Toyota Auris
Toyota's first turbocharged petrol engine for Europe. Direct injection and timing chain, with enough torque for brisk progress. No serious long-term problems known so far; occasional elevated oil consumption.
Small turbo with a warm-up period
85 kW turbo debut — sluggish below 1,500 rpm, lively above. Accept the turbo lag and you get an honest compact car.
Engine Weaknesses 6
A faulty weld on the high-pressure fuel pump causes cracks in the weld seam. Fuel can leak and ignite on hot engine components. Affected: production period November 2017 to November 2022.
Symptoms: Fuel smell in the engine bay, fuel level dropping without explanation
Early production years of the 8NR-FTS are affected by faulty ignition coils and an incompatible engine management software version. Toyota introduced revised software and replacement coils.
Symptoms: Engine stumbling and misfires; check engine light; power drops; vehicle goes into limp mode
As a direct injection engine without fuel wash at the intake valves, the 8NR-FTS builds up heavy carbon deposits. The EGR valve needs cleaning as early as approximately 30,000 km.
Symptoms: Stumble at part throttle; cold-start issues; increased fuel consumption; rough idle
The EGR valve and intake tract foul up quickly with oil mist and combustion residues due to direct injection without port injection. Cleaning or replacement needed from approximately 30,000–50,000 km.
Symptoms: Power loss at low rpm, increased fuel consumption, rough idle, check engine light
The 8NR-FTS tends toward elevated oil consumption, particularly in short-trip operation. Typical for small-displacement turbocharged petrol engines with water-cooled turbos. Regular oil level checks recommended.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level between oil changes, light smoke on cold start
The VVT-iW system produces brief rattling noises on a cold engine due to the oil-pressure-controlled camshaft phaser. Switching between Otto and Atkinson cycles generates audible noise.
Symptoms: Brief rattling or ticking immediately after cold start for 1–3 seconds
Vehicle Weaknesses 11
Longitudinal members and sill transitions are prone to corrosion on vehicles from salt-heavy regions.
On the hybrid Auris the rear brakes are barely used mechanically as regeneration handles deceleration. Brake discs corrode heavily.
Tail lights are not fully sealed and allow moisture ingress. Corrosion on the contacts leads to light failure.
On manually shifted Auris E180 models the clutch wears relatively early, especially with frequent city driving.
Front strut mounts wear relatively early and cause noise when steering.
The magnetic clutch on the A/C compressor loses holding force, especially at high ambient temperatures.
The tailgate seal allows water into the boot. Blocked drain holes worsen the problem.
Clicking from the steering shaft universal joints at full lock is a widespread problem on the E180. Predominantly affects 1.8 Hybrid models with eCVT. Steering shaft or universal joint needs replacement; repair possible under warranty.
Despite Toyota's generally good corrosion protection, older E180 vehicles can develop rust at sills and wheel arches, particularly on cars without regular cavity sealing.
The headlights mist up internally, especially in damp weather. Ventilation valves become blocked.
The E180's interior trim tends to creak with age, especially in cold weather. Door panels and the dashboard produce annoying noises due to thermal expansion and age-related material fatigue.