Is the 2015 Scion FR-S reliable?

The 2015 Scion FR-S has 18 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Scion FR-S?

Top problems: ENGINE (5 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (2 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Scion FR-S?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH. Contact any Scion dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Scion FR-S?

The 2015 Scion FR-S gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Scion FR-S?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Scion FR-S is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2015 Scion FR-S

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Scion FR-S has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 18. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle started to stutter and having a loud knock from engine after sitting for 6 hours on a normal night, normal driving conditions, maintenance kept up including recent oil change... started to drive the vehicle and it had loud pinging and knocking became louder when i tried to accelerate once ge. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

5 complaints

28%

• VEHICLE STARTED TO STUTTER AND HAVING A LOUD KNOCK FROM ENGINE AFTER SITTING FOR 6 HOURS ON A NORMAL NIGHT, NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MAINTENANCE KEPT UP INCLUDING RECENT OIL CHANGE... STARTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD LOUD PINGING AND KNOCKING BECAME LOUDER WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE ONCE GE
• WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, IT STARTED MISFIRING, THROWING UP A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND IT WAS ROUGH TO KEEP IT RUNNING. UPON TOWING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVING IT INVESTIGATED FOR THE ROOT CAUSE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE SPRINGS ON A CYLINDER ARE FAILING. THIS ISSUE IS IDENTICAL
• I was driving 80 mph in the inner lane of a multi lane highway. Out of no where with no warning lights or sounds the car just lost all power, the steering felt like it locked and the car fell on it's face. I was almost hit by two different cars trying to get over to the shoulder and there was whit

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“VEHICLE STARTED TO STUTTER AND HAVING A LOUD KNOCK FROM ENGINE AFTER SITTING FOR 6 HOURS ON A NORMAL NIGHT, NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MAINTENANCE KEPT UP INCLUDING RECENT OIL CHANGE... STARTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD LOUD PINGING AND KNOCKING BECAME LOUDER WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE ONCE GE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (3)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS09/06/2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Scion FR-S

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/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

Show:

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 2015 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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

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

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: VEHICLE STARTED TO STUTTER AND HAVING A LOUD KNOCK FROM ENGINE AFTER SITTING FOR 6 HOURS ON A NORMAL NIGHT, NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MAINTENANCE KEPT UP INCLUDING RECENT OIL CHANGE... STARTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD LOUD PINGING AND KNOCKING BECAME LOUDER WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE ONCE GE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: CONTINUED...IT IS RIDICULOUS OF THIS IAB@NYPD.ORG TO IGNORE COMPLAINTS OF SUCH UNSAFE CARS AS THIS SMALL LITTLE CAR THAT THEY USE THAT I SAW TODAY WITH THE NYPD 101 OR NYPD 105 THERE THAT HAS REGULAR LIGHTS ON THE TOP OF THE CAR AND CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE WORK ALMOST AS STUPID AS THE NYPD HW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I AM WRITING TO FILE YET ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT AN UNSAFE NYPD CAR I SAW TODAY ON ROCKAWAY TNPK IN LAWRENCE, NY THERE OF THE 101 PCT OR THE 105 PCT. YES, HAVE ANY OF YOU SEEN THESE SMALL LITTLE CARS LIKE THE LAPD HAS? YES, THE LAPD HAS SMALL LITTLE VEHICLES LIKE THIS BUT THEY ARE USED TO JUST TRANS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: THE PASSAGER REAR CALIPER MALFUNCTION CAUSE THE BRAKE PAD FLY AWAY FROM THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 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 2015 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: 18
Recalls: 3
Fire reports: 1
Crash reports: 2
Injury reports: 0
Segment avg: 18

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2015 Scion FR-S

Compare With

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