YearToAvoid

2013 Scion FR-S Engine Problems

NHTSA has 147 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2013 Scion FR-S, 82% of all 179 complaints for this model year. That is the highest engine complaint count among 4 FR-S model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 2 fires. Median mileage at failure: 75,445 miles.

Engine complaints
147
82% of 179
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
75,445 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2013 Scion FR-S engine complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 6, 2012, latest Jun 8, 2026.

2013 Scion FR-S engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter422012 Q32016 Q32018 Q22019 Q32020 Q32021 Q32023 Q12025 Q2
147 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q2 (42).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Scion FR-S

  1. 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.

Engine complaints by FR-S model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2013147 (82%)
  2. 20144 (80%)
  3. 20155 (36%)
  4. 20161 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Scion FR-S have engine problems?
NHTSA has 147 owner complaints about the engine in the 2013 Scion FR-S, 82% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 75,445 miles.
Which Scion FR-S year has the most engine complaints?
The 2013 Scion FR-S has the most engine complaints (147), compared with 147 for the 2013.
Is there a engine recall for the 2013 Scion FR-S?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2013 Scion FR-S concerns the engine: 18V772000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.