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Scion

2013 Scion FR-S

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Scion FR-S has 210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 11.7x the segment average of 18. The most common issue is engine problems (70% of all complaints), specifically: 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, th. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 3 crash reports 1 injury

210

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

11.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

146 complaints
70%
  • • 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, TH
  • • AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF SMELLING BURNT OIL IN THE CABIN, I DISCOVERED A SERIOUS OIL LEAK ON THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS A BLOCK OFF PLATE ON THE RIGHT REAR CAMSHAFT AREA. IT IS A STAMPED STEEL PLATE HELD ON WITH THREE BOLTS AND SEALED WITH RTV. THE OIL WAS LEAKING AROUND THE BOTTOM BOLT AND DRIPPIN
  • • AFTER ENGINE WORMS UP, LET THE ENGINE IDLE AND STAYS AT 600 RPM FOR A FEW SECONDS, JUMP TO 1100 RPM THEN DOWN TO 600 AND 400, ENGINE SHAKES UP LIKE IS GOING TO STALL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT COME ON. DEALER TOLD ME IS A CAMSHAFT GEAR DEFECT THAT WILL NOT CHANGE THE ANGLE FOR THE VARIABLE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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, TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Scion FR-S

Based on 175 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 67K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
30
30-60K
43
60-100K
75
100-150K
25
150-200K
2
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 36K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
0
60-100K
4
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 75K mi · 123 reports
0-30K
11
30-60K
33
60-100K
54
100-150K
23
150-200K
2
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 62K mi · 17 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
3
60-100K
8
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE01/11/2018

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.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Scion FR-S

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,778
Per month
$148
Per mile
14.8¢
MPG
27
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,182/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,455/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Scion FR-S

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,478
Full coverage / month
$123
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-12%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 210 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: 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, TH

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: 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, TH

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: 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, TH

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL REPAIR REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE VALVE SPRINGS ON 1/8/19. THE CAR WAS READY FOR PICKUP TWO AND A HALF WEEKS LATER ON 1/25/19. AFTER EXACTLY TWO MONTHS, ON MARCH 8TH MY CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND WOBBLING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIG

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Scion dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Scion FR-S — Year Comparison

How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2015
18Average
2014
5Excellent Reliability
2013
210Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
210
Recalls
4
Fire reports
2
Crash reports
3
Injury reports
1
Segment avg
18

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Scion FR-S

Compare With

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