2013 Scion Fr-s: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Scion Fr-s: 4 recalls, 179 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #12V255000 · 2012 · 1,156 vehicles
What's wrong: The ownerâs manual contains an inaccurate description of the actual operation of the front passenger occupant classification system. Other portions of the ownerâs manual, describing the air bag system, require clarification. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) no. 208, âoccupant crash protection.â
Why it matters: If a user reads and follows inaccurate ownerâs manual information, this could lead to an increased risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant under certain crash conditions.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and will mail corrected inserts for the ownerâs manuals, free of charge. The safety recall began on July 3, 2012.
Equipment Vehicle recall #13V123000 · 2013 · 7,525 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: 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 fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013.
Electrical, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #16V075000 · 2016 · 25,706 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #18V772000 · 2018 · 165,534 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru impreza, 2012-2013 impreza stationwagon, 2013 Subaru brz, xv crosstrek and Toyota Scion fr-s vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles May fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Why it matters: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the fr-s owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (141): the most common themes are noise or vibration (82), stalls / loses power (70), warning light on (33).
- Transmission & drivetrain (21): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9), stalls / loses power (5), hard / delayed shifting (4).
- Fuel & propulsion (8): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), noise or vibration (3), warning light on (2).
- Other / unknown (8): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4), stalls / loses power (2).
The 2013 Scion Fr-s has 179 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 4 Fr-s model years for complaints (3.6× the average Fr-s year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (80 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 68,550 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (5 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 28 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Scion Fr-s.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Scion Fr-s have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Scion Fr-s. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Scion Fr-s problems?
Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (141), transmission & drivetrain (21), fuel & propulsion (8).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Scion Fr-s get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Scion Fr-s repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.