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2013 Scion FR-S

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

148 reports with mileage · 31 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 141 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

1 reports
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24,500 miles · Nov 1, 2013
Power TrainStructure

THIS IS INTENDED TO REPORT A PROBLEM, NOT A ONE-TIME INCIDENT. THE SHIFT KNOB OF MY FR-S IS LOOSE ENOUGH TO ROTATE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON ONLINE FORUMS DEDICATED TO THIS VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO PARTIAL MISALLOCATION OF FORCE …

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THIS IS INTENDED TO REPORT A PROBLEM, NOT A ONE-TIME INCIDENT. THE SHIFT KNOB OF MY FR-S IS LOOSE ENOUGH TO ROTATE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON ONLINE FORUMS DEDICATED TO THIS VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO PARTIAL MISALLOCATION OF FORCE FROM THE OPERATOR'S INTENDED SHIFTING DIRECTION INTO UNWANTED ROTATION OF THE GEAR KNOB. MISSING A GEAR, OR DELAYING OR CONFUSING THE ACTION MECHANICALLY CAN BE A HAZARD. FOR EXAMPLE, IT CAN BE CRITICAL TO MAKE A FAST AND CORRECT GEAR SHIFT WHILE MERGING INTO A TRAFFIC STREAM OR WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AGAINST OPPOSING TRAFFIC. THE LOOSENESS OF THE SHIFT KNOB, WHICH IN THIS CASE CAN ROTATE 5-15 DEGREES DURING A SHIFT ADDS AN UNWANTED AND ENTIRELY UNNECESSARY VARIABLE DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. SCION/TOYOTA'S RESPONSE IS THAT THE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT IS "NORMAL". A POINT WITH WHICH I THINK NO SELF-RESPECTING AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER WOULD CONCUR. NOTE: PROPER SHIFTING TECHNIQUE DOES NOT REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT ROTATING FORCE TO BE APPLIED TO THE SHIFT KNOB. NEVERTHELESS IT IS INEVITABLE THAT SOME DIFFERENTIAL FORCE BE APPLIED TO ONE SIDE OF THE KNOB WHILE SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEAR PATTERN. THEREFORE THE KNOB SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO RESIST THOSE FORCES IN ORDER TO DIRECT THE THRUST IN THE DIRECTION INTENDED BY THE OPERATOR. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE FR-S SHIFT KNOB AND INTEGRATED CAP DISCOURAGES TIGHTENING OF THE SHIFT KNOB ON ITS THREADS AS THAT WILL CAUSE THE CAP TO LIFT OUT OF THE BODY OF THE SHIFT KNOB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550481

Official recalls

4

18V772000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Nov 1, 2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

16V075000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Feb 10, 2016

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles manufactured March 13, 2012, to January 14, 2016 and equipped an automatic transmission and ignition key. Vehicles with a push-to-start button are not affected. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible to remove the ignition key without the transmission being in the "Park" position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the transmission is not in the "Park" position, the vehicle could roll away increasing the risk of a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition key/transmission interlock wiring connections, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0E.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles manufactured March 13, 2012, to January 14, 2016 and equipped an automatic transmission and ignition key. Vehicles with a push-to-start button are not affected. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible to remove the ignition key without the transmission being in the "Park" position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the transmission is not in the "Park" position, the vehicle could roll away increasing the risk of a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition key/transmission interlock wiring connections, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0E.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles manufactured March 13, 2012, to January 14, 2016 and equipped an automatic transmission and ignition key. Vehicles with a push-to-start button are not affected. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible to remove the ignition key without the transmission being in the "Park" position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the transmission is not in the "Park" position, the vehicle could roll away increasing the risk of a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition key/transmission interlock wiring connections, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0E.

13V123000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 9, 2013

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

12V255000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Jun 5, 2012

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 SCION FR-S VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 22, 2012, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. THE OWNER’S MANUAL CONTAINS AN INACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. OTHER PORTIONS OF THE OWNER’S MANUAL, DESCRIBING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, REQUIRE CLARIFICATION. AS SUCH, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, “OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.”

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A USER READS AND FOLLOWS INACCURATE OWNER’S MANUAL INFORMATION, THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WILL MAIL CORRECTED INSERTS FOR THE OWNER’S MANUALS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-866-707-2466.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.