← New search

2013 Scion FR-S

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all FR-S years →

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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

The fuel pump stopped working. I was driving to work on a busy highway and without any warning my car started slowing down. There were no warning lights or any indication of a problem. I pressed the gas pedal and no response from the motor. I pushed in the clutch and put my 4 ways on and luckily coasted to a spot I could pull o…

Read full complaint

The fuel pump stopped working. I was driving to work on a busy highway and without any warning my car started slowing down. There were no warning lights or any indication of a problem. I pressed the gas pedal and no response from the motor. I pushed in the clutch and put my 4 ways on and luckily coasted to a spot I could pull off the road at. Once safe and stopped I tried to start the car again and it sputtered and shut off. The car has been running funny on n off for a little bit I didn't think it could be the fuel pump but It seems it was the problem. The pump wasn't inspected by anyone but after replacing it the car was back to normal.

NHTSA ODI #11554980

96,000 miles · Jul 2, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

GASOLINE OVERFLOWS WHEN FUELING

NHTSA ODI #11229085

96,000 miles · Jun 22, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

MULTIPLE REPORTS OF FUELING ISSUES AMONG FRS AND SUBARU BRZ OWNERS . FILLING STATION PUMP HAULTS WHEN FUELING DUE TO FILLER HOSE CRIMP; PRESENTS INCREASED PROBABILITY OF HAZARDOUS CONDITION DUE TO REQUIREMENT OF MANUAL PUMP OVERRIDE. VEHICLE IS OVERFILLED, AND GASOLINE MAY SPRAY ON TO OPERATOR. SUCH HAS OCCURRED IN MY INSTANCE

NHTSA ODI #11221942

63,300 miles · May 21, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AND HAD THE VALVE SPRING RECALL WORK DONE AT THE REQUEST OF THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP ( RICK HENDRICK TOYOTA OF FAYETTEVILLE ). CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND DROVE MY FRS HOME WITHOUT A PROBLEM. IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS I NOTICED IT WAS TAKING LONGER FOR THE CAR TO START, AND WAS THROWING THE CEL…

Read full complaint

TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AND HAD THE VALVE SPRING RECALL WORK DONE AT THE REQUEST OF THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP ( RICK HENDRICK TOYOTA OF FAYETTEVILLE ). CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND DROVE MY FRS HOME WITHOUT A PROBLEM. IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS I NOTICED IT WAS TAKING LONGER FOR THE CAR TO START, AND WAS THROWING THE CEL ON A PARTICULARLY HOT DAY AS WELL. I DISREGARDED IT AND CONTINUED DRIVING MY CAR LIGHTLY AROUND POST. A FEW DAYS LATER THE DIFFICULTY STARTING WAS STILL THERE AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR STARTED EMITTING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE MOTOR, I FEARED IT WAS A DREADED ROD KNOCK WHICH I KNEW COULD BE DISASTROUS FOR THE MOTOR INTERNALLY. SO I LIMPED IT HOME AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY ON MY DIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. THIS ALL HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF 7-9 DAYS AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM THE RECALL WORK. THAT WAS OVER 5 WEEKS AGO AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN A DECISIVE ANSWER AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR AND WHAT MIGHT BE THE SOLUTION TO SAID PROBLEM. THE WARRANTY COMPANY I USED WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR BACK IN FEBRUARY ( VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER THE 3000 MI, 3 MONTH WARRANTY MIND YOU ) HAS BEEN JERKING BOTH ME AND THE DEALER BACK AND FORTH, AND HAS STATED THEY WILL ONLY PAY 2K FOR A NEW MOTOR, WHICH WILL SURELY BE MORE THAN THAT, WHICH MAKES ME STUCK WITH THE REST OF HOWEVER MUCH THAT REPAIR MAY COST. ITS UNFORTUNATE THAT ITS COME TO THIS, BUT OVER 70 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE RAN INTO SIMILAR PROBLEMS AFTER HAVING RECALL WORK DONE, WE DESERVE ANSWERS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CARS.

