Model year record

2015 Scion Fr-S recalls & problems

The 2015 Scion Fr-S has 3 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (5 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints14filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentJun 9, 2016

Other › Labels

Recall 16V4200004,253 vehicles

Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Electrical systemFeb 10, 2016

Ignition

Recall 16V07500025,706 vehicles

Problem: 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."
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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Electrical system › Ignition; Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch

EquipmentDec 30, 2014

Equipment

Recall 14V8280003,958 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

FR-S

28mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel

FR-S

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Engine	5	0	0	—
Steering	2	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	1	—
Service brakes	2	1	0	—
Power train	2	0	0	—
StructureBody	1	0	0	—
Suspension	1	0	0	—
Air bags	1	1	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	—
Electrical system	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
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
Jun 14, 2025
Steering
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.
Apr 1, 2020
Engine
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…
Sep 25, 2022
Engine
I was driving 80 mph in the inner lane of a multi lane highway. Out of no where with no warning lights or sounds the car just lost all power, the steering felt like it locked and the car fell on it's face. I was almost hit by two different cars trying to get over to the shoulder and there was white smoke pouring out of the exhaust making cars behind me swerve because they couldn't see. Had it towed to the Toyota dealership and they told me that basically the engine blew and that they have seen this on other Scion model years and those are recalled but mine isn't recalled
Jul 28, 2021
Engine
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, IT STARTED MISFIRING, THROWING UP A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND IT WAS ROUGH TO KEEP IT RUNNING. UPON TOWING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVING IT INVESTIGATED FOR THE ROOT CAUSE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE SPRINGS ON A CYLINDER ARE FAILING. THIS ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO THE ISSUES THAT ARE OCCURRING IN SAFETY RECALL J02, WHICH AFFECTS 2013 MODELS.
Apr 25, 2019 · 120,000 miles
Service brakes
THE PASSAGER REAR CALIPER MALFUNCTION CAUSE THE BRAKE PAD FLY AWAY FROM THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE
Apr 21, 2019 · 34,000 miles
Power train
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.
Mar 5, 2018 · 21,000 miles
Power train
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…
Oct 18, 2018 · 30,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.