotaMR21991Overview/toyota/mr2/1991/base/

1991 Toyota MR2

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 MR2.

The 1991 Toyota MR2 anchors the earliest point of the model's available complaint history spanning through 2005, establishing a useful baseline for researchers tracking the platform's reliability. Proper engine maintenance for this iteration relies on a 4.1-quart oil capacity using 10W-30 or 5W-30 API viscosity to keep the powertrain operating as specified. In the context of long-term durability, this specific year logged 13 owner complaints primarily focused on the Engine & Engine Cooling category, alongside a single recall. Although this complaint volume is notably higher than the single complaint recorded for the 1992 model year, it sits well below the 32-complaint peak reached in 2002, positioning 1991 as a year with moderate, documented issues rather than the most problematic point in the model's timeline.

Model year200520042003200120001995199419931991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1 alt 90915YZZF1
Engine air filter178017402083
Fuel filter2330079275
Spark plug9091901164 alt 9091901231
Front wiper blades8522217010 alt 8521217060
Serpentine belt909160236578 alt 993647083083
Thermostat9091603075 alt 1632562010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length164.2 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height48.8 in
Wheelbase94.5 in
Curb weight2626 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)44/56

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MR2 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 1991 Turbo Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1991Turbo Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.80 sec200 hpRWD
1992Turbo Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec200 hpRWD
1993Turbo Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-46.50 sec15.40 sec200 hpRWD
1995Turbo Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.80 sec200 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.1 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.1 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Toyota MR2 exhibits a notably higher rate of federal complaints at 13 and 1 recall, standing in sharp contrast to the 1 complaint in 1992 and 4 in 1993. For 1991, complaints are concentrated in Engine & Engine Cooling (3), Steering (2), Latches/Locks/Linkages (2), and Air Bags (2), with 2 fire complaints and 1 crash complaint reported, though the data does not specify the root causes for these incidents. Across the generation, the complaint trend shows an initial spike in 1991, a steep decline through 1993, and a dramatic late-generation resurgence in 2002 and 2003 with 32 and 31 complaints, respectively. Sitting at the apex of this early-production arc, 1991's elevated figures imply first-year production issues that were largely mitigated by the 1992 model year, which maintained the same recall count and 26 TSBs but saw complaints drop to just 1. Because the 1991 model carries a disproportionately higher complaint volume and associated fire and crash incidents compared to the immediately succeeding year, it is not the optimal year to purchase; a 1992 model represents a significantly safer used buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
26
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
13
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 13 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling3
Steering2
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Air Bags2
Unknown Or Other1
Steering,Air Bags1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

91V223000Air BagsReported 24/12/1991

THE DRIVER'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM (STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG) EXCEEDS THE 60G THORAX CRITERION IN NHTSA CRASH TESTS. Remedy: REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL WITH A MODIFIED WHEEL DESIGNED FOR INCREASED ENERGY ABSORPTION.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 26 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
T-SB-0032-20 Rev2021-02-03EquipmentTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
T-SB-0304-17 Obs2020-04-07EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…
T-SB-0032-202020-04-06EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MR2. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 MR2 take?

4.1 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 MR2 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.