NHTSA ODI #11208874

90,485 miles · Apr 9, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I WAS NOTIFIED BY MAIL THAT THEY'RE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY 2013 ACIOM FRS WHICH WAS TO REPLACE MY ENGINE SPRING VALVE AT NO COST. I TOOK IN MY CAR JANUARY 18 TO HAVE THE WORK DONE IT TOOK AROUND 2 WEEKS TO GET A RESPOND BACK THAT MY CAR WAS READY FOR PICK UP. I TOOK IT OUT AND DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 5 MILE TO GET GAS AND WHEN I …

Read full complaint

I WAS NOTIFIED BY MAIL THAT THEY'RE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY 2013 ACIOM FRS WHICH WAS TO REPLACE MY ENGINE SPRING VALVE AT NO COST. I TOOK IN MY CAR JANUARY 18 TO HAVE THE WORK DONE IT TOOK AROUND 2 WEEKS TO GET A RESPOND BACK THAT MY CAR WAS READY FOR PICK UP. I TOOK IT OUT AND DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 5 MILE TO GET GAS AND WHEN I TURNED ON MY CAR IT WAS STRUGGLING TO TURN ON AND ONCE IT TURNED ON IT WAS IT WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY , 3 ENGINE CODES CAME UP P0017 P0300P219A. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO TOYOTA AND ALL THEY DID WAS CLEAR MY ENGINE CODES DROVE MY CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MILES AND HANDED IT BACK TO ME SAYING IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT 2,000 MILES I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME AT NIGHT AND I HEARD A LOUD POP INSIDE MY ENGINE SO I PARKED THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I WAS GOING TO MY FRIEND HOUSE TO CHANGE MY BRAKES AND WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY I HEAD A SOFT ENGINE KNOCKING AND IT BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER UNTIL THE ENGINE COMPLETLY DIED ON ME AND I WAS STRANDED. TOYOTA SEND A TOW TRUCK TO PICK UP MY CAR AND WHEN THEY INSPECTED THE ENGINE THEY SAID I HAD A CYLINDER THAT WAS DESTROYED AND A ROD BEARING DESTROYED AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO 'OIL STARTVATION'. I'VE OWNED THAT CAR FOR A YEAR AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE ISSUE WITH IT, UNTIL NOW THAT THEY WORKED ON MY ENGINE. THEY ARE TELLING ME I GOTTA PAY $8,600 OUT OF POCKET FOR A WHOLE NEW SHORT BLOCK AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGES OCCUR AFTER THEIR WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11195026

8,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP STARTED MAKING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF NOISE, WAS DEEMED DEFECTIVE BY TOYOTA AND REPLACED. 3000 MILES LATER, THE SAME NOISE IS BACK, AND NOW TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO REPAIR / REPLACE THE PART, EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS LESS THAN 12000 MILES ON IT, EVEN NOW. THIS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS OF CONCERN BECAUSE IT'S…

Read full complaint

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP STARTED MAKING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF NOISE, WAS DEEMED DEFECTIVE BY TOYOTA AND REPLACED. 3000 MILES LATER, THE SAME NOISE IS BACK, AND NOW TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO REPAIR / REPLACE THE PART, EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS LESS THAN 12000 MILES ON IT, EVEN NOW. THIS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS OF CONCERN BECAUSE IT'S THE SYSTEM THAT COMPRESSES THE FUEL TO OVER 3000 PSI. THIS SYSTEM NEVER DEPRESSURIZES, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. A DEFECTIVE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, ONE THAT MAKES SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF NOISE, HAVE THE POSSIBILITY FOR FAILURE, AND COULD CAUSE EITHER HESITATION WHILE DRIVING, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION, OR POTENTIALLY A FIRE. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, RELEASED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WITH REGARDS TO AN INITIAL FIX, AND THEN COMPLETELY REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE IT AFTER THE FIRST FIX ATTEMPT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616374

