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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
106,190 miles · Sep 13, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE'S PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BAXTER TOYOTA LINCOLN (8600 S 33RD ST, LINCOLN, NE 68516, 531-739-5213) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS SERVICED. AFTER APPROXIMATEL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE'S PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BAXTER TOYOTA LINCOLN (8600 S 33RD ST, LINCOLN, NE 68516, 531-739-5213) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS SERVICED. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES, WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. DUE TO THE KNOCKING NOISE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE HE WAS GIVEN THE OPTION TO REPLACE A SMALL BLOCK OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DIRECTLY NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, A SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,190.

NHTSA ODI #11255369

95,000 miles · Aug 26, 2019
Air BagsSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT MICHAEL'S TOYOTA OF BELLEVUE (3080 148TH AVE SE, BELLEVUE, WA 98007, (425) 455-9500), BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT MICHAEL'S TOYOTA OF BELLEVUE (3080 148TH AVE SE, BELLEVUE, WA 98007, (425) 455-9500), BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #11246424

66,000 miles · Aug 5, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD THE VEHICLE'S ROD BEARINGS SPINNING, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO ENGINE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANCOUVER TOYOTA (10455 NE 53RD …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD THE VEHICLE'S ROD BEARINGS SPINNING, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO ENGINE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANCOUVER TOYOTA (10455 NE 53RD ST, VANCOUVER, WA 98662, (360) 944-3001) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROD BEARINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED RECALL PERFORMED IN JAN/FEB OF 2019. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11241848

106,000 miles · Jul 30, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN AND COUNTRY TOYOTA (9101 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28273, (704) 557-0586) WHERE THE VALVE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE JERKED,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN AND COUNTRY TOYOTA (9101 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28273, (704) 557-0586) WHERE THE VALVE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LUNGED FORWARD, AND LOST POWER. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #11240587

90,280 miles · Jul 27, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

ITS A TAKATA RECALL. THE CAR WAS MAKING A SCREECHING NOISE WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE BRAKES BUT THEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT STALLED ON ME AND DIDN'T WANT TO WORK. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF ON ME MANY TIMES WHEN I WOULD TURN IT ON

NHTSA ODI #11235286

75,445 miles · Jul 26, 2019
Engine

I HAD THE J02 RECALL PERFORMED ON FROM FEBRUARY 8TH-13TH. 1200 MILES AFTER J02 RECALL CAR RUNS SLUGGISH GOING UP CANYON. STOP CAR AND ENGINE IS MISFIRING. TURN AROUND AND COAST DOWNHILL IN NEUTRAL UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON THEN STOP AND PARK CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CALLED DEALER AND ASKED WHAT I SHOULD DO. COAST …

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I HAD THE J02 RECALL PERFORMED ON FROM FEBRUARY 8TH-13TH. 1200 MILES AFTER J02 RECALL CAR RUNS SLUGGISH GOING UP CANYON. STOP CAR AND ENGINE IS MISFIRING. TURN AROUND AND COAST DOWNHILL IN NEUTRAL UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON THEN STOP AND PARK CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CALLED DEALER AND ASKED WHAT I SHOULD DO. COAST OUT OF THE CANYON WITH THE ENGINE OFF. TURN ENGINE ON AFTER SEVERAL MILES AND NO MORE PROBLEMS. DRIVE HOME CAREFULLY. NEXT DAY THROWS SEVERAL CODES AND RUNNING SLUGGISH. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CODES ARE GONE RIGHT BEFORE IT GOES TO DEALER. THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IF CAR HAS NO ACTIVE CODES OR SYMPTOMS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER TURN CAR ON AND CAR IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND HAS SEVERAL PENDING CODES. CAREFULLY DRIVE HOME. CODES DIDN'T SAVE. FINALLY ABLE TO TAKE TO DEALER AROUND JUNE 25TH WHILE CAR IS MAKING THE KNOCKING NOISE BUT NO CODES AND THEY THINK IT'S A LIFTER BUT NOT SURE. I LEFT THE CAR AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. LITERALLY THE SAME DAY I PICK THE CAR UP IT IS KNOCKING AND CONSISTENTLY DOES SO FOR THE NEXT WEEK AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WARMS UP. JULY 5 ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S BEING HIT BY A HAMMER AND THROWS P0011 CAM TIMING ADVANCED. OIL PRESSURE IS 5PSI AT IDLE AND 40PSI AT 5000RPM. HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T MAKE THE DRIVE AND THEY SAY IT IS PISTON SLAP WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THE ENGINE THEY DETERMINE IT IS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALL. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE WITH THE TIMING COVER, OIL PAN AND ONE VALVE COVER OFF AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THEM TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO DOZENS OF PEOPLE AFTER THE RECALL. CODES THROWN SO FAR ARE P0011 P219A P0301 P000A P0420 KNOCKING SEEMS TO BE WHEN OIL WARMS UP AND OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO ABOUT 30PSI AND BELOW.

