NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Scion FR-S Recalls & Complaints

The 2015 Scion FR-S has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 14 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Scion dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 Scion FR-S. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 Scion FR-S owner complaints

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Scion FR-S, describing incidents dated September 17, 2015 to June 14, 2025.

Most-cited components

Engine 5 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Steering 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint

Of the 14 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11667016 · Filed June 15, 2025
The valve spring for my 2015 FRS completely broke and this was a known issue and recalls for my car and it is available for inspection
ODI #11502375 · Filed January 18, 2023
Steering wheel began clunking and locking up when turning. Had this issue on a previous FRS, Electronic Power Steering Motor Coupler had failed and needed replacement.
ODI #11490358 · Filed October 21, 2022
Defective engine/motor failure spark plug popped out of engine along with coil. The service technician and service manager were shocked at the spark plug broken internally. I paid for spark plug replacement totaling approximately $1,200. Upon inspecting other parts of the motor it was determined the…

Read all 14 complaints

Incorrect Load Carrying Capacity Label/FMVSS 110

NHTSA #16V420000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported June 9, 2016 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Potentially affected: 4,253 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.52% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign SET-16C · Owners notified July 14, 2016 · Vehicles built May 6, 2014 – May 13, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Key may be Removed when not in Park/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #16V075000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 25,706 vehicles

Repair completion: 57.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign G0E · Owners notified March 7, 2016 · Vehicles built March 12, 2012 – January 14, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Accessories May Detach

NHTSA #14V828000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported December 30, 2014 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Potentially affected: 3,958 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.94% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign SET-14B · Owners notified February 23, 2015 · Vehicles built June 1, 2013 – December 17, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2015 Scion FR-S. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

14 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Scion FR-S.

Engine

ODI #11667016

Incident: June 14, 2025 · Filed: June 15, 2025

The valve spring for my 2015 FRS completely broke and this was a known issue and recalls for my car and it is available for inspection

Steering

ODI #11502375

Incident: April 1, 2020 · Filed: January 18, 2023

Steering wheel began clunking and locking up when turning. Had this issue on a previous FRS, Electronic Power Steering Motor Coupler had failed and needed replacement.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11490358

Incident: September 25, 2022 · Filed: October 21, 2022

Defective engine/motor failure spark plug popped out of engine along with coil. The service technician and service manager were shocked at the spark plug broken internally. I paid for spark plug replacement totaling approximately $1,200. Upon inspecting other parts of the motor it was determined the engine bay has coolant inside mixed with oil. The tech mention of engine over heating however the temperature gauge never reached overheating readings. If the engine overheated the temperature gauge failed to alert me while I was driving at any point and expressed this to the service advisor. My vehicle motor failed while I was engaged in driving on the freeway and turn off and on in the middle of flight and travelling at freeway speeds. I originally purchased vehicle at Long Toyota USA in El Monte, CA with zero to 15 miles brand new in 2015 it is less that 10 years and I never experienced a defective motor/engine. Today is October 21, 2022 and my vehicle is still at the Culver City Toyota dealership. When: September 25, 2022, towed vehicle to Culver City Toyota a dealer of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc Where: Engine/Motor failure occurred in the middle of the 10 freeway at Robertson/Venice exit in Los Angeles, CA. I immediately was able to steer the car to the nearest exit there was a loud pop and then a very loud motor noise was heard. I paid the tow company to take the vehicle to the culver city Toyota to get it fixed. How: While driving. Preferred solution Assistance in replacing engine at no cost due to defects and failures and placing my life at risk while the car was in motion. I am not looking for monetary claims or any gains. I just want my car back fixed I already paid for the spark plugs as i mentioned above but this is a defective motor. All my services have been done through Toyota's trained service technicians I asked all the time for spark plug replacement and they always said it isn't due.

Engine

ODI #11428249

Incident: July 28, 2021 · Filed: August 8, 2021

I was driving 80 mph in the inner lane of a multi lane highway. Out of no where with no warning lights or sounds the car just lost all power, the steering felt like it locked and the car fell on it's face. I was almost hit by two different cars trying to get over to the shoulder and there was white smoke pouring out of the exhaust making cars behind me swerve because they couldn't see. Had it towed to the Toyota dealership and they told me that basically the engine blew and that they have seen this on other Scion model years and those are recalled but mine isn't recalled

Engine

ODI #11205250

Incident: April 25, 2019 · Filed: May 2, 2019

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, IT STARTED MISFIRING, THROWING UP A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND IT WAS ROUGH TO KEEP IT RUNNING. UPON TOWING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVING IT INVESTIGATED FOR THE ROOT CAUSE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE SPRINGS ON A CYLINDER ARE FAILING. THIS ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO THE ISSUES THAT ARE OCCURRING IN SAFETY RECALL J02, WHICH AFFECTS 2013 MODELS.

Service Brakes

ODI #11203064

Incident: April 21, 2019 · Filed: April 23, 2019

THE PASSAGER REAR CALIPER MALFUNCTION CAUSE THE BRAKE PAD FLY AWAY FROM THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE

Power Train

ODI #11151574

Incident: March 5, 2018 · Filed: November 14, 2018

REVERSE LOCKOUT ON THE STICK SHIFT DOES NOT FUNCTION. DURING SHIFTING THE DRIVER CAN ACCIDENTLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WHILE MOVING FORWARD OR PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WHILE TRYING TO PUT IT INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME DURING THE SHIFTING PROCESS.

Power Train

ODI #11143977

Incident: October 18, 2018 · Filed: October 30, 2018

I 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 REFLASHES THE ECU ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESURFACE A WEEK LATER. THEY HAVE DONE AN OIL CHANGE AND IVE DONE A COOLANT FLUSH BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS HAVE SOLVED THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS BIGGER THAN JUST MAINTENANCE AND WILL MOST LIKELY REQUIRE A NEW TCM. ITS A SOFTWARE BUG, AND TOYTA DEALERSHIPS, AT LEAST WHERE I AM, REFUSE TO AWKNOWLEDGE IT.

Engine

ODI #11115259

Incident: July 30, 2018 · Filed: August 1, 2018

VEHICLE 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 VISIBILITY DUE TO THE TIME, I WAS NEARLY HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SEMI-TRUCK AND WAS STUCK, STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, I HAD ENOUGH TIME BEFORE BEING HIT AND ALSO HAVING THE RED LIGHT TURN ON ME IN MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSECTION AT LEE ROAD AND NORTH ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES, ENDED UP STARTING BUT HAD TO PUSH IT UP TO A GAS STATION ALONE AND ALMOST STRUCK BY ON COMING TRAFFIC DOING SO. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE ISSUE AND RECORDED AUDIO. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA WON'T EVEN LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.

Seat Belts

ODI #10938924

Incident: November 30, 2016 · Filed: December 31, 2016

THE SEAT BELT LATCH STICKS. DOESNT EASILY PRESS TO UNLATCH SEAT BELT. ON DRIVERS SIDE.

Other Scion FR-S model years

Check your 2015 Scion FR-S VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Scion FR-S at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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