RoadVitals

2014 Scion Fr-S

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Jul 2, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 10, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Scion Fr-S, most frequently naming the engine and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 107 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine480.0%
  • Seat belts120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V075000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

Feb 10, 2016
25,706 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles manufactured March 13, 2012, to January 14, 2016 and equipped an automatic transmission and ignition key. Vehicles with a push-to-start button are not affected. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible to remove the ignition key without the transmission being in the "Park" position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
The risk: 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.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition key/transmission interlock wiring connections, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0E.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number G0EView on NHTSA.gov
14V828000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 30, 2014
3,958 units potentially affected
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
The remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLCManufacturer number SET-14BView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2022

Timing chain cover oil leak Oil pan cover oil leak Has been a persistent leak since I purchased the car in 2014. I’ve learned it’s an extremely common issue which the dealership won’t warranty. It’s been a documented leak since 2015 and over $2500 to fix. Several members on forums/Facebook claim the exact same leak in same location. It’s due to poor quality sealant used by manufacturer instead of a gasket. New sealant sold by dealership because original sealant is faulty.

NHTSA ID
11472164
Incident
Jul 8, 2015
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2021

MY TOYOTA SCION FR-S 2014 SUDDENLY STOPPED AND LOST ITS POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALONG A CITY STREET IN FAIRFIELD CA . THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER SINCE PURCHASE . IT ONLY HAD 33,000 MILES AND I WAS VERY SURPRISE WHAT WENT WRONG . MY SON ROLLED THE VEHICLE TO A SIDE STREET . WE CALLED OUR INSURANCE FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN FAIRFIELD CA. THEY WENT ON TO DIAGNOSE AND FOUND THE CAR TO BE OF PEARL CONDITION , WITH PERFECT OIL LEVEL AND QUALITY . THEY SAID IT WAS MOTOR MALFUNCTION . THE VALVE SPRINGS WERE OUT OF PLACE AND CREATED A STRANGE NOISE . THEY RECOMMENDED MOTOR REPLACEMENT WHICH WOULD COST ME $11K FOR A USED ENGINE WITH 51K MILES . I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON INCIDENT WITH TOYOTA FRS 2012 TO 2014 MODELS . THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT WAS HALTED BECAUSE AFTER THE RECALL , MOST RECALLED TOYOTA FRS STILL GET STALLED DUE TO THE SEALANTS USED . WE HAVE SEVERAL (ALL TOYOTA ) CARS AND THIS CAR IN PARTICULAR IS JUST USED 40 MILES A MONTH . OUR RESTAURANT IS JUST A MILE AWAY FROM WHERE WE LIVE . THAT IS WHY THERE IS NO WAY WE HAD NOT TAKEN CARE OF THIS CAR . I CHECKED THE RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL AND MAKE , AND THERE IS NONE ! IT HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 15 ON A CITY SIDE STREET , JUST HEADING STRAIGHT AHEAD .

NHTSA ID
11413745
Incident
Apr 17, 2021
Mileage
33,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 27, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY AS THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,085. ## VIN PASSED ## TOYOTA 2014 ##

NHTSA ID
11376533
Incident
Nov 17, 2020
Mileage
155,085 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2020

I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK (20KM) AND RAMPING DOWN THE HWY EXIT TO THE STOP SIGN, I HEARD A RAPID CLAPPING NOISE UNTIL THE CAR STOPPED TO NEVER START AGAIN. MY LOCAL CAR REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT IT NEEDS A NEW MOTOR. THE CAR ODO IS 90,000KM AND 6YEARS OLD. TOYOTA CANADA BASICALLY SAID THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'M IN MY FIFTIES AND THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASE THE CAR JUST TO DRIVE TO WORK AND LOOKING GOOD DOING IT. NOW I CAN'T EVEN FIND A DECENT USED MOTOR.... THE CAR IS SPOTLESS IN A-1 CONDITION. I'M FURIOUS RIGHT NOW. I FILLED THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. I'M A CANADIAN CITIZEN AND CAN'T FILL A US COMPLAINT THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11339194
Incident
Jun 16, 2020
Mileage
59,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 4, 2018

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND MY ENGINE KONKED OUT/DIED. FEELING UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO NEAREST MECHANIC. UPON HIS VISUAL INSPECTION AND BY STARTING IT UP HE HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING. THEN HE INFORMED ME THAT IT "POOPED A ROD BEARING" AND THAT I NEED A NEW MOTOR. HE MENTIONED A USED MOTOR GOES FOR $5000. I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR AT 60,181 MILES. THEREFORE I HAD IT TOWED TO TOYOTA DELEARSHIP IN TUSTIN CALIFORNIA. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC AND DRAINING OIL FROM VEHICLE..THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS METAL PIECES IN THE OIL AND THAT THE MOTOR WAS DEFINITELY OIL STARVED. HE QUOTED A NEW ENGINE INSTALLATION WOULD BE $12,000. I CURRENTLY OWE $16,000 ON MY 2014 SCION FRS. I COULDN'T AFFORD IT SO I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO SEE IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BEING THAT THIS DOESN'T NORMALLY HAPPEN AT 60,000 MILES UNDER NORMAL DRVING CONDITIONS AND MAINTENANCE. TOYOTA DIDN'T HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS JUST OVER 181 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11133373
Incident
Aug 21, 2018
Mileage
60,181 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

S-TT-0117-20

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:ENGINE COOLANT HOSES AND FITTINGS

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

S-S-0003-14_Obso

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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

S-TT-0113-18

EQUIPMENT; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

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.

S-TT-0113-18

EQUIPMENT; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

S-SB-0041-13

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

The rear combination lights on some 2013 ? 2014 model year FR-S vehicles may exhibit cracking from the upper surface of the lens. This can result from the trunk lid contacting the rear combination light housing if excessive force is applied to the trunk lid when closing. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.

S-SB-0012-17

POWER TRAIN

TSB: Some 2013 ? 2016 model year FR-S vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit an abnormal noise, such as a squeak, grind or groan type noise when the clutch pedal is depressed. APPLICABLE WARRANTY: This repair is covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date. Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in this bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Scion Fr-S by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016330—
2015143049.9
2014Viewing520—
20131794051.9

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.