2015 Scion Fr-S Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 Scion Fr-S, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine531.3%
- Powertrain (other)212.5%
- Brakes212.5%
- Steering212.5%
- Airbags16.3%
- Suspension16.3%
- Body & structure16.3%
- Electrical16.3%
- Seat belts16.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The valve spring for my 2015 FRS completely broke and this was a known issue and recalls for my car and it is available for inspection
Defective engine/motor failure spark plug popped out of engine along with coil. The service technician and service manager were shocked at the spark plug broken internally. I paid for spark plug replacement totaling approximately $1,200. Upon inspecting other parts of the motor it was determined the engine bay has coolant inside mixed with oil. The tech mention of engine over heating however the temperature gauge never reached overheating readings. If the engine overheated the temperature gauge failed to alert me while I was driving at any point and expressed this to the service advisor. My vehicle motor failed while I was engaged in driving on the freeway and turn off and on in the middle of flight and travelling at freeway speeds. I originally purchased vehicle at Long Toyota USA in El Monte, CA with zero to 15 miles brand new in 2015 it is less that 10 years and I never experienced a defective motor/engine. Today is October 21, 2022 and my vehicle is still at the Culver City Toyota dealership. When: September 25, 2022, towed vehicle to Culver City Toyota a dealer of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc Where: Engine/Motor failure occurred in the middle of the 10 freeway at Robertson/Venice exit in Los Angeles, CA. I immediately was able to steer the car to the nearest exit there was a loud pop and then a very loud motor noise was heard. I paid the tow company to take the vehicle to the culver city Toyota to get it fixed. How: While driving. Preferred solution Assistance in replacing engine at no cost due to defects and failures and placing my life at risk while the car was in motion. I am not looking for monetary claims or any gains. I just want my car back fixed I already paid for the spark plugs as i mentioned above but this is a defective motor. All my services have been done through Toyota's trained service technicians I asked all the time for spark plug replacement and they always said it isn't due.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REVERSE LOCKOUT ON THE STICK SHIFT DOES NOT FUNCTION. DURING SHIFTING THE DRIVER CAN ACCIDENTLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WHILE MOVING FORWARD OR PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WHILE TRYING TO PUT IT INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME DURING THE SHIFTING PROCESS.
I OWN A 2015 AUTOMATIC SCION FR-S. THE CAR HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND DOWNSHIFTS ARE VERY JERKY AND HARD. UPSHIFTS ARE FINE, BUT IN BOTH MANUAL MODE (PADDLE SHIFTS) AND IN AUTOMATIC MODE, COMING TO A STOP AND DOWNSHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS RESULTS IN HARD, JERKY VIOLENT MOVEMENTS AND THE CAR FAILS TO REV MATCH. I'VE LOOKED THE ISSUE UP AND MANY PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS MOST LIKELY A SOFTWARE ISSUE, EITHER WITH THE ECU BUT MOST LIKELY WITH THE TCM, THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. MY DEALERSHIP DENIES THE PROBLEM AND REFLASHES THE ECU ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESURFACE A WEEK LATER. THEY HAVE DONE AN OIL CHANGE AND IVE DONE A COOLANT FLUSH BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS HAVE SOLVED THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS BIGGER THAN JUST MAINTENANCE AND WILL MOST LIKELY REQUIRE A NEW TCM. ITS A SOFTWARE BUG, AND TOYTA DEALERSHIPS, AT LEAST WHERE I AM, REFUSE TO AWKNOWLEDGE IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSAGER REAR CALIPER MALFUNCTION CAUSE THE BRAKE PAD FLY AWAY FROM THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE
BRAKE FAILURE ABS NOT FUNCTION
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Steering wheel began clunking and locking up when turning. Had this issue on a previous FRS, Electronic Power Steering Motor Coupler had failed and needed replacement.
