NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2013 Scion FR-S (Page 1 of 2)

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,569 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Scion FR-S drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Scion FR-S Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Aug 282023

FR-S

  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact's son owns a 2013 Toyota Scion FR-S. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a loud screeching sound located at the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the clutch release bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #20

Jun 192020

FR-S

  • miles
2013 SCION FR-S Valve spring recall notice was received in the mail. Recalled valve spring replacement caused engine to seize twice. The first time the engine seized Tustin Toyota admitted fault, noting issue was from recall fix and repaired the engine at no cost. The second time the engine seized Toyota denied responsibility and wanted to charge $5000

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #19

Feb 022022

FR-S

  • miles
After completing the valve spring recall I got my car back and not 200 miles later the engine started to have rod knock. The Toyota dealership told me that there was now metal in my oil pan and I would need a new engine. This is not a unique issue, it has been happening to hundreds of other cars going through this exact recall, for years now.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #18

Mar 122020

FR-S

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electronic power steering makes a rattling noise which with time I believe it's going to lock up while driving

- Hidalgo, TX, USA

problem #17

Nov 282020

FR-S

  • 50,720 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Scion Fr-S. the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle off the highway and drove home at a very slow speed. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to expressway Toyota (700 morrissey blvd, boston, MA 02122) where an estimate for the diagnostic test was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,720.

- Dorchester, MA, USA

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problem #16

Jun 122019

FR-S

  • 67,000 miles
I had recall for the valve spring done on my car about 4-6 K miles and the engine while driving home on a highway at 60 mph and the engine started making a knocking noise. I drove to dealer ship 6/13/19 as I writing this and the noise has gotten louder sense I have arrived.

- Broghton, TN, USA

problem #15

Mar 202019

FR-S

  • 67,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have experienced major problems following the valve spring recall on the Scion Fr-S. approximately 1 month following the recall which was completed in March, my vehicle began experiencing a vibration, a loud rattling sound, and an engine knock. I took the vehicle to the dealership that completed the recall to have them inspect it. The dealership tried to give me the run around, ron hubbard Toyota in gallatin tn, eventually I fought with them and got them to inspect it. After over a month of calling and fighting with them and going to the dealership they told me it was a cracked flex plate causing the problems and tried to charge me 1500$. after much fighting and contacting Toyota headquarters and the dealership, I was persistent enough that they covered it. By now I had been without a vehicle for a month and half. I finally got the car back about two weeks ago and drove it one time almost 200 miles to run some errands. Well the vehicle experience the same engine rattle and knock but much worse. I limped the vehicle back home. When I started it up Friday to take it back to the dealership, it was much worse to the point that it sounded like the engine was going to fall apart and a very strong burning odor began to emit from the car. I was worried following reading about other problems so I immediately turned the vehicle off and contacts my insurance company who towed the vehicle to the dealership. This has been the worst experience I've ever dealt with.

- Hartsville, TN, USA

problem #14

Mar 092019

FR-S

  • 63,300 miles
Took my vehicle in for repairs and had the valve spring recall work done at the request of the service rep at the dealership ( rick hendrick Toyota of fayetteville ). came back the next day and drove my frs home without a problem. In the following days I noticed it was taking longer for the car to start, and was throwing the cel on a particularly hot day as well. I disregarded it and continued driving my car lightly around post. A few days later the difficulty starting was still there and eventually the car started emitting a loud knocking noise from the motor, I feared it was a dreaded rod knock which I knew could be disastrous for the motor internally. So I limped it home and had the vehicle towed to the dealership the next day on my dime to figure out what happened. This all happened over the course of 7-9 days after driving home from the recall work. That was over 5 weeks ago and I still haven't gotten a decisive answer as to what happened to my car and what might be the solution to said problem. The warranty company I used when I bought my car back in February ( vehicle was still under the 3000 mi, 3 month warranty mind you ) has been jerking both me and the dealer back and forth, and has stated they will only pay 2K for a new motor, which will surely be more than that, which makes me stuck with the rest of however much that repair may cost. Its unfortunate that its come to this, but over 70 other people have ran into similar problems after having recall work done, we deserve answers as to what happened to our cars.

