2013 Scion Fr-S

PETITION FOR RULEMAKING Request for Federal Automotive Safety Review — Brake Pedal Obstruction by Loose Objects To: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) From: [XXX] Subject: Request to Investigate Brake Pedal Obstruction and Establish an Obstruction-Resistant Braking Safety Standard Dear Administrator: I am submitting this petition under 49 U.S.C. § 30162 and 49 CFR Part 552 to request a formal safety review of automotive brake pedal designs. I am concerned that loose objects inside passenger vehicles, particularly thermos bottles, beverage containers, flashlights, and other rigid objects, can become trapped beneath the driver's brake pedal. During sudden braking or an initial minor collision, unsecured objects may move from the passenger seat or other areas into the driver's footwell. An object trapped beneath the brake pedal can prevent sufficient pedal travel and potentially result in the driver's inability to stop the vehicle, causing a much more severe secondary collision. I believe brake-pedal systems should be designed to remain functional despite foreseeable obstructions beneath the pedal. One potential solution would be a scissor-like or alternative articulated mechanism that can transmit braking force even when an object interferes with the pedal's normal downward travel. For existing brake systems, there should be a fairly easy modification to accomidate this safety feature. New cars can add a more automated safety feature. I recognize that this concept requires engineering evaluation and testing before its effectiveness can be established. I respectfully request that NHTSA: 1. Review available accident and complaint data for incidents involving loose objects obstructing brake pedals, including possible secondary collisions. 2. Investigate the susceptibility of existing brake-pedal designs to obstruction by common passenger-compartment objects. 3. Evaluate alternative brake-pedal mechanisms, including articulate INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

NHTSA ID

11774847

Incident

Oct 31, 2026

On approximately May 27, 2026 I delivered my 2013 Scion FR-S (approx. 105,000 miles) to an authorized Toyota dealer for Safety Recall J02 (NHTSA 18V-772, engine valve spring replacement). I picked it up on June 3, 2026. Immediately the engine ran sluggish and the air conditioning, which had worked, stopped blowing cold. On June 7, 2026 - four days and only a few miles later - the engine spun a rod bearing and began knocking loudly. The vehicle is now inoperable. This recall requires removing and disassembling the engine and is widely documented to cause oil starvation and spun bearings when excess RTV sealant from reassembly clogs the oil pickup screen. My engine ran normally for years and failed within days of the recall repair. The recall repair caused catastrophic engine failure. No crash or injury has occurred; the vehicle is parked to prevent further damage.

NHTSA ID

11742856

Incident

Jun 7, 2026

I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety defect involving a complete loss of steering control in my vehicle, 2013 Scion FR-S. While driving and making a turn, the steering system failed entirely, leaving me unable to control the direction of the vehicle. I retained only braking and acceleration capabilities. There where no waring lights or mechanical indicators of potential or probable failure. As a result of this failure, I was involved in a collision with a nearby vehicle. Following the incident, I researched the issue and discovered a known failure point in the electric power steering (EPS) system, specifically related to the steering column EPS damper bushing. This appears to be a recognized defect that has not been addressed at the factory level, despite the significant safety risk it poses. I believe this issue warrants investigation to prevent future incidents and potential injuries. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ID

11706415

Incident

Nov 27, 2025

The car randomly shut off, i started it back up and it has a knock in the engine. Oil is super clean, and changed every 3k miles. I keep up with maintenance on my vehicle. I contacted Toyota and they had a Valve Spring Recall that leads to this very problem but somehow my vehicle isn't covered. I

NHTSA ID

11703673

Incident

Sep 22, 2025

The car randomly shut off, i started it back up and it has a knock in the engine. Oil is super clean, and changed every 3k miles. I contacted Toyota and they had a Valve Spring Recall that leads to this very problem but somehow my vehicle isnt covered.

NHTSA ID

11653904

Incident

Jan 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Scion FR-S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The dealer and manufacturer informed the contact that the recall could not be performed because the engine in the vehicle was not the OEM part. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11644023

Incident

Feb 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Scion FR-S. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 60 MPH, the engine warning light was flashing. The driver pulled to the side of the road, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that there was a fractured engine valve spring. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V772000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ID

11628526

Incident

Nov 5, 2024

Mileage

84,000 mi

sometimes the car randomly stalls out during driving. usually off cold starts if i let it warm up for even 5 minutes it still will stall out sometimes. its not super common id say it does it once every 2 days maybe. the car is also misfiring and ive noticed a large loss of power from the car. it started back in june and i just havent really gotten it fixed yet. usually when im driving itll kind of just buffer and a check engine light is thrown on but it ends up going off after a couple drives.

NHTSA ID

11619011

Incident

Jun 15, 2024

DD: Toyota has worked with Carma Project, Inc. on a tagging program for Takata recalls in certain ?Zone A? areas in an effort to increase completions in higher risk locations. Carma uses license plate reading technology to determine if a vehicle may have an open recall. When a vehicle with an open recall is found, Carma drivers print out and place a tag on the vehicle they encounter advising the driver of the recall and the need to get the vehicle repaired. Carma recently changed its tagging platform, enabling it to offer expanded tagging through Carma ?affiliates? in more locations in the U.S.

DD: Toyota has worked with Carma Project, Inc. on a tagging program for Takata recalls in certain ?Zone A? areas in an effort to increase completions in higher risk locations. Carma uses license plate reading technology to determine if a vehicle may have an open recall. When a vehicle with an open recall is found, Carma drivers print out and place a tag on the vehicle they encounter advising the driver of the recall and the need to get the vehicle repaired. Carma recently changed its tagging platform, enabling it to offer expanded tagging through Carma ?affiliates? in more locations in the U.S.

TT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE December 20, 2019: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

TSB: In the event that injector seal repair is required on vehicles equipped with a direct injection fuel system, a Special Service Tool Set is required to properly install the seal onto the injector. As new vehicle configurations have been released, several injector seal tool sets have been distributed to accommodate these new vehicles. There are a total of two injector seal tool sets for Scion models, located in the appropriate SST cabinets. Each kit contains multiple pieces as shown in the diagram below. The individual pieces must remain together to ensure these tools are used correctly. Refer to the repair manual for the tool information to ensure the correct tool is used for the desired application.

TSB: In the event that injector seal repair is required on vehicles equipped with a direct injection fuel system, a Special Service Tool Set is required to properly install the seal onto the injector. As new vehicle configurations have been released, several injector seal tool sets have been distributed to accommodate these new vehicles. There are a total of two injector seal tool sets for Scion models, located in the appropriate SST cabinets. Each kit contains multiple pieces as shown in the diagram below. The individual pieces must remain together to ensure these tools are used correctly. Refer to the repair manual for the tool information to ensure the correct tool is used for the desired application.