2013 Scion Fr-S Problems

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.

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

The contact's son owns a 2013 Toyota Scion FR-S. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a loud screeching sound located at the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the clutch release bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

2013 SCION FR-S Valve spring recall notice was received in the mail. Recalled valve spring replacement caused engine to seize twice. The first time the engine seized Tustin Toyota admitted fault, noting issue was from recall fix and repaired the engine at no cost. The second time the engine seized Toyota denied responsibility and wanted to charge $5000

The fuel pump stopped working. I was driving to work on a busy highway and without any warning my car started slowing down. There were no warning lights or any indication of a problem. I pressed the gas pedal and no response from the motor. I pushed in the clutch and put my 4 ways on and luckily coasted to a spot I could pull off the road at. Once safe and stopped I tried to start the car again and it sputtered and shut off. The car has been running funny on n off for a little bit I didn't think it could be the fuel pump but It seems it was the problem. The pump wasn't inspected by anyone but after replacing it the car was back to normal.

GASOLINE OVERFLOWS WHEN FUELING

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.

Steering locks and binds up and clunks while driving, makes steering. Creates dangerous situations as you cannot steer when this occurs. Diagnosed as a failed electric steering damper, repair performed by owner as dealer quoted over $900 for the repair to replace the entire electric power steering motor. This should be a recall as it affects the steering of the car. This failure occurs so commonly on these cars that owners are repairing it themselves with no manufacturer help. See: https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133606

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AND EASILY TURNS LEFT, ALMOST ON ITS OWN. WHERE AS TURNING IT TO THE RIGHT IS TIGHT AND MORE DIFFICULT. THIS MAKES DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY ON WINDY DAYS. I'VE READ ABOUT IT HERE AND THERE ONLINE WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHATS HAPPENING AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE. ONE PERSON STATED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED ALIGNMENT.

CPSC: I13B0068A. 2013 SCION. CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL IT FAILED CAUSING HIM TO USE HIS EMERGENCY BRAKES. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKE, TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT DID NOT RELEASE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT MICHAEL'S TOYOTA OF BELLEVUE (3080 148TH AVE SE, BELLEVUE, WA 98007, (425) 455-9500), BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS TOO SENSITIVE. PLACING A WEIGHT SUCH AS A MOBILE PHONE ACTIVATES THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS. IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS TO A PASSENGER OR CAUSE ADDITIONAL UNNECESSARY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IS FACTORY INCLUDING THE SEATS, ELECTRONICS, AND AIRBAGS. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IF THE ENGINEER IS IN, THIS ISSUE IS PRESENT. ACCIDENTALLY DEPLOYED AIRBAGS MAY CAUSE INJURY IT DEATH.

EVERY TIME THE TIRES NEED TO BE FIX, ONE OR MORE OF THE THE LUG NUTS AND THE STUDS BREAK WHILE TRYING TO TAKE THEM OUT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, HAVING TO REPLACE 7 LUGS AND STUDS IN ALL 4 TIRES. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH FEWER LUGS THAN THE ONES RECOMMENDED BY NHTSA.

THE BOLTS AND STUDS HAVE CONTINUALLY GONE BAD ON MY CAR. I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BOLTS AND ALMOST 10 OF THE STUDS. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT NOR HAD ANY DAMAGE TO THE WHEELS BEFORE. NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING, BUT I CAN'T EVEN CHANGE MY TIRES WITHOUT A BOLT BREAKING. VERY DANGEROUS!

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 COME ON AS WELL AS THE ABS LIGHT. A FEW MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED BRAKING WITHOUT ME EVEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE BREAK.