NHTSA ODI #11235071

61,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Engine

TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE VALVE RECALL AND WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES IT STARTED TO HAVE A VERY BAD KNOCK WE WERE DRIVING WHEN THE KNOCK STARTED AROUND 50.. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY PULLED THE OIL PAN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A BAD ROD BEARING. WE ARE ALWAYS UP ON THE OIL SERVICE. ONLY 1500 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY WITH NO H…

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TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE VALVE RECALL AND WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES IT STARTED TO HAVE A VERY BAD KNOCK WE WERE DRIVING WHEN THE KNOCK STARTED AROUND 50.. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY PULLED THE OIL PAN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A BAD ROD BEARING. WE ARE ALWAYS UP ON THE OIL SERVICE. ONLY 1500 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY WITH NO HELP FROM TOYOTA. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY WON'T HELP OUT. TOYOTA IS JUST DITCHING THIS PROBLEM. TO MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE SAME RECALL AND PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11234608

40,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Engine

CAR WAS RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF VALVE SPRINGS AND THIS SERVICE CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE(BEARING) PROBABLY SEALANT SEEPED INTO OIL CAUSING BLOCKAGE OF OIL FLOW

NHTSA ODI #11234598

70,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUMP GAS, THE INTAKE LINE BACKS UP AND TRIGGERS THE SECURITY SWITCH ON THE GAS PUMP. I WAS TOLD THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. UPON REVIEW OF SOME FORUM POSTS, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THE EARLY 2013 FR-S'S. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS. THE DEALERSHIP IS TRY…

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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUMP GAS, THE INTAKE LINE BACKS UP AND TRIGGERS THE SECURITY SWITCH ON THE GAS PUMP. I WAS TOLD THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. UPON REVIEW OF SOME FORUM POSTS, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THE EARLY 2013 FR-S'S. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS. THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO CHARGE ME OVER $1,700 TO FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11234536

25 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Engine

THE ENGINE IS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE WHENEVER I TRY STARTING THE CAR AND IT DIES AFTER 30 SECONDS. THE RATTLING NOISE STARTED HAPPENING ONLY AFTER 2 MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR. THE NOISE SPECIFICALLY STARTED HAPPENING AFTER I WAS DRIVING IT FROM WORK AND AFTER TAKING A U-TURN, A RATTLING NOISE JUST STARTED GROWING LOUDER AND LOUD…

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THE ENGINE IS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE WHENEVER I TRY STARTING THE CAR AND IT DIES AFTER 30 SECONDS. THE RATTLING NOISE STARTED HAPPENING ONLY AFTER 2 MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR. THE NOISE SPECIFICALLY STARTED HAPPENING AFTER I WAS DRIVING IT FROM WORK AND AFTER TAKING A U-TURN, A RATTLING NOISE JUST STARTED GROWING LOUDER AND LOUDER UP UNTIL IT JUST SLOWLY DIED AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11232198

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.