Here is a strange story that just keeps getting stranger. Viral footage [embedded below] shows a GR Corolla on a spirited drive begin pouring smoke from beneath its hood. The driver pulls over and calls the fire department. But before first responders can arrive, the engine compartment is engulfed in flames that eventually melt the front of the car off. Now Toyota is refusing the man’s warranty request because…he had factory tires.

Here’s a bizarre excerpt from Toyota’s statement:

“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.“

Toyota statement on GR Corolla fire

This statement is strange because though, “high-speed capability tires” exist, you’d be hard-pressed to find any tire not rated for 85 mph in 2024. Sure, once upon a time you might be able to buy a farm truck on bias ply tires intended for agricultural use, not road use. But today, even the cheapest tires you can get at Walmart will be rated at well over 85 mph.

Toyota’s statement also says, “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.” Finally, it said, “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.”

You can see the terrifying dashcam footage in the video below:

So what was going on here? One final clue comes in a comment on the original video, made by the car’s owner. “So far the dealer’s suspicion is that excess fuel from a potential fault was bypassing the cylinder and combusting in the turbo. That’s pure speculation right now but it makes the most sense and would mean it’s highly likely this is a one of one issue.”

This is, obviously, hearsay. But if it’s true, it suggest that whatever “fuel issue” was supposedly repaired was actually still malfunctioning and caused the fire. That would mean the dealership that signed off on the work was at fault. Furthermore, the entire issue might have been caused by the first accident, not any inherent issues with the car.

We don’t know any of that for sure. But it’s a safe bet than exceeding 85 mph on stock tires didn’t cause the engine to explode.

It’s also worth noting that no other Corolla trim shares an engine with the GR Corolla.

I don’t doubt the Toyota GR Corolla’s owner’s manual warns not to drive above 85 mph without swapping for even higher speed tires. If I was browsing the manual I might grumble about a liability toss-in the lawyers made Toyota add. Toyota’s lawyers citing it now feels like a cop-out for Toyota–a company that otherwise has an excellent reputation for taking care of its customers who have mechanical issues.