KnownCarProblems2013 Scion FR-S Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Scion FR-S, most often about the engine (82% of complaints, typically around 75,500 miles). It is the most complained-about FR-S model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2013 Scion FR-S problems
Engine
146 complaints · 82%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles.
After receiving my car after the recall was performed, 15 miles into driving it home my engine began to knock and slow down on the freeway. This safety recall put me at risk. The dealership stated that they will not compensate for the price of a new engine and tried to blame it on me, completely disregarding all of…
My car was brought in for the recall for the faulty valve springs. After about a month and a half the engine began knocking. I took it back to the dealer and after looking at the engine they wanted records of regular vehicle maintenance. They wanted this to make sure maintenance was done because toyota corporate…
Transmission
21 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.
Takata recall 2,000 miles past warranty, the check engine and traction control lights came on and lost power. Not sure if it happened while I was stopped or in transient. It was early in the morning on my way to work and I had just stopped at a gas station to get a cup of coffee. Toyota changed out the computer free…
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…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles.
This is a complaint on a 2013 frs that was bought in november of 2013 which now has 8500 miles on it now. Check engine light came on in the morning when I started the engine up to go to work. I use my check engine scanner and it gave me a p2404 code. Drove it for two days to see if it would shut off. Now for some…
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…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
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…
I have experienced major problems following the valve spring recall on the Scion FR-S. Approximately 1 month following the recall which was completed in march, my vehicle began experiencing a vibration, a loud rattling sound, and an engine knock. I took the vehicle to the dealership that completed the recall to have…
Steering
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
While driving, the steering wheel is loose and easily turns left, almost on its own. Where as turning it to the right is tight and more difficult. This makes driving very difficult and dangerous, especially on windy days. I've read about it here and there online while trying to figure out whats happening and I am not…
The contact owns a 2013 Scion FR-S. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in an unknown recall where the spring valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle received the recall remedy. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact heard a rumbling sound around the engine as if metal were loose. The contact…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 2%The bolts and studs have continually gone bad on my car. I've already had to replace all the bolts and almost 10 of the studs. The car has never been in a major accident nor had any damage to the wheels before. No one can figure out why this keeps happening, but I can't even change my tires without a bolt breaking.…
Every time the tires need to be fix, one or more of the the lug nuts and the studs break while trying to take them out. This problem has happened 3 times, having to replace 7 lugs and studs in all 4 tires. It is dangerous to drive a vehicle with fewer lugs than the ones recommended by NHTSA.
Air bags
3 complaints · 2%The contact owned a 2013 Scion FR-S. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe damage to the front end; however, the air bag deflated with a four inch hole after deploying. The driver sustained facial and chest…
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, ([phone]), but the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Scion FR-S recalls
Engine
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Equipment: labels
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: If a user reads and follows inaccurate ownerâs manual information, this could lead to an increased risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant under certain crash conditions.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and will mail corrected inserts for the ownerâs manuals, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 3, 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-866-707-2466.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 scion fr-s vehicles manufactured from march 22, 2012, through may 14, 2012. The ownerâs manual contains an inaccurate description of the actual operation of the front passenger occupant classification system. Other portions of the ownerâs manual, describing the air bag system, require clarification. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 208, âoccupant crash protection.â
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 Scion FR-S
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Scion FR-S?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (146 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles); transmission (21 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); fuel system (9 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Scion FR-S have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 1, 2018 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Scion FR-S?
- It is the most complained-about FR-S model year since 2000, with 179 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Scion FR-S years
- 2013