2013 Scion FR-S Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 4 FR-S years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Scion FR-S has 179 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 4 FR-S model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (147 complaints, 82% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 injury.
- Complaints
- 179
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 23 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2013 Scion FR-S problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine147 (82%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (12%)
- Fuel System9 (5%)
- Other8 (4%)
- Steering7 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
- Airbags3 (2%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
- Electrical System3 (2%)
- Structure & Body2 (1%)
2013 Scion FR-S recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V772000Nov 1, 2018Engine165,534 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
- NHTSA 16V075000Feb 10, 2016Electrical System25,706 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles manufactured March 13, 2012, to January 14, 2016 and equipped an automatic transmission and ignition key. Vehicles with a push-to-start button are not affected. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible to remove the ignition key without the transmission being in the "Park" position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the transmission is not in the "Park" position, the vehicle could roll away increasing the risk of a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition key/transmission interlock wiring connections, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0E.
- NHTSA 13V123000Apr 9, 2013Other7,525 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
2013 Scion FR-S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other FR-S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Scion FR-S a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Scion FR-S ranks worst among FR-S model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 179 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Scion FR-S?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (147 complaints), transmission & powertrain (21 complaints), and fuel system (9 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 68,550 miles.
- Does the 2013 Scion FR-S have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2013 Scion FR-S, most recently reported 2018, covering engine, electrical system, and other.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Scion FR-S?
- EPA rates the 2013 Scion FR-S at 26.5 MPG combined (23 city / 31.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.