Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
NHTSA campaign 18V772000 · 2018 · reported 11/01/2018
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2013 Scion FR-S Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 6.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
179Complaints
4Recalls
3Crashes
3Fires
1Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine (78.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine complaints here are 6.5× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 141 · 78.8% | Recalled | Recall 18V772000 |
| Power Train | 21 · 11.7% | Recalled | Recall 16V075000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 · 4.5% | No official action | — |
| Steering | 7 · 3.9% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 · 2.8% | Recalled | Recall 18V772000 |
| Wheels | 3 · 1.7% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 179 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 4 campaigns
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
NHTSA campaign 16V075000 · 2016 · reported 02/10/2016
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
NHTSA campaign 12V255000 · 2012 · reported 06/05/2012
IF A USER READS AND FOLLOWS INACCURATE OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION, THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Equipment:other:labels
NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 2013 · reported 04/09/2013
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“MY VEHICLE HAD THE J02 RECALL PERFORMED ON 1-22-2019. SIX MONTHS LATER (ONLY 2,000 MILES LATER ON THE CAR) THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE BEGAN TO HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 11339655 — filed 07/16/2020 · ENGINE
“ON JUNE 28TH I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A RAINY DAY. WHILE TAKING A CURVE THE CAR LOST TRACTION CAUSE THE TRACTION LIGHT TO…”NHTSA complaint 11331414 — filed 06/29/2020 · ENGINE
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL TAPPING NOISE…”NHTSA complaint 11329646 — filed 06/18/2020 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Scion FR-S?
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 141 of 179 NHTSA complaints (78.8%), followed by power train (21), fuel/propulsion system (8), unspecified/other issues (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2013 Scion FR-S have?
179 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 1 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2013 Scion FR-S have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V772000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2013 Scion FR-S's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
