AI Damage2015 Scion FR-S: common problems
Owners of the 2015 Scion FR-S filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 36% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 5 complaints (36% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
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 1 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 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 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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.
Steering wheel began clunking and locking up when turning. Had this issue on a previous FRS, Electronic Power Steering Motor Coupler had failed and needed replacement.
The tech mention of engine over heating however the temperature gauge never reached overheating readings. If the engine overheated the temperature gauge failed to alert me while I was driving at any point and expressed this to the service advisor.
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 white smoke pouring out of the exhaust making cars behind me swerve because they couldn't…
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.
The passager rear caliper malfunction cause the brake pad fly away from the right rear brake
Reverse lockout on the stick shift does not function. During shifting the driver can accidently put the vehicle in reverse while moving forward or put the vehicle in reverse while trying to put it into first gear. This can happen at any time during the shifting process.
The car has a check engine light and downshifts are very jerky and hard. Upshifts are fine, but in both manual mode (paddle shifts) and in automatic mode, coming to a stop and downshifting through the gears results in hard, jerky violent movements and the car fails to rev match.
The seat belt latch sticks. Doesnt easily press to unlatch seat belt. On drivers side.
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 9,551 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the FR-S has 50 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 14, below 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.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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 2015 Scion FR-S?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (29%), knocking, grinding or other noise (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2015 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 2015 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 2015 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.