AFTER LEAVING A RESIDENCE, GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY WITH NO ISSUES FOR ABOUT 1/4 MILE, SUDDENLY UPON GETTING ABOUT TO 50 MPH, I FELT A SHIMMY. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. BUT I WAS SMELLING A BURNING SMELL PRETTY QUICKLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM A POLLUTED SEMI TRUCK. BUT IT GOT STRONGER. SO, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE FIRST EXIT ANOTHER 1/4 MILE UP. I TURNED ON HAZARDS AND SLOWED TO 40 AND EXITED. UPON STOPPING I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND INSPECTED FIRST THE ENGINE, SEEING NO SMOKE AROUND IT. I THEN INSPECTED THE TIRES. ALL GOOD. SO I OPTED FOR A TOUCH TEST FOR OVERHEATED TIRE, TO SEE IF THEY WERE HOT. WHICH GIVEN I ONLY DROVE MAYBE 1.5 MILES TOTAL, OR 2, THIS SEEMED UNLIKELY. WHEN LEANING TO TOUCH THE LEFT REAR TIRE, I SAW A FLAME COME OUT FROM BEHIND IT, AND IMMEDIATELY GOT AWAY FROM THE CAR AND CALLED 911 FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARRIVED AND DETERMINED THAT LUCKILY THE FIRE HAD EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. UPON MECHANICAL INSPECTION, I LEARNED THE CALIPER FROZE SO THE BRAKE PAD HAD IGNITED. WHILE I WAS DRIVING. A LIVE FLAME UNDER MY CAR, I AM LUCKY NOTHING HAPPENED. I AM TERRIFIED OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WHAT IF ITS IN THE FRONT TIRE NEAR THE ENGINE? *TR

VALVE SPRING RECALL WAS DONE LESS THAN 2K MILES AGO ON THIS VEHICLE. IT CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 49,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOW EXPERIENCING SEVERE POWER LOSS. WHEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED DUE TO SUDDEN TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING ALL THE GEARS AND COILS RELATED TO TIMING CHAINS, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO A BAD ECU. TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY.

IGNITION COIL CEL CAME ON RARELY AT HIGH 5-7K RPM GEAR SHIFTS AND FIRST APPEARED AROUND 25K, NOW AT 37K MILES IT COMES ON CONSISTENTLY AT HIGH 5-7K RPM SHIFTS. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 15K MILES DUE TO GEARS GRINDING WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED WHEN DRIVING IN ANY SPEEDS. COOLANT TANK WAS IMPROPERLY SEALED PERMITTING WATER TO EVAPORATE, I USED ELECTRIC TAPE TO MAKE A SEAL. ENGINE DID NOT HAVE A HIGH PITCH CRICKET-LIKE NOISE UPON PURCHASE AND WITHIN 100 MILES AND SINCE IT HAS A HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHEN IDLE. PASSENGER'S WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT AUTO SCROLL UPON PRESSING THE 2ND NOTCH ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME IN ANY CONDITION. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE VERY DISTINCT 3 INCH WIDE STREAK MARKS FROM SCROLLING UP AND DOWN. THE CENTER OF THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY WARPED SINCE 15K MILES.

THE FIRST TIME MY TIRE AND RIM WAS DESTROYED IT WAS SOME TIME IN FEBRUARY 2013,WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTESTATE .I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST AS A MATTER OF FACT I WAS GOING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT, BECAUSE IF I WAS GOING FAST MY CAR WOULD FLIP AND WHO KNOWS HOW WOULD IT ENDS. ANYWAY I HEARD A THUD IN MY FROM TIRE AND IT IMMEDIATELY STATED TO WOBBLE BEFORE I COULD STOP. I EVENTUALLY STOP AND WAS SURPRISE TO SEE THE RIM SPLIT IN THE SEAM AND THE TIRE TOTAL. THE SECOND TIME I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WAS JUNE 21,2014,I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN AND FELL MY CAR WOBBLING AGAIN ,THIS TIME IT WAS MY REAR TIRE ,AND WAS SURPRISE AGAIN TO SEE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SPLIT ALL AROUND IN THE SEAM AGAIN . MY CONCLUSION IS THAT THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE ALL FOUR. FOR NOW MY SCION IS PARK, BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND. THE TYPES OF TIRES COME WITH MY SCION IS MICHELIN PRIMACY HP TIRES AND I CAN ATTEST THAT THEY ARE NOT SAFE TO USED ON A CAR. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES OF THE TIRES. *TR

