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Scion FR-SModel year report

2013 Scion FR-S Problems

Complaints
179filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
68,550miles, 148 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 24 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Scion FR-S (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine trouble, particularly a loud knocking or ticking that can lead to a stall, and many of those reports were filed after the vehicle had valve-spring recall work performed. Complaints also cover a noisy high-pressure fuel pump, clutch-area noise, and intermittent rough or stalling idle. Reports span a wide mileage range, from near-new cars to examples past 150,000 miles.

  1. Engine

    Engine knock and stalling after valve-spring recall work

    Mentioned in 43 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe an abnormal ticking or metallic knocking from the engine that sometimes appears shortly after the engine valve-spring recall was completed, often preceded by rough running or a check engine light. Many say the vehicle then stalled or lost power while driving and was towed to a dealer. Several report the dealer found metal debris or silicone sealant in the oil pan or pickup and attributed the damage to a spun rod bearing or oil starvation, while others say the dealer declined to cover repairs or described the noise as normal. Reports cluster on vehicles that had the recall performed, with failures described from as little as a few dozen miles up to 15,000 miles after the work, at odometer readings spanning roughly 17,000 to 169,000 miles.

    Recall 18V7720006 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for documentation of the valve-spring recall (campaign 18V772000) and whether any engine work followed; have a mechanic listen for knocking, check for metal debris in the oil, and confirm oil level and condition.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I took it in for the valve spring recall. I drove it for 8000 miles/9 months later. Car started knocking and stalled. Engine had a oil galley that got clogged, which cause oil starvation. Car ended up needing a new engine, dealership refused to cover the cost of the replacement. The car was being driven home on a residential street.”

    NHTSA complaint #11324612, filed 2020-05, 89,000 miles

    “So I took my FR-S to get a recall back in december and following that my car had rattling noises and an oil leakage that the dealership covered. After a month they gave me my car back and it sounded fine. However, I continued hearing that rattle noise just softer, but two months later the following occurred to me. While driving my car on the highway an engine light turned on. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11323075, filed 2020-05, 57,000 miles
  2. Fuel system

    Noisy high-pressure fuel pump

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe a loud chirp, squeak, or ticking from the high-pressure fuel pump, sometimes most noticeable after the engine is fully warmed and idling. Owners report the part being replaced once and the noise returning, and one describes the dealer declining further repair. Others mention a gasoline smell in the cabin after engine work. Reported from very low mileage (a few thousand miles) up into the 60,000-90,000 mile range, often at idle once warmed up.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Start the car and let it idle until fully warm to listen for a high-pitched chirp or squeak near the fuel pump, and ask whether the pump or injector seals have been serviced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “So I'll just to get straight to the point. I have a 2013 Scion FR-S that literally this past monday I took in for the recall because it was required for me to get my registration. The day I took it in was july 26 2020 with 99630 miles. I received it yesterday at 5pm from the dealership as they told me that the vehicle was done and ready and that it was healthy. I drove it straight to my parents which wasn't too far and then later on around 8:30 I went home. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11342184, filed 2020-07, 99,860 miles

    “I received a recall notice from toyota for 2013 Scion FR-S. Bring the car to toyota of bowie. Dealership conducted repair. Subsequent complete engine failure. Dealership replaced the motor with used crate motor from japan (70k miles). Dealership conducts recall repair on the crate motor and installed delivers it to me. 150 miles later engine breaks down. Strong gasoline smell in car. Fear for conflagration I pull over. Dealership tows car to do the additional repair. How many times does the dealership get to fail to conduct the same repair? …”

    NHTSA complaint #11308998, filed 2020-02, 130,000 miles
  3. Engine

    Rough or hunting idle and cold-start stumble

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe the idle dropping and surging, with the engine shuddering as if about to stall, and the check engine and stability lights coming on. One owner reports a dealer diagnosis of a camshaft gear and oil control valve problem affecting variable valve timing. Others mention rough running on cold start and RPM dipping at stop lights. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 90,000 miles, often at idle after warm-up or at stops.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Let the engine idle for several minutes during the test drive and watch the tachometer for surging or dips; ask whether the ECU calibration has been updated or any camshaft timing components replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My new car has been in and out of the shop for the past month (4 times). The check engine light keeps coming on and the dealer does not know how to fix it. The car does not also seem to be able to hold an idle speed. When my foot has the clutch completely depressed and my other foot on the brake, the engine idle just goes from 500 to 1000 and back down to 500 and the car shudders and almost stalls. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10474058, filed 2012-09, 4,494 miles

