2016 Scion FR-S: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 33.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 33.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Engine: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2019: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11181394 · 2019-02-20 (February 20, 2019)
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOISE AT IDLE COULD BE INDICATIVE OF MALFUNCTION
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11181394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11182719 · 2019-02-27 (February 27, 2019)
THROW OUT BEARING FAILING AT 48,500 MILES. DEALER REFUSED TO COVER REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR WHICH THERE IS A DEALER TSB WITH A REVISED PART AND BETTER GREASE THAT DOES NOT DRY OUT. ISSUE IS REVEALED BY SQUEALING SOUND AT START UP, WHICH DEALER REPLICATED AND CONFIRMED ISSUE IS BAD THROW OUT BEARING. QUOTED ME $850 FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE NOT HAD A CLUTCH ISSUE IN 25 YEARS OF ONLY DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES PRIOR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11182719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11611888 · 2024-08-30 (August 30, 2024)
There was a recall on the power train system for the 2016 Scion frs models and mines just failed. I was never notified about this recall. Can the recall be reopened
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11611888 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V075000 · Electrical System:Ignition | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Reported: 2016-02-10 (February 10, 2016)
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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V236000 · Equipment:Other:Labels | Tires
Reported: 2016-04-22 (April 22, 2016)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. 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."
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V420000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2016-06-09 (June 9, 2016)
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."
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
3 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 14178.8%ODI 10474058 · 4,494 miMY NEW CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE PAST MONTH (4 TIMES). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THE CAR DOES NOT ALSO SEEM TO BE ABLE TO HOLD AN IDLE SPEED. WHEN MY FOOT HAS THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY DEPRESSED AND MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE IDLE JUST GOES FROM 500 TO 1000 AND BACK DOWN TO 500 AND THE CAR SHUDDERS AND ALMOST STALLS. THERE SEEMS TO BE OTHER SCION OWNERS OF THIS NEW CAR THAT ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE (THERE ARE INTERNET POST ON WEB FORUMS DATING BACK TO JUNE… | 480.0%ODI 11133373 · 60,181 miI WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND MY ENGINE KONKED OUT/DIED. FEELING UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO NEAREST MECHANIC. UPON HIS VISUAL INSPECTION AND BY STARTING IT UP HE HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING. THEN HE INFORMED ME THAT IT "POOPED A ROD BEARING" AND THAT I NEED A NEW MOTOR. HE MENTIONED A USED MOTOR GOES FOR $5000. I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR AT 60,181 MILES. THEREFORE I HAD IT TOWED TO TOYOTA DELEARSHIP IN TUSTIN CALIFORNIA. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC… | 535.7%ODI 11115259 · 43,000 miVEHICLE STARTED TO STUTTER AND HAVING A LOUD KNOCK FROM ENGINE AFTER SITTING FOR 6 HOURS ON A NORMAL NIGHT, NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MAINTENANCE KEPT UP INCLUDING RECENT OIL CHANGE... STARTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD LOUD PINGING AND KNOCKING BECAME LOUDER WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE ONCE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STUTTER. I HAD NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, NO OIL LIGHTS, NOTHING. MY VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO STALL OUT WHEN I HAD LARGE BIG RIG TRUCKS BEHIND ME WHILE AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AT NIGHT TIME WITH LOW VIS… | 133.3%ODI 11611888There was a recall on the power train system for the 2016 Scion frs models and mines just failed. I was never notified about this recall. Can the recall be reopened |
| Power Train | 2111.7%ODI 10474058 · 4,494 miMY NEW CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE PAST MONTH (4 TIMES). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THE CAR DOES NOT ALSO SEEM TO BE ABLE TO HOLD AN IDLE SPEED. WHEN MY FOOT HAS THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY DEPRESSED AND MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE IDLE JUST GOES FROM 500 TO 1000 AND BACK DOWN TO 500 AND THE CAR SHUDDERS AND ALMOST STALLS. THERE SEEMS TO BE OTHER SCION OWNERS OF THIS NEW CAR THAT ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE (THERE ARE INTERNET POST ON WEB FORUMS DATING BACK TO JUNE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 11143977 · 30,000 miI 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 REFLASH… | 133.3%ODI 11182719THROW OUT BEARING FAILING AT 48,500 MILES. DEALER REFUSED TO COVER REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR WHICH THERE IS A DEALER TSB WITH A REVISED PART AND BETTER GREASE THAT DOES NOT DRY OUT. ISSUE IS REVEALED BY SQUEALING SOUND AT START UP, WHICH DEALER REPLICATED AND CONFIRMED ISSUE IS BAD THROW OUT BEARING. QUOTED ME $850 FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE NOT HAD A CLUTCH ISSUE IN 25 YEARS OF ONLY DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES PRIOR. |
| Unknown Or Other | 84.5%ODI 11202565 · 108,361 miI TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL REPAIR REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE VALVE SPRINGS ON 1/8/19. THE CAR WAS READY FOR PICKUP TWO AND A HALF WEEKS LATER ON 1/25/19. AFTER EXACTLY TWO MONTHS, ON MARCH 8TH MY CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND WOBBLING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND I NOTICED MY CAR BEGAN SLOWING DOWN, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AS THE CAR SHUT OFF. AFTER I TRIED TURNING IT BACK ON, THE CAR WOULD TURN OFF AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS. I GOT THE CAR TOWED BACK HOME … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 10764743I AM WRITING TO FILE YET ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT AN UNSAFE NYPD CAR I SAW TODAY ON ROCKAWAY TNPK IN LAWRENCE, NY THERE OF THE 101 PCT OR THE 105 PCT. YES, HAVE ANY OF YOU SEEN THESE SMALL LITTLE CARS LIKE THE LAPD HAS? YES, THE LAPD HAS SMALL LITTLE VEHICLES LIKE THIS BUT THEY ARE USED TO JUST TRANSPORT PEOPLE. THE NYPD AGAIN HAS ANOTHER UNSAFE VEHICLE BEING THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE BUT IT IS USED FOR CHASES AND FOR LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU SHOULD SEE IT, IT IS LIKE A SMALL TWO DOOR VERY SMALL CAR WITH SCARY LOOKING SCARY ENOUGH LIGHTS LIKE TH… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 84.5%ODI 10474058 · 4,494 miMY NEW CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE PAST MONTH (4 TIMES). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THE CAR DOES NOT ALSO SEEM TO BE ABLE TO HOLD AN IDLE SPEED. WHEN MY FOOT HAS THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY DEPRESSED AND MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE IDLE JUST GOES FROM 500 TO 1000 AND BACK DOWN TO 500 AND THE CAR SHUDDERS AND ALMOST STALLS. THERE SEEMS TO BE OTHER SCION OWNERS OF THIS NEW CAR THAT ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE (THERE ARE INTERNET POST ON WEB FORUMS DATING BACK TO JUNE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11181394HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOISE AT IDLE COULD BE INDICATIVE OF MALFUNCTION |
| Steering | 73.9%ODI 10959890 · 50,000 miWHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AND EASILY TURNS LEFT, ALMOST ON ITS OWN. WHERE AS TURNING IT TO THE RIGHT IS TIGHT AND MORE DIFFICULT. THIS MAKES DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY ON WINDY DAYS. I'VE READ ABOUT IT HERE AND THERE ONLINE WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHATS HAPPENING AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE. ONE PERSON STATED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED ALIGNMENT. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 10764746CONTINUED...IT IS RIDICULOUS OF THIS [email removed] 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 removed]?????? WOW, I… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 52.8%ODI 11330056 · 169,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF REDLANDS (921 NEW YORK ST, REDLANDS, CA 92374, [phone removed]) TO BE REPAIRED. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 80 MILES THE ENGINE CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags | 31.7%ODI 11066117 · 33,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 SCION FR-S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DEFLATED WITH A FOUR INCH HOLE AFTER DEPLOYING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL AND CHEST INJURIES, A FRACTURED STERNUM, AND A LUMBAR SPINE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAIL… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 21.1%ODI 10513321 · 3,350 miAFTER LEAVING A RESIDENCE, GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY WITH NO ISSUES FOR ABOUT 1/4 MILE, SUDDENLY UPON GETTING ABOUT TO 50 MPH, I FELT A SHIMMY. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. BUT I WAS SMELLING A BURNING SMELL PRETTY QUICKLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM A POLLUTED SEMI TRUCK. BUT IT GOT STRONGER. SO, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE FIRST EXIT ANOTHER 1/4 MILE UP. I TURNED ON HAZARDS AND SLOWED TO 40 AND EXITED. UPON STOPPING I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND INSPECTED FIRST THE ENGINE, SEEING NO SMOKE AROUND IT. I THEN INSPECTED THE TIRES. ALL GOOD. SO I OPTED FOR A … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2015: 5 complaints · 2016: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Engine | Fuel/Propulsion System | Power Train |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | — | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 0 | — | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.