THIS IS INTENDED TO REPORT A PROBLEM, NOT A ONE-TIME INCIDENT. THE SHIFT KNOB OF MY FR-S IS LOOSE ENOUGH TO ROTATE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON ONLINE FORUMS DEDICATED TO THIS VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO PARTIAL MISALLOCATION OF FORCE FROM THE OPERATOR'S INTENDED SHIFTING DIRECTION INTO UNWANTED ROTATION OF THE GEAR KNOB. MISSING A GEAR, OR DELAYING OR CONFUSING THE ACTION MECHANICALLY CAN BE A HAZARD. FOR EXAMPLE, IT CAN BE CRITICAL TO MAKE A FAST AND CORRECT GEAR SHIFT WHILE MERGING INTO A TRAFFIC STREAM OR WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AGAINST OPPOSING TRAFFIC. THE LOOSENESS OF THE SHIFT KNOB, WHICH IN THIS CASE CAN ROTATE 5-15 DEGREES DURING A SHIFT ADDS AN UNWANTED AND ENTIRELY UNNECESSARY VARIABLE DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. SCION/TOYOTA'S RESPONSE IS THAT THE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT IS "NORMAL". A POINT WITH WHICH I THINK NO SELF-RESPECTING AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER WOULD CONCUR. NOTE: PROPER SHIFTING TECHNIQUE DOES NOT REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT ROTATING FORCE TO BE APPLIED TO THE SHIFT KNOB. NEVERTHELESS IT IS INEVITABLE THAT SOME DIFFERENTIAL FORCE BE APPLIED TO ONE SIDE OF THE KNOB WHILE SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEAR PATTERN. THEREFORE THE KNOB SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO RESIST THOSE FORCES IN ORDER TO DIRECT THE THRUST IN THE DIRECTION INTENDED BY THE OPERATOR. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE FR-S SHIFT KNOB AND INTEGRATED CAP DISCOURAGES TIGHTENING OF THE SHIFT KNOB ON ITS THREADS AS THAT WILL CAUSE THE CAP TO LIFT OUT OF THE BODY OF THE SHIFT KNOB. *TR

THIS IS BASICALLY WHY I AM CONCERNED: I FOUND THAT IF YOU GO TO LOCK/UNLOCK YOUR CAR WITH A TOYOTA/SCION SMART KEY WHILE SOMEONE WITHIN RANGE OF YOUR CAR HOLDS THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THEIR TOYOTA/SCION SMART KEY, YOUR CAR WILL NOT RESPOND TO YOUR OWN KEY. THEIR SIGNAL BASICALLY JUST INTERFERES WITH YOUR SIGNAL CAUSING THE CAR TO DO NOTHING. IF YOU WALK AWAY W/O NOTICING, YOUR CAR WILL BE COMPLETELY DEFENSELESS. NO LOCK. NO ALARM. IN MY TEST, I HELD MY KEY BUTTON ABOUT 60 FEET AWAY FROM MY DADS CAR AND IT INTERFERED WITH HIS KEY CAUSING HIS CAR NOT TO LOCK. THIS ALSO WORKED VICE-VERSA. THIS MEANS THIEVES HAVE THE ABILITY TO STAKE OUT A PARKING LOT, FOR EXAMPLE, AND, JUST BY HOLDING A BUTTON ON THEIR KEY, WILL BE ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE CARS OF UNSUSPECTING CIVILIANS. THIS IS A FLAW THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TAKATA RECALL 2,000 MILES PAST WARRANTY, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND LOST POWER. NOT SURE IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS STOPPED OR IN TRANSIENT. IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HAD JUST STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE. TOYOTA CHANGED OUT THE COMPUTER FREE OF CHARGE BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTING. WHICH MEANS IT'S AN INTERNAL ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT COLLECTS CONDENSATION TOO. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT PRESENT CURRENTLY IN THE PHOTO. IT IS PRESENT AFTER EVERY WASH OR HEAVY RAIN. THE LEFT WINDOW SEAL ROLLING UP AND NOT SEALING PROPERLY. I KNOW THEIR ARE MANY MORE PEOPLE WITH THESE EXACT SAME ISSUES, AS I HAVE READ ONLINE BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR SUPPORT FROM TOYOTA TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES AT THIS MOMENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED AND IT WAS RUBBING ACROSS HIS NECK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS SIX FEET TALL AND THAT AFFECTED ANYONE SIX FEET OR TALLER VS. SOMEONE WHO WAS SHORTER THAN HIM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 215. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT MICHAEL'S TOYOTA OF BELLEVUE (3080 148TH AVE SE, BELLEVUE, WA 98007, (425) 455-9500), BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.