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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

What owners actually said

179 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2021
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHICH WITH TIME I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11402833

45,000 miles · Feb 22, 2021
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS NOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #11397382

111,000 miles · Jan 21, 2021
Engine

AFTER SEEING NUMEROUS TOYOTA J02 (2018) VALVE TRAIN RECALL CATASTROPHES, I DECLINED THE SERVICE. WHEN THE CA DMV REQUIRED IT FOR REGISTRATION RENEWAL, I WAITED UNTIL THE DEADLINE SO THE TOYOTA MECHANICS WOULD GET MORE PRACTICE ON OTHER CARS BEFORE SERVICING MINE IN JANUARY 2020 WITH 98K MILES ODOMETER. I THOUGHT THE STRATEGY WOR…

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AFTER SEEING NUMEROUS TOYOTA J02 (2018) VALVE TRAIN RECALL CATASTROPHES, I DECLINED THE SERVICE. WHEN THE CA DMV REQUIRED IT FOR REGISTRATION RENEWAL, I WAITED UNTIL THE DEADLINE SO THE TOYOTA MECHANICS WOULD GET MORE PRACTICE ON OTHER CARS BEFORE SERVICING MINE IN JANUARY 2020 WITH 98K MILES ODOMETER. I THOUGHT THE STRATEGY WORKED, UNTIL NOVEMBER 2020 AT 111K MILES ODOMETER. ON MY DAILY FREEWAY COMMUTE, WITH A CLATTER AND THEN A BANG, A HOLE WAS BLOWN IN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE, OUT OF WHICH OIL SPRAYED ONTO THE CAT PRODUCING BILLOWING SMOKE, CEL'S, AND THEN A LOW OIL ALERT. BY THE TIME I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE STILL RAN BUT WAS KNOCKING. PUENTE HILLS TOYOTA RECOVERED A ROCKER ARM THAT HAD SOMEHOW DETACHED ITSELF FROM ITS SWIVEL, THRASHED AROUND INSIDE THE VALVE CASE, AND THEN GOT EJECTED OUT THROUGH THE VALVE COVER. THEY INSISTED THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR SERVICE WARRANTY, WHICH WAS 12-MONTHS UNLIMITED MILES IN PRINT, FOR DEPRAVED REASONS THEY ADDITIONALLY REFUSED TO PUT IN WRITING. THEY, AND OTHER LOCAL SHOPS, ATTEMPTED TO QUOTE ME TO SWAP IN A USED ENGINE, BUT NOW THERE'S COINCIDENTALLY A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF THESE ENGINES, TURNING MY CAR, WHICH HAD RUN 98K MILES FLAWLESSLY, INTO A TOTAL LOSS. THE NHTSA FAILED THE PUBLIC FOR FORCING AND THEN NOT RESCINDING A RECKLESS RECALL DECISION, WHERE THE HAZARDS OF A SPECIALIZED ENGINE SERVICE PERFORMED BY UNSPECIALIZED DEALERSHIP MECHANICS DWARFED THE HAZARDS OF TAKING NO ACTION. IN TRYING TO PREVENT DOZENS OF POTENTIAL ENGINE STALLS, THEY CAUSED HUNDREDS OF TOTAL LOSS ENGINE FAILURES. A LEVEL OF SYSTEMIC INCOMPETENCE AND CORRUPTION HAS ALSO BEEN EXPOSED IN THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS OF NORTH AMERICA. I ONLY HOPE THE NHTSA, TOYOTA, CLASS ACTION LAWYERS, OR SOMEONE CAN STEP UP.

NHTSA ODI #11389146

40,000 miles · Jan 17, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

I'LL BE DRIVING AND RPM WILL DIP SO FAST SOMETIME CARS DIES BUT HAPPENS EVERY NOW AND THEN. SOMETIMES IN START UP AND OR JUST JUST A STOP LIGHT

NHTSA ODI #11388589

50,720 miles · Jan 11, 2021
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND DROVE HOME AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO EXPRESSWAY TOYOTA (700 MORRISSEY BLVD, B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND DROVE HOME AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO EXPRESSWAY TOYOTA (700 MORRISSEY BLVD, BOSTON, MA 02122) WHERE AN ESTIMATE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,720.

NHTSA ODI #11387604

95,740 miles · Jan 6, 2021
Engine

2013 SCION FR-S HAD A VALVE SPRING RECALL. WHILE DRIVING, AS SOON AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE STALLED. SOON AS I RE-IGNITED THE ENGINE I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING 10-15 MPH WITH THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE GETTING LOUDER. THIS EVENT OCCURRED A YEAR/8000MILES AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE. I BELIEV…

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2013 SCION FR-S HAD A VALVE SPRING RECALL. WHILE DRIVING, AS SOON AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE STALLED. SOON AS I RE-IGNITED THE ENGINE I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING 10-15 MPH WITH THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE GETTING LOUDER. THIS EVENT OCCURRED A YEAR/8000MILES AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE. I BELIEVE THIS INCIDENT WAS CONTRIBUTED BY THE THE RECALL SERVICE. Consumer stated J02 recall was serviced May 22, 2019 at 87705 miles. Incident happened again on June 5th,2020 at 95745 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11386807

