Model year guide

1988 Toyota Supra

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Toyota Supra is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

1988 Toyota Supra — representative photo
Representative photo

1988 Toyota Supra at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints6
Combined18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Toyota Supra recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1988 Toyota Supra.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1988 Toyota Supra common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1988 Toyota Supra MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume74 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1988 Toyota Supra costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
181.9 in
Width
68.9 in
Height
51.6 in
Wheelbase
102.4 in
Curb weight
3,459 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Toyota Supra. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 17

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.

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 vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it.…

Bulletin Toyota PRO19-02 · Tires, Wheels, Equipment · Jan 2022

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17 Obs · Equipment · Apr 2020

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin PG004-97-Obsolet · Equipment · Aug 2018

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin PG006-01-Obsolet · Equipment · Aug 2018

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 should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information cont…

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17_Rev · Equipment · Jul 2018

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 T-SB-0144-08. Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-9…

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17_Rev · Equipment · Jan 2018

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin T-SB-0144-08_Obs · Equipment · Nov 2017

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 the request meets one of the criteria listed in this Service…

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17 · Structure · Oct 2017

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. T-SB-0101-11 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be disc…

Bulletin TSB018217 · Electrical System · Jan 2017

Update on Technician Certification Requirements.

Bulletin Safety Recall an · Equipment · Jul 2016

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SUPRA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Toyota Supra

The Toyota Supra is a sports car and grand tourer manufactured and developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation beginning in 1978. The name "supra" is taken from the Latin prefix meaning "above", "to surpass" or "go beyond".

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1988 Toyota Supra vehicles on record

1988 Toyota Supra 1988 Toyota SupraJT1LBMA7000119574 1988 Toyota Supra 1988 Toyota SupraJT1LBMA7000092629 1988 Toyota Supra 1988 Toyota SupraJT1LBMA7000087506 1988 Toyota Supra 1988 Toyota SupraJT1LBMA7000115872

Other Toyota Supra model years

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 1999 1997 1995 1994 1993 1991 1990 1989 1987 1986 1983

1988 Toyota Supra — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Toyota Supra have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1988 Toyota Supra. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Toyota Supra?

Across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, engine and engine cooling, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Toyota Supra get?

The 1988 Toyota Supra has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.