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The 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder, equipped with a five-speed sequentially shifted manual transmission (SMT), has faced various issues. Problems arise when the SMT transmission suddenly fails to shift, causing the engine to over-rev. Failures of the clutch and HPU pump are quite common, particularly as the vehicle ages. A frequent issue is the failure or leakage of the gear shift actuator due to corrosion of the clutch actuator rod, leading to damage to the GSA seal. The SMT transmission was introduced as a groundbreaking innovation for its time, offering a self-shifting five-speed manual transmission, but it was only utilized for a limited period. Toyota provided sparse guidance on SMT repairs, resulting in technicians resorting to trial and error fixes. To avoid expensive repairs, many owners opt to switch to a standard manual transmission.
There are certain transmission issues that can occur with the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder SMT, such as fluid leaks, insufficient fluid levels, and rough shifting.