550 miles · Apr 15, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BEFORE PROBLEMS PERSIST AND MAKE THINGS WORSE. MY BRAND NEW SCION FRS, WHAT I WAS REASSURED BY MY DEALER WAS RELIABLE DEPENDABLE MAKE AND MODEL. GIVEN THE TRUST HE HAD GAINED PRIOR TO THE SALE I BELIEVED EVERY WORD HE SAID DOWN TO HIS OVER MARKET ASKING PRICE PITCH. I BOUGHT IT ALL AND THE CAR. A FEW WEEK…

Read full complaint

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BEFORE PROBLEMS PERSIST AND MAKE THINGS WORSE. MY BRAND NEW SCION FRS, WHAT I WAS REASSURED BY MY DEALER WAS RELIABLE DEPENDABLE MAKE AND MODEL. GIVEN THE TRUST HE HAD GAINED PRIOR TO THE SALE I BELIEVED EVERY WORD HE SAID DOWN TO HIS OVER MARKET ASKING PRICE PITCH. I BOUGHT IT ALL AND THE CAR. A FEW WEEKS LATER I NOTICE A CHIRPPING THAT I THOUGHT TO BE THE BELT. IT HAD BEEN RAINING CONSTANTLY SO I ASSUMED THE BELT WAS MOIST AND AT TIMES WITH CONDENSATION. IN DRY CONDITIONS THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND I BECAME CONCERNED, SO I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE TECH SAID IT WAS A MISS SIZED FUEL HOSE, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO CHIRP. BUT WHAT WAS WEIRD AND DREW A RED FLAG WAS ALL THE PARTS THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED: FUEL PUMP, PIPE FUEL DELIVERY NO2, GASKET, GASKET INTAKE MANIFOLD, GASKET THROTTLED. TSED SUSPICION SO I RESEARCHED MY PROBLEM. A LOT OF THE REPORTS FIND THE SAME ISSUSE, ALONG WITH OTHERS THINGS I HAVE NOTICED WITH MY CAR. THE FUEL HAS BEEN REPORTED TO LEAK, CAUSING FIRES OR ENGINGE DAMAGE AND ACCELERATION ISSUES LEADING TO SUCH. I HAVE TO NOTICED THE NEED FOR ACCESSIVE FORCE ON THE PEDAL HAS BEEN MORE AND MORE NECESSARY. ALSO STALLING AND ROUGH IDLING IS A BIG CONCERN. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH NOW AND I DO NO WISH TO LEAVE ANYTHING TO CHANCE ESPECIALLY IF IT MAY RESULT IN DEATH. I DON'T WANT MY GIRL FRIEND AND HER TWO CHILDREN AND I TO BURN TO DEATH OR STALL OUT AND CRUSHED BY A TRUCK. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10582857

4,494 miles · Sep 6, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY NEW CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE PAST MONTH (4 TIMES). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THE CAR DOES NOT ALSO SEEM TO BE ABLE TO HOLD AN IDLE SPEED. WHEN MY FOOT HAS THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY DEPRESSED AND MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE IDLE JUST GOES FROM 5…

Read full complaint

MY NEW CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE PAST MONTH (4 TIMES). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THE CAR DOES NOT ALSO SEEM TO BE ABLE TO HOLD AN IDLE SPEED. WHEN MY FOOT HAS THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY DEPRESSED AND MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE IDLE JUST GOES FROM 500 TO 1000 AND BACK DOWN TO 500 AND THE CAR SHUDDERS AND ALMOST STALLS. THERE SEEMS TO BE OTHER SCION OWNERS OF THIS NEW CAR THAT ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE (THERE ARE INTERNET POST ON WEB FORUMS DATING BACK TO JUNE 2012) AND TOYOTA/SCION DOES NOT ACT LIKE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AT ALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL OR THE ENGINE SURGE WHEN I AM DRIVING IT. THE CAR IS AT A SCION DEALER FOR THE 4 TIME AND I WAS GIVEN NO ETA ON WHEN THE CAR MIGHT BE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474058

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.