AI Damage2013 Scion FR-S: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Scion FR-S filed 179 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 179
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 79% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 4% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 3% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 2% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 2% of all complaints
- 8 Electrical system 1% of all complaints
- Engine: 141 complaints (79% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 21 complaints (12% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 8 complaints (4% of all).
- Steering: 7 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (3% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 6 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 179 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 141 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety defect involving a complete loss of steering control in my vehicle, 2013 Scion FR-S. While driving and making a turn, the steering system failed entirely, leaving me unable to control the direction of the vehicle.
Engine stalled won't crank over or run anymore. Mechanic said it was a valve spring issue and vehicle had a recall that entitled engine to be replaced by Toyota.
Tl* 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.
Immediately the engine ran sluggish and the air conditioning, which had worked, stopped blowing cold. On June 7, 2026 - four days and only a few miles later - the engine spun a rod bearing and began knocking loudly. The vehicle is now inoperable.
The car randomly shut off, i started it back up and it has a knock in the engine. Oil is super clean, and changed every 3k miles. I keep up with maintenance on my vehicle. I contacted Toyota and they had a Valve Spring Recall that leads to this very problem but somehow my vehicle isn't covered. I
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue.
The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 60 MPH, the engine warning light was flashing. The driver pulled to the side of the road, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence.
The fuel pump stopped working. I was driving to work on a busy highway and without any warning my car started slowing down. There were no warning lights or any indication of a problem. I pressed the gas pedal and no response from the motor.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,256 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the FR-S has 50 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 179, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Scion FR-S?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 179. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (44%), stalls while driving (23%), warning lights, check engine (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Scion FR-S?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Scion FR-S from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.