Toyota Denies Warranty For GR Corolla Fire, Claims Tires Rated Below 85 MPH

Toyota has denied responsibility and warranty coverage after a GR Corolla’s engine erupted in flames last month, suggesting that high-speed driving and possibly even the tires are at fault for the fiery incident.

We first reported on the incident in mid-June. Dashcam footage showed the owner of the spicy hot hatch cruising down a North Carolina highway at around 85 mph (137 km/h) when the engine suddenly gave out. White smoke began seeping into the cabin while black smoke billowed from the exhaust. Realizing something was amiss, the driver pulled over and quickly called the fire department.

Read: Toyota GR Corolla Erupts In Flames As Dashcam Captures It All

Fire crews promptly arrived on the scene, but not before the inferno took hold and destroyed the front half of the car.

The owner reached out to Toyota corporate, hoping for assistance with replacing the car. Instead, Toyota’s reply summarized the incident, noted the damage as well as a previous accident report on Carfax that occurred in February 2024, and then went on to state that the GR Corolla should not be driven over 85 mph without “high-speed capability tires.”

A fire inspector analyzed the car on June 24, 2024, noting a small hole on the engine block’s upper side, and found oil residue was sitting on the turbocharger, the bottom of the engine, the undercarriage, and the exhaust pipes.

“The owner’s manual warns not drive in excess of the speed limit,” Toyota’s reply says. “Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 85 mph unless your vehicle has high-speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds. Based on our inspection findings and the facts relating to this incident, we cannot provide any assistance in this matter.”

The comments about the tires are puzzling. The GR Corolla comes from the factory with Michelin rubber rated well above 85 mph. Tires rated below 85 mph are typically found only on trailers or spare wheels. Even the most basic Q-rated winter tires handle speeds up to 99 mph (160 km/h), while most entry-level passenger vehicles use S or T-rated tires, which are safe up to 112 mph (180 km/h) and 118 mph (190 km/h), respectively.

We have contacted the owner to determine the tires used at the time of the incident and will update the story once we have their response.

Here’s Toyota’s full response:

“You reported that you were driving on a highway when you noticed the vehicle began to make a strange noise (like a rod knocking). You then noticed the oil temperature was high and the vehicle sounded a warning. You pulled over, exited the vehicle, opened the hood and saw fire at the rear of the engine. 911 was called and the fire department arrived approximately 5 minutes later to extinguish the flames.

You stated that approximately 30 days prior to the incident, you had taken the vehicle to a Toyota dealer for an oil change and a fuel issue that was repaired.

In response to your concerns, a vehicle inspection was conducted on June 24, 2024 at Copart by an EAA (Engineering Analysis Associates) fire inspector. The last reported odometer reading of the vehicle was 23,413 miles. Per the CARFAX report, on February 12, 2024, accident damage was reported to the front, the left front, the right front and the right rear.

At the time of the inspection, the vehicle had fire damage to the front and the engine compartment. The inboard side of the engine block had a small hole on the upper side from internal engine damage. Oil residue was found at the turbo charger, the bottom of the engine, the undercarriage and exhaust pipes.

The owner’s manual warns not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 85 mph unless your vehicle has high-speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

Based on our inspection findings and the facts relating to this incident, we cannot provide any assistance in this matter.“