This page covers 5 recalls, 178 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Scion Fr-S.
25–28 mpg combined
8.4–9.4 L/100km
Minicompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2013 Scion FR-S draws complaints that center heavily on the engine, which accounts for the large majority of reports filed for this model year. Owners frequently describe unexpected engine stalls or shutdowns while driving, sometimes followed by a knocking sound on restart. A recurring pattern involves the check engine light flashing before the vehicle loses power, and several owners report being told the cause was internal engine failures such as broken valve springs. Powertrain complaints are a distant second, with a smaller cluster of reports covering drivetrain behavior. Steering draws a handful of reports describing sudden, complete loss of steering control during turns, leaving the driver unable to direct the vehicle. The engine stall and internal failure pattern is by far the dominant thread across these complaints.
178
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Scion FR-S has 5 recalls, the most serious being a valve spring that can fracture inside the engine, causing a stall or complete engine failure with no ability to restart while on the road.
Two recalls affect only automatic transmission models with a traditional ignition key (push-to-start vehicles are not affected): the ignition interlock can allow the key to be removed while the transmission is not in Park, letting the car roll away unexpectedly. There is also an owner's manual recall affecting vehicles built in a narrow early production window, where inaccurate descriptions of the front passenger seat sensor and airbag system could lead an owner to misunderstand how the airbag behaves in a crash, raising the risk of injury to a front passenger.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine valve springs may fracture, which can cause the engine to fail or stall and prevent the vehicle from restarting.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine valve springs.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine valve springs may crack, which can cause the engine to malfunction or stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the valve springs at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain 2013-2016 Scion FR-S vehicles with automatic transmission and traditional ignition keys, the ignition key can be removed even when the transmission is not in Park, which prevents proper rollaway protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and correct the ignition key and transmission interlock wiring connections at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ignition key interlock may not be properly connected, allowing the key to be removed when the transmission is in a gear other than PARK, which could cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and connect the delivery mode connectors to restore proper key interlock function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual contains incorrect information about how the front passenger airbag system determines whether to deploy, and other airbag system descriptions need clarification.
What the fix does
Toyota will mail corrected owner's manual inserts to you at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
