Shifterati

Toyota Supra · 4th gen (1993–1998)

1997 Toyota Supra

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

  • Crash damage and bad modifications All years Walk away if found

    What to check: Run a history check, look for filled panels with a paint-thickness gauge, and ask what was changed and by whom.

    Classic & Sports Car says most have been modified, often badly, and many have crashed, and an incomplete history may hide serious problems. Hagerty's specialist also warns of filled panels and of wiring harnesses changed by past owners.

    Sources 1,2

  • A non-turbo converted to turbo All years One source so far

    What to check: Check the VIN and build against what the seller says it is.

    Hagerty's specialist names a converted non-turbo as a trap for buyers.

    Sources 2

  • Worn turbos or turbo controls All years

    What to check: Feel for boost below 4,000 rpm and a clean handover at 4,000 rpm, listen for whine or grinding there, and look for smoke at start-up, under load and on overrun.

    Hagerty's specialist says the second turbo can whine or grind near 4,000 rpm, its small shaft can bend, and turbo seals leak with age. Classic & Sports Car says a turbo that does nothing may only have a failed actuator.

    Sources 2,1

  • Dried hoses and tired ignition parts All years

    What to check: Look at the hoses, coil wires and cam sensor connectors, and for coolant leaks at the radiator and expansion tank.

    Sources 2,1

  • Automatic input shaft and second gear All years One source so far

    Hagerty's specialist names the input shaft as a weak point, and says second gear's sprag can fail under hard use.

    Sources 2

  • Rust in the rear lower quarter panels All years One source so far

    What to check: Look at the bottoms of the rear quarter panels, where water collects.

    Sources 2

  • Timing belt due All years One source so far

    What to check: Ask for the service history and when the cambelt was changed.

    Classic & Sports Car gives 50,000 miles or five years between changes.

    Sources 1

Recalls

  • 20V033000 1997–1998

    The driver's airbag inflator can absorb moisture, which may make it rupture or under-inflate the airbag. The inflator is replaced.3,4,5

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Sources

  1. Classic & Sports Car (A80 guide)
  2. Hagerty (Smithology on the Mk IV)
  3. NHTSA recalls (1997 Supra)
  4. NHTSA recalls (1998 Supra)
  5. NHTSA campaign 20V033000