Is the 2013 Scion FR-S a bad year?
180 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 146.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2013 Scion FR-S were filed between 54k and 96k miles. You're at 76,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 FR-S owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 76,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 146 (81%) | 54k–96k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (12%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 76,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 180 complaints: 4 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 2 report an injury · 21 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
In 3/20/20 I took my 2013 Scion FR-S to get the recall that Toyota was offering. I had to do the safety recall because without it I could not get my registration renewed.
2013 Scion FR-S had a valve spring recall. While driving, as soon as I approached a stop sign the engine stalled.
412.8 miles after having J02 valve spring recall work performed, while driving, the vehicle began making a ticking noise.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 76,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Scion FR-S: 4
The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
The owner s manual contains an inaccurate description of the actual operation of the front passenger occupant classification system. Other portions of the owner s manual, describing the air bag system, require clarification. If a user reads and follows inaccurate owner s manual information, this could lead to an increased risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant under certain crash conditions.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Scion: 80
Repair instructions Scion sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Scion FR-S. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise, such as a squeak, grind or groan type noise when the clutch pedal is depressed
Some clarification of the timing chain removal and installation
An oil leak from the bottom of the oil pan
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
Every Scion FR-S year
2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · All FR-S years side by side
Other Scion models: Scion tC · Scion xB. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Scion FR-S a bad year?
180 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 146. At 76,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2013 Scion FR-S were filed between 54k and 96k miles. You're at 76,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Scion FR-S?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (146), transmission and drivetrain (21), fuel system (9), steering (7). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 54k–96k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Scion FR-S have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 18V-772), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-075), Equipment (NHTSA 13V-123), Equipment (NHTSA 12V-255). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.