- Fort Bragg, NC, USA

problem #13

Nov 132016

FR-S

  • 45,000 miles
I noticed my clutch would not shift into gear smoothly anymore and I baby my clutch all the time. One day when I was driving home I smelled something burning and then my car would not go even though it was in gear. I managed to get my car to drive again and it was fine. The next day I went to leave my house and I got around the corner and my car would not come out of first gear and would not go over 5 mph. I towed it to the dealership and theanual transmission bearing screw broke and made my transmission seize up with less than 50,000 miles.for them to do the work it costed 1500. I have taken my car in for the clutch not shifting right before and they said nothing was wrong. I know a couple people with the same car and they have had the same problem so I looked into 2013 Scion Fr-S manual transmission problems and I have found that the transmission has this problem with a lot of the vehicle. My car was in motion when it finally gave out on me I was driving down the city street and then my car just stopped moving and I had to push it back to my house. I was in the middle of the street when it happened I was pulling up to a red light so O was slowing down and then I couldn't move again. I asked if they have a recall on it and they said no so I asked the dealership if there is a way for them to replace the theowout bearing since it was a screw that broke and caused it to seize the transmission and they said not even though they knew that the car has the problem with it.

- Payson, AZ, USA

problem #12

Mar 152019

FR-S

  • 90,485 miles
I was notified by mail that they're was a safety recall for my 2013 aciom frs which was to replace my engine spring valve at no cost. I took in my car January 18 to have the work done it took around 2 weeks to get a respond back that my car was ready for pick up. I took it out and drove it for about 5 mile to get gas and when I turned on my car it was struggling to turn on and once it turned on it was it was shaking violently, 3 engine codes came up P0017 P0300P219A. I took it immediately to Toyota and all they did was clear my engine codes drove my car for about 30 miles and handed it back to me saying it was safe to drive. I had my car for about 2,000 miles I was driving back home at night and I heard a loud pop inside my engine so I parked the car. The next day I was going to my friend house to change my brakes and while I was on the freeway I head a soft engine knocking and it became louder and louder until the engine completly died on me and I was stranded. Toyota send a tow truck to pick up my car and when they inspected the engine they said I had a cylinder that was destroyed and a rod bearing destroyed and they said it was due to 'oil startvation'. I've owned that car for a year and I have never had a single issue with it, until now that they worked on my engine. They are telling me I gotta pay $8,600 out of pocket for a whole new short block and they don't want to take responsibility for the damages occur after their work.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 192019

FR-S

  • 87,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had the J02 valve spring recall done and 2 weeks and roughly 80 miles later my engune developed a knocking noise and started losing power the dealership that performed the recall denied responsibility even after finding fipg sealent in my oil pickup

- Sparta, TN, USA

problem #10

Feb 062019

FR-S

  • 72,000 miles
On February 6, 2019 I was pulling up to a traffic light on a city street at approximately 40 mph in heavy traffic and my clutch pedal stuck to the floor. The engine stalled and would restart, but I could not move the car either in forward or reverse. The vehicle has approximately 72,000 miles of mostly highway driving. I had the vehicle towed to my house and contacted a local Toyota dealer's service department and they confirmed an open safety recall existed (18V-772) that could cause the engine to stall. They called back after receiving the vehicle in their service department and and indicated that they could do the recall repair, but that my clutch release bearing had failed causing the engine to stall and since the vehicle's warranty has expired, I would have to pay for the replacement of the clutch and associated parts as well as towing and the rental car. They also indicated that the transmission might need replacement due to potential damage that the clutch failure caused. Subsequently, I found a tsb (s-sb-0012-17 dated 4/10/17) indicating that Toyota knew that the clutch release bearing design was bad and instructing dealers to replace it with an updated version. No recall of this defect was noted. Toyota knew a safety defect existed which would cause the engine to stall and the car to be undriveable, but chose to hide the problem from a recall.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #9

Jun 122018

FR-S

  • 81,140 miles
My 2013 10 series Scion frs has started knocking at 81, *** miles. There are known manufacturing mechanical defects that attribute to this catastrophic failure and have been occurring in a pattern amongst us frs,86, and brz. I was denied my claim due to "oil and coolant level being low" but I know [xxx] well that I took care of that car as if it was my child. Toyota and Subaru needs to fix their issues and cover our warranties which they choose to deny to get out of work. Toyota and Subaru will lose business if this is not addressed. Too many of these accounts are arising. Something needs to be done. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cairo, GA, USA

problem #8

May 202016

FR-S

  • 62,000 miles
Takata recall 2,000 miles past warranty, the check engine and traction control lights came on and lost power. Not sure if it happened while I was stopped or in transient. It was early in the morning on my way to work and I had just stopped at a gas station to get a cup of coffee. Toyota changed out the computer free of charge but the problem is still existing. Which means it's an internal engine/ transmission issue. The right rear tail light collects condensation too. Although it is not present currently in the photo. It is present after every wash or heavy rain. The left window seal rolling up and not sealing properly. I know their are many more people with these exact same issues, as I have read online but there are no recalls or support from Toyota to resolve these issues at this moment.

