Toyota Scion FR S Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Toyota Scion FR S options? We analyzed 4 model years (2013–2016) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Toyota Scion FR S has 11 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2013–2016. The most reported issue area is VISIBILITY. 2014 drew the most complaints; 2013 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Scion FR S
- Model years analyzed
- 2013–2016 (4 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 11
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2014 (6 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2013 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- VISIBILITY
- Reliability signal
- Good
By model year
Toyota Scion FR S: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
GoodThe TOYOTA SCION FR S has 11 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 11 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2013–2016. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 11 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
11 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 (NA) TOYOTA SCION. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DASHBOARD WAS DAMAGED FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT SERVICE TOYOTA VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. AFTER THE AIR BAG FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATED TO THE AIR BAGS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A REALLY LOUD BOOM. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR. I CHECKED MY CAR AND I SAW THAT MY TOP FRONT GLASS PANEL ALL BROKEN. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND THE DAMAGE LOOKS EVEN ON BOTH END OF THE GLASS PANEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA SCION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAGE DISPLAYED AN EMPTY TANK AFTER REFUELING AND THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT FUEL WAS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 430...UPDATED 09-15-14 *BF.. UPDATED 10/06/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL REPORTING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO AN UN-BALANCED FUEL LEVEL CONDITION. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO OCCUR AT THE HIGHEST FREQUENCY WHEN ADDING SMALL AMOUNTS OF FUEL INTO A PARTIALLY FILLED FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE ADDED FUEL, AND THE NEEDLE DID NOT MOVE. UPDATED 11/18/14 UPDATED 1/20/2015 *JS
I HAVE A 2014, SCION XD, I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE RAIN GOING ABOUT 60-65 ON THE INTERSTATE. WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER. MY RADIO WENT OUT, A/C OFF. LIGHTS OFF, WIPERS STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE BLOCKING MY VIEW AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. ALL MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. NOT SURE HOW LONG POWER WAS OUT BUT IT DID COME BACK ON. LUCKILY THIS TIME IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE SAFELY WHEN THE POWER CAME BACK. I LET THE CAR SIT AND RESTARTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AIRBAG LIGHT AND TRAC OFF WERE STILL ON. BIG SAFETY CONCERN. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE COMPUTER DID NOT PICK UP ANYTHING. IT WAS JUST A GLITCH MEANING A PROBLEM THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT. WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THIS? I GOT THE CAR THE END OF MARCH NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS OLD. ONLY 1743 MILES. *TR
I PURCHASED MY CAR BACK IN OCTOBER BRAND NEW NO MILES. WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE DEALER SHIP I NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE TAIL LIGHTS. I CALLED THE DEALER SHIP THEY SAID THEY HAD TO SEE IT HAPPENING. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN TILL ABOUT JANUARY. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND TO HAVE THEM SEE THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THEY SAID IT WAS A ISSUE AND REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE TAIL LIGHT DUE TO IT BEING THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE AT THE TIME OF MY VISIT. A WEEK AFTER THEY REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALER SHIP EXPRESSED THE CONCERN FOR SAFETY FOR THIS ISSUE AND REPLACED THEM AGAIN. WHILE IN THERE FOR THIS VISIT THE OWNER OF THE DEALER SHIP CAME UP TO ME AND SAID ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND THAT THEY WOULD TRY THEIR BEST TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THAT SAME NIGHT AFTER HAVING THEM REPLACED THE MOISTURE WAS BACK IN THE TAIL LIGHTS. I RETURNED THE DEALER SHIP AND SHOWED THEM IT HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY REFUSED TO REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD CONTACT ME. I NEVER RECEIVED A PHONE CALL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP A WEEK LATER AND NOW THEY ARE STATING THAT IT IS NORMAL TO GET MOISTURE AND ICE IN MY TAIL LIGHT. I FILED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA/SCION AND I WAS TOLD ITS NORMAL. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER TO WHY IT IS OR TELL ME IF THERE WAS A FIX FOR THE ISSUE. WHEN I BROUGHT UP MY CONCERN FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS POSSIBLY SHORTING OUT THEY SAID IF IT DOES TO CONTACT THEM. I ALSO ASKED WHAT IF THEY DO SHORT OUT AND I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. THEY TOLD ME ITS MY JOB TO MAKE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AND THAT ITS NOT THERE PROBLEM, HAVING MOISTURE IN A SEALED TAIL LIGHT WITH NO REPLICABLE BULBS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF MOISTURE GETS IN THE WIRING OR LIGHTS AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS SHORT OUT. THEY CAN NOT GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER AND THEY ARE REFRAINING FROM ANSWERING MY CONCERNS AFTER THE DEALER SAID THIS NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS IT BECOMES A CASE FOR THE LEMON LAW. *TR
2014 SCION TC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CD PLAYER AND SYSTEM MAP PROBLEMS. *SMD COMPLAINT IS WRITTEN IN SPANISH.
Read 5 more owner reports
SUBMISSION BY TOYOTA RE: VIN CODING SYSTEM FOR 2014 MY TOYOTA SCION XB, 2014 MY TOYOTA PRIUS V AND 2014 MY LEXUS CT 200H. *SMD
2013 TOYOTA SCION. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RPM INCREASE AND LACK OF POWER WITH VEHICLE AND ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE CLUTCH DISC HAD FAILED DUE TO ABUSE. THE DEALER REPLACED IT AS A COURTESY. A YEAR LATER, THE CLUTCH DISC FAILED AGAIN. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SCION EQUIPPED WITH TOYO N3J7 (NA) TIRES, SIZE P225/45R/18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED BY A NAIL. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE FLATTENED AND SEPARATED IN THREE PIECES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NAIL PUNCTURE CAUSED THE TIRE DAMAGE, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS CUT THE TIRE INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL ONES PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,640.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SCION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED AND THE GLASS FELL INTO SUNROOF VISOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,398 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,170.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA SCION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 50 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RIM WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
Showing 11 of 11 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Toyota Scion FR S
These pages show model-year patterns across 4 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Toyota Scion FR S, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota Scion FR S has 11 complaints on record across 4 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Toyota Scion FR S has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the Toyota Scion FR S's 11 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Toyota Scion FR S vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Toyota Scion FR S vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Toyota Scion FR S has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Toyota Scion FR S.
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Toyota Scion FR S reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Scion FR S reliable?
Good. The Toyota Scion FR S has 11 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is VISIBILITY. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Toyota Scion FR S years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2014 (6 complaints), 2013 (4 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Toyota Scion FR S problems?
Top reported issues: VISIBILITY (2 complaints); POWER TRAIN (2 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints).
Does the Toyota Scion FR S have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Toyota Scion FR S. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.