AI Damage2016 Scion FR-S: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Scion FR-S filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 34 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 34
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 33% of all complaints
- Engine: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (33% 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 1 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 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 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
There was a recall on the power train system for the 2016 Scion frs models and mines just failed. I was never notified about this recall. Can the recall be reopened
Issue is revealed by squealing sound at start up, which dealer replicated and confirmed issue is bad throw out bearing. Quoted me $850 for the repair. I have not had a clutch issue in 25 years of only driving manual transmission vehicles prior.
High pressure fuel pump noise at idle could be indicative of malfunction
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 1,806 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 14% least complained about).
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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Vehicle Rides Rough Due to Spacers Not Removed from Front Struts During Pre-Delivery Service(PDS)
- Pre-Delivery Service(PDS)
- Pre Delivery Service Checklist
- Floor Mat Installation During PDS
- Spring Spacer Removal During PDS
- TT
HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
- SSB
Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying your dealership's new car customers. Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: ? Careful inspection for…
- SSB
Some 2016 model year vehicles are equipped with a Smart Key system, which allows the customer to enter and start the vehicle without using a mechanical key. To ensure the system is operating properly, the Smart Key…
- SSB
2016 model year vehicles are equipped with driver's side floor mat retaining clips to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may utilize retaining clips for passenger side floor mats as…
- SSB
Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to keep vehicles factory fresh and ready for delivery. The following guidelines should be performed to minimize vehicle component/part degradation due to extended…
- SSB
The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose the air conditioning system after a component failure. Refer to the applicable Repair Manual for vehicle specific repair procedures and…
- TT
The Scion FR-S Repair manual calls for the use Three Bond 1217G or equivalent (TB 1217H) when performing mechanical Engine repairs on the FR-S FA20 Engine. Toyota FIPG 1207B (Part# 00295-00103) is NOT compatible with…
NHTSA lists 34 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Copart: My 2016 Scion FRS Total Costamount per author: 12,500 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- FIXING A HIT & RUN ACCIDENT | 2016 SCION FRS
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Scion FR-S?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (33%), knocking, grinding or other noise (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Scion FR-S?
NHTSA lists 34 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 2016 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 2016 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 2026-11-04.