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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 2.6x the segment average of 80. 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. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 3 crash reports 1 injury

210

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

TRANSMISSION

21 complaints
10%
  • • 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
  • • MY DIRECT INJECTOR COLLAR ENDED UP DAMAGED/MISSING COMPLETELY, ORIGINALLY RESULTING IN A VIOLENT "FIRECRACKER" POPPING SOUND UNDER MODERATE THROTTLE ACCELERATION, DUE TO THE ECU WITH FAULTY PROGRAMMING. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME WITHIN A MONTH OF THIS HAPPENING TO BOTH DIRECT INJECTORS. THIS ISSUE IS CAU
  • • THIS IS INTENDED TO REPORT A PROBLEM, NOT A ONE-TIME INCIDENT. THE SHIFT KNOB OF MY FR-S IS LOOSE ENOUGH TO ROTATE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON ONLINE FORUMS DEDICATED TO THIS VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO P
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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

FUEL SYSTEM

9 complaints
4%
  • • 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
  • • 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
  • • 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 OF
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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

OTHER

8 complaints
4%
  • • 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
  • • 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 T
  • • 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 F
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

7 complaints
3%
  • • 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 HAPP
  • • MY 2013 SCION FRS CURRENTLY HAVE 18K MILES AND RANDOMLY LOSING POWER TO STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES ALREADY AND TWO TO THOSE WAS ALMOST AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENED TWICE WHEN I WAS TURNING, ONCE WHEN I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT, AND ONCE WHEN I WAS IDLING. POWER STEERING IN
  • • POWER STEERING RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, HAS HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, WHILE TURNING, HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE ON 2 PREVIOUS OCCASIONS BUT TODAY THE SAME ISSUE CONTINUES
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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 HAPP”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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

  • ☐
    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
18Excellent Reliability
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
0
Fire reports
2
Crash reports
3
Injury reports
1
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Scion FR-S

Compare With

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