- Mocksville, NC, USA

problem #7

Nov 302016

FR-S

  • 42,000 miles
Toyota advised based on a freeze frame of data on the computer they were denying my warranty for an "over rev". the rev they are citing is 7300 RPM at 35 mph, which is under the factory set rev limiter and is also the correct rev for that speed in 1st gear on my 6 speed manual transmission. Further more I have evidence based on their freeze frame data that the data was not collected at the time of failure but at another point due to temperatures of the vehicle at the time of failure compared to the freeze frame data, as well as the run time stated on the freeze frame compared to how long I had driven the car that morning. Toyota has told me 4 times that the district parts and service manager has been the last one to deny the claim and has told me that to speak to him, I need to talk to dealer. The dealership has advised me that they cannot give his information out as he is a Toyota representative and not a dealership one. Toyota cannot prove that the information used is actually related to my claim and is stone walling any attempt of me to review this information with the representative that denied the claim. Outside of Toyota, the dealership cited exhaust modifications as a reason my warranty would no longer apply even though Toyota did not cite that in their denial, nor can they prove an exhaust caused internal engine failure. Toyota has also refused to send me a written official denial letter. The vehicle was stationary at a red light at the time of failure.

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #6

Feb 102015

FR-S

  • 25,000 miles
Ignition coil cel came on rarely at high 5-7K RPM gear shifts and first appeared around 25K, now at 37K miles it comes on consistently at high 5-7K RPM shifts. Transmission had to be replaced at 15K miles due to gears grinding with the clutch fully depressed when driving in any speeds. Coolant tank was improperly sealed permitting water to evaporate, I used electric tape to make a seal. Engine did not have a high pitch cricket-like noise upon purchase and within 100 miles and since it has a high pitched noise when idle. Passenger's window switch does not auto scroll upon pressing the 2nd notch about 10% of the time in any condition. Both driver and passenger windows have very distinct 3 inch wide streak marks from scrolling up and down. The center of the interior dashboard has been slightly warped since 15K miles.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 222014

FR-S

  • miles
Purchase an exedy stage 2 clutch with light flywheel part# 15953fw for a 2013 Scion frs. Issue is it lock out of gear in first and reverse gear. You have to used force to get it out of 1st and reverse gear. Also hard to get it into 1st and reverse gear. This is a problem with this clutch for this vehicle as many have reported this similar issue in ft86club forum. This locking and hard to get into gear makes it dangerous to drive the car when your in traffic or on the road. It occurs every time I drive my car regardless in the city or freeway. Nothing was done as I have contact the manufacture for a replacement part# 19599. They wanted me to send the old one to them for inspection while I have no replacement to put in my car so I can't drive my car. This is really a defected part and should be recalled as many are having the same issue.

- Dublin, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 212014

FR-S 4-cyl

  • 7,300 miles
Clutch broke in half.

- Somers, NY, USA

problem #3

Oct 152013

FR-S

  • 24,500 miles
This is intended to report a problem, not a one-time incident. The shift knob of my Fr-S is loose enough to rotate while shifting gears. I have read several other reports of this issue on online forums dedicated to this vehicle. I am concerned that it could potentially cause an accident due to partial misallocation of force from the operator's intended shifting direction into unwanted rotation of the gear knob. Missing a gear, or delaying or confusing the action mechanically can be a hazard. For example, it can be critical to make a fast and correct gear shift while merging into a traffic stream or while making a left turn against opposing traffic. The looseness of the shift knob, which in this case can rotate 5-15 degrees during a shift adds an unwanted and entirely unnecessary variable during operation of the vehicle. Scion/Toyota's response is that the rotational movement is "normal". a point with which I think no self-respecting automotive engineer would concur. Note: Proper shifting technique does not require significant rotating force to be applied to the shift knob. Nevertheless it is inevitable that some differential force be applied to one side of the knob while shifting through the gear pattern. Therefore the knob should be designed to resist those forces in order to direct the thrust in the direction intended by the operator. It should also be noted that the design of the Fr-S shift knob and integrated cap discourages tightening of the shift knob on its threads as that will cause the cap to lift out of the body of the shift knob.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

problem #2

Apr 112013

FR-S 4-cyl

  • 19,000 miles
My direct injector collar ended up damaged/missing completely, originally resulting in a violent "firecracker" popping sound under moderate throttle acceleration, due to the ECU with faulty programming. This is the 2nd time within a month of this happening to both direct injectors. This issue is causing fuel to leak/misfire from the injector causing the vehicle to run extremely lean, which can lead to accelerated engine ware and (worst case scenario) engine detonation and has happened to another person already.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

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