145,000 miles · Dec 17, 2020
Engine

J02 RECALL DONE IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR FOR REGISTRATION, DID AN OIL CHANGE AND FOUND METAL SHAVING AND THEN THE ENGINE GAVE OUT IN APRIL. CORPORATE WASN'T ANY HELP, EVEN AFTER FINDING FIPG IN OIL PICK UP. PAID FOR REBUILT, AND THE CAR HAS A ROUGH IDLE ON COLD START. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK 3 TIMES. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND T…

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J02 RECALL DONE IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR FOR REGISTRATION, DID AN OIL CHANGE AND FOUND METAL SHAVING AND THEN THE ENGINE GAVE OUT IN APRIL. CORPORATE WASN'T ANY HELP, EVEN AFTER FINDING FIPG IN OIL PICK UP. PAID FOR REBUILT, AND THE CAR HAS A ROUGH IDLE ON COLD START. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK 3 TIMES. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID FIPG WAS FOUND IN OIL PICK. AND TESTED EVERYTHING. REBUILT WASN'T DONE RIGHT FROM FIRST DEALER. FIRST DEALER ALSO DAMAGED THE HOOD DURING THE REBUILT. THE HOOD HASN'T BEEN PROPERLY FIXED. PLEASE HELP IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE OR POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11383948

88,600 miles · Nov 19, 2020
Engine

ONE YEAR AFTER REQUIRED J02 RECALL, I SPUN A ROD BEARING ON CYLINDER 4. CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE OIL LEVEL WAS FULL AT TIME OF FAILURE. I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK AND DIED SHORTLY AFTER. CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND GET TOWED. T…

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ONE YEAR AFTER REQUIRED J02 RECALL, I SPUN A ROD BEARING ON CYLINDER 4. CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE OIL LEVEL WAS FULL AT TIME OF FAILURE. I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK AND DIED SHORTLY AFTER. CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND GET TOWED. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL IS DENYING IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE WARRANTY AND IS REQUIRING THAT I USE AN AFTERMARKET WARRANTY TO GET A USED ENGINE FORM ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11375351

130,000 miles · Nov 10, 2020
Engine

ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE J02 RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE ENGINE DIED COMMUTING IN TRAFFIC WHILE ON THE HWY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPORT A SPUN BEARING DUE TO OIL STARVATION, YET THE CRANKCASE IS FULL WITH OIL (PER THEIR OWN INSPECTION) WITH ABOUT 25% LIFE BEFORE HAVING TO CHANGE OIL. I SUSPECT EXCESS …

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ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE J02 RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE ENGINE DIED COMMUTING IN TRAFFIC WHILE ON THE HWY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPORT A SPUN BEARING DUE TO OIL STARVATION, YET THE CRANKCASE IS FULL WITH OIL (PER THEIR OWN INSPECTION) WITH ABOUT 25% LIFE BEFORE HAVING TO CHANGE OIL. I SUSPECT EXCESS RTV FROM THE RECALL WORK HAS CLOGGED THE PICKUP SCREEN OR AN OIL GALLEY. DEALERSHIP DENIES THAT EITHER OF THOSE 2 THINGS ARE THE CASE AND WON'T FIX VEHICLE, YET THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN THE "OIL STARVATION" IF THE CRANKCASE IS FULL OF OIL AND YOU QUOTE OIL STARVATION, THEN SOMETHING SOMEWHERE IS CLOGGED. YET THEY WONT ACCEPT RESPONSIBVILITY DESPITE THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE AT TOYOTA. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ODI #11374053

60 miles · Oct 12, 2020
Engine

MY 2013 FRS TOYOTA SCION ENGINE FAILED DURING A TRIP IN THE HIGHWAY AFTER A TOYOTA DEALER PERFORMED A J02 RECALL. ENGINE START TO FAILED WITH AN ENGINE NOISE; THEN ENGINE STOP AT THE HIGHWAY.AFTER 2,000 MILES AFTER RECALL PERFORMED. ENGINE BROKE TWO TIES THE ENGINE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR NEVER FEEL LIKE BEFORE , SOMETIME HAPPEN…

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MY 2013 FRS TOYOTA SCION ENGINE FAILED DURING A TRIP IN THE HIGHWAY AFTER A TOYOTA DEALER PERFORMED A J02 RECALL. ENGINE START TO FAILED WITH AN ENGINE NOISE; THEN ENGINE STOP AT THE HIGHWAY.AFTER 2,000 MILES AFTER RECALL PERFORMED. ENGINE BROKE TWO TIES THE ENGINE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR NEVER FEEL LIKE BEFORE , SOMETIME HAPPENED DURING THE REPAIR THAT THE CAR START FAILING. THE HISTORY OF CAR WAS CLEAN NEVER FAILED WITH 40,000 MMILES WITHOUT ANY FAILURES. AFTER THAT SOMETHING HAPPEN WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLU WAS RUNNING AT 65 MH WHEN THE FAIL OCURRED.IT IS A LOCAL CAR USE ENOW WITH 44,000 MILES. WITHOUT ANY FAILURES BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI #11363937

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.