CONTINUED...IT IS RIDICULOUS OF THIS [email protected] TO IGNORE COMPLAINTS OF SUCH UNSAFE CARS AS THIS SMALL LITTLE CAR THAT THEY USE THAT I SAW TODAY WITH THE NYPD 101 OR NYPD 105 THERE THAT HAS REGULAR LIGHTS ON THE TOP OF THE CAR AND CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE WORK ALMOST AS STUPID AS THE NYPD HWY UNIT CAR THERE WITH NO LIGHTS ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE THERE THAT COULD BE USED FOR CHASES ALSO. I MEAN HOW MANY TIMES IS THE NYPD GOING TO BE QUESTIONED OR REPORTED FOR HAVING UNSAFE VEHICLES PLUS THEY IGNORE ME AT [email protected]?????? WOW, I KNOW THE LAPD USES THAT TYPE OF SMALL CAR THERE FOR LIKE BRINGING PEOPLE AROUND BUT THE NYPD AS I SAW WITH THE CAR TODAY WITH THE NYPD 101 OR NYPD 105 THERE ON ROCKAWAY TNPK THERE CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE USE THERE. WOW. A CAR THAT SMALL CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE BUSINESS??? THAT IS JUST AS BAD AS THE NYPD HWY UNIT CARS WITH NO LAMPS ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLES USED FOR REGULAR CHASES ON HIGHWAYS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE FAILURE ABS NOT FUNCTION
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONTINUED...IT IS RIDICULOUS OF THIS [email protected] TO IGNORE COMPLAINTS OF SUCH UNSAFE CARS AS THIS SMALL LITTLE CAR THAT THEY USE THAT I SAW TODAY WITH THE NYPD 101 OR NYPD 105 THERE THAT HAS REGULAR LIGHTS ON THE TOP OF THE CAR AND CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE WORK ALMOST AS STUPID AS THE NYPD HWY UNIT CAR THERE WITH NO LIGHTS ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE THERE THAT COULD BE USED FOR CHASES ALSO. I MEAN HOW MANY TIMES IS THE NYPD GOING TO BE QUESTIONED OR REPORTED FOR HAVING UNSAFE VEHICLES PLUS THEY IGNORE ME AT [email protected]?????? WOW, I KNOW THE LAPD USES THAT TYPE OF SMALL CAR THERE FOR LIKE BRINGING PEOPLE AROUND BUT THE NYPD AS I SAW WITH THE CAR TODAY WITH THE NYPD 101 OR NYPD 105 THERE ON ROCKAWAY TNPK THERE CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE USE THERE. WOW. A CAR THAT SMALL CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE BUSINESS??? THAT IS JUST AS BAD AS THE NYPD HWY UNIT CARS WITH NO LAMPS ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLES USED FOR REGULAR CHASES ON HIGHWAYS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONTINUED...IT IS RIDICULOUS OF THIS [email protected] TO IGNORE COMPLAINTS OF SUCH UNSAFE CARS AS THIS SMALL LITTLE CAR THAT THEY USE THAT I SAW TODAY WITH THE NYPD 101 OR NYPD 105 THERE THAT HAS REGULAR LIGHTS ON THE TOP OF THE CAR AND CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE WORK ALMOST AS STUPID AS THE NYPD HWY UNIT CAR THERE WITH NO LIGHTS ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE THERE THAT COULD BE USED FOR CHASES ALSO. I MEAN HOW MANY TIMES IS THE NYPD GOING TO BE QUESTIONED OR REPORTED FOR HAVING UNSAFE VEHICLES PLUS THEY IGNORE ME AT [email protected]?????? WOW, I KNOW THE LAPD USES THAT TYPE OF SMALL CAR THERE FOR LIKE BRINGING PEOPLE AROUND BUT THE NYPD AS I SAW WITH THE CAR TODAY WITH THE NYPD 101 OR NYPD 105 THERE ON ROCKAWAY TNPK THERE CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE USE THERE. WOW. A CAR THAT SMALL CAN BE USED FOR REGULAR POLICE BUSINESS??? THAT IS JUST AS BAD AS THE NYPD HWY UNIT CARS WITH NO LAMPS ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLES USED FOR REGULAR CHASES ON HIGHWAYS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Defective engine/motor failure spark plug popped out of engine along with coil. The service technician and service manager were shocked at the spark plug broken internally. I paid for spark plug replacement totaling approximately $1,200. Upon inspecting other parts of the motor it was determined the engine bay has coolant inside mixed with oil. The tech mention of engine over heating however the temperature gauge never reached overheating readings. If the engine overheated the temperature gauge failed to alert me while I was driving at any point and expressed this to the service advisor. My vehicle motor failed while I was engaged in driving on the freeway and turn off and on in the middle of flight and travelling at freeway speeds. I originally purchased vehicle at Long Toyota USA in El Monte, CA with zero to 15 miles brand new in 2015 it is less that 10 years and I never experienced a defective motor/engine. Today is October 21, 2022 and my vehicle is still at the Culver City Toyota dealership. When: September 25, 2022, towed vehicle to Culver City Toyota a dealer of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc Where: Engine/Motor failure occurred in the middle of the 10 freeway at Robertson/Venice exit in Los Angeles, CA. I immediately was able to steer the car to the nearest exit there was a loud pop and then a very loud motor noise was heard. I paid the tow company to take the vehicle to the culver city Toyota to get it fixed. How: While driving. Preferred solution Assistance in replacing engine at no cost due to defects and failures and placing my life at risk while the car was in motion. I am not looking for monetary claims or any gains. I just want my car back fixed I already paid for the spark plugs as i mentioned above but this is a defective motor. All my services have been done through Toyota's trained service technicians I asked all the time for spark plug replacement and they always said it isn't due.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEAT BELT LATCH STICKS. DOESNT EASILY PRESS TO UNLATCH SEAT BELT. ON DRIVERS SIDE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .