The Scion FR-S spans 1995–2026 with 12 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2013, 2015, 2014 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1995, 1996, 1997. It delivers up to 28 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Scion FR-S a good car?
Short answer: yes, with the usual caveat about model years. Our score for the Scion FR-S is 4.0 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the engine — 151 of the 201 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 1995, 1996, 1997 score best in our data, and 2013, 2015 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Scion FR-S is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Scion FR-S VIN — every digit explained
Every Scion FR-S carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Scion and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this FR-S.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. See exactly what your VIN decodes to: model year, assembly plant, country of origin and the full 2001–2026 year-code table.
How many recalls does the Scion FR-S have?
The Scion FR-S has 12 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2016 Scion FR-S recalls 3
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
What's wrong. 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.
Tires
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2015 Scion FR-S recalls 3
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. 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.
Equipment
What's wrong. 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
What's wrong. 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.
2014 Scion FR-S recalls 2
Equipment
What's wrong. 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
What's wrong. 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.
2013 Scion FR-S recalls 4
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
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.
Risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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 owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
What's wrong. 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.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 SCION FR-S VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 22, 2012, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. THE OWNERS MANUAL CONTAINS AN INACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. OTHER PORTIONS OF THE OWNERS MANUAL, DESCRIBING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, REQUIRE CLARIFICATION. AS SUCH, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.
Risk. IF A USER READS AND FOLLOWS INACCURATE OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION, THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
Fix. TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WILL MAIL CORRECTED INSERTS FOR THE OWNERS MANUALS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-866-707-2466.
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. 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."
Risk. 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.
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. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Best and worst years for the Scion FR-S
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 32 tracked years, the worst years are 2013, 2015, 2014 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1995, 1996, 1997.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 FR-S | — | Best | |
| 1996 FR-S | — | Best | |
| 1997 FR-S | — | Best | |
| 1998 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 1999 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2000 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2001 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2002 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2003 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2004 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2005 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2006 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2007 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2008 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2009 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2010 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2011 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2012 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2013 FR-S | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2014 FR-S | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2015 FR-S | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2016 FR-S | Engine | Average | |
| 2017 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2018 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2019 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2020 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2021 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2022 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2023 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2024 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2025 FR-S | — | Average | |
| 2026 FR-S | — | Average |
What are the most common Scion FR-S problems?
The most-reported Scion FR-S problems are Tires (1 reports), Engine (151 reports) and Wheels (3 reports) — out of 201 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Scion FR-S specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Scion FR-S. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Scion FR-S window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Scion FR-S cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the FR-S holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 77 cu ft of passenger volume and 7 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Scion FR-S tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Scion FR-S get?
The Scion FR-S returns up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,650/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2016 Scion FR-S (2L 4-cyl) gets 28 mpg combined and costs about $2,750/yr to fuel, emitting 321 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 7/10, smog 5/10) — about $2,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 FR-S | 24 | 33 | $2,750 | 321 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2015 FR-S | 24 | 33 | $2,750 | 321 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2014 FR-S | 24 | 33 | $2,750 | 320 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2013 FR-S | 24 | 33 | $2,750 | 320 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the FR-S stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this FR-S's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Scion FR-S have? Power & range
The Scion FR-S is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Scion FR-S cost to own?
A Scion FR-S depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used FR-S is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this FR-S loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the FR-S ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Scion FR-S safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the FR-S yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Scion FR-S last?
A well-maintained Scion FR-S typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Scion FR-S’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this FR-S’s VIN free →All Scion FR-S model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Scion FR-S — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2025 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2024 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2023 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2022 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2021 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2020 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2019 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2018 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2017 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2016 FR-S | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2015 FR-S | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2014 FR-S | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2013 FR-S | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2012 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2011 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2010 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2009 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2008 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2007 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2006 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2005 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2004 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2003 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2002 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2001 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 2000 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 1999 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 1998 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 1997 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 1996 FR-S | 0 | — | |
| 1995 FR-S | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the FR-S?
By owner-complaint volume, 2013, 2015, 2014 drew the most reports. 1995, 1996, 1997 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the FR-S have?
12 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Scion recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the FR-S get?
Up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a FR-S last?
A well-maintained FR-S typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the FR-S reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the FR-S is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Scion FR-S warranty?
New Scion models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Scion dealer.
Where is the Scion FR-S made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your FR-S's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Scion may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the FR-S have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.