    “Took our 2013 Scion FR-S to temecula valley toyota for j02 valve spring replacement recall. After about 6,000 miles of easy driving, FR-S began to run rough. This rough running was only intermittent and eventually subsided. Rough running engine returned along with what I considered a rod knock . We immediately parked the vehicle and did not use it after first noticing the knock. Vehicle towed back to dealership who performed recall. Dealership informs us that the engine is destroyed (their words). …”

    NHTSA complaint #11292466, filed 2020-01, 92,000 miles
  4. Other or unknown

    Fuel filler backs up / difficult refueling

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    An owner reports the intake line backing up when pumping gas, triggering the gas pump's shutoff, and says the issue was attributed to the charcoal canister with a costly repair estimate. The same complaint notes similar reports from other owners of early-build cars. Reported around 70,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether refueling has ever been difficult or the pump has clicked off early, and whether the evaporative emissions canister or related lines have been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When attempting to pump gas, the intake line backs up and triggers the security switch on the gas pump. I was told this is an issue with the charcoal canister. Upon review of some forum posts, it seems like this is a very common issue on the early 2013 FR-S's. Toyota needs to accept accountability for this. The dealership is trying to charge me over $1,700 to fix the issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #11234536, filed 2019-07, 70,000 miles

    “Took the car in to toyota dealer for a safety recall on the engine. Now it runs rough and the engine knocks all the time. The dealer says it is normal after the recall. It sounds like a diesel now and I am afraid to drive it. I own two of these and they both have the same problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #11323377, filed 2020-05, 78,000 miles

Buying note. Have any 2013 FR-S inspected by an independent mechanic before purchase, focusing on engine noise, oil condition, and whether the valve-spring recall work was completed and followed by any problems. Request service records for the recall, fuel pump, and clutch work so you know what has already been addressed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Counts refer to that sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 179 consumer complaints for the 2013 Scion FR-S. 148 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,550 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 166 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (2), Electronic stability control (1), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Driving to work, had a knock at around 3500 rpms. Knock progressively worsened. I pushed in the clutch to coast off the freeway and the car died. Engine oil PSI light momentarily illuminated. This happend within just a few thousand miles of having the valve spring recall performed. I will be towing the car to a toyota dealership after work”

NHTSA complaint #11218511, filed 2019-06, 96,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11219736, filed 2019-06, 67,000 miles

Fuel system: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11208874, filed 2019-05, 63,300 miles

Other or unknown: “Its a takata recall. The car was making a screeching noise when I first bought it. At first I thought I had to do something with the brakes but then when I was driving it stalled on me and didn't want to work. The engine turned off on me many times when I would turn it on”

NHTSA complaint #11235286, filed 2019-07, 90,280 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

30% of the 148 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 41,900 and 92,400 miles.

9%0–105%10–2516%25–5024%50–7528%75–10016%100–1501%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (148 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 68,550 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’12’14’16’1880’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Scion FR-S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
FR-S RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic243328$2,950
FR-S RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual223025$3,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Scion FR-S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 166 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 166 bulletins →

Other model years of the Scion FR-S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20151432,0003—28—Not enough data
2014559,5902—28—Not enough data
201317968,5504—28Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling

All Scion FR-S model years

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Scion FR-S?

Owners of this model year most often describe engine trouble, particularly a loud knocking or ticking that can lead to a stall, and many of those reports were filed after the vehicle had valve-spring recall work performed. The issues reported most often: Engine knock and stalling after valve-spring recall work; Noisy high-pressure fuel pump; Rough or hunting idle and cold-start stumble.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Scion FR-S have?

NHTSA recorded 179 consumer complaints for the 2013 Scion FR-S as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Scion FR-S is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 141 complaints (79% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 21.

Has the 2013 Scion FR-S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Scion FR-S get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Scion FR-S (FR-S, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 24 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Scion FR-S reported?

Among the 148 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,550 miles and the middle half falls between 41,900 and 92,400 miles; 30% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.