2016 Scion Fr-s problems

General information about Scion-Fr-s
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ are 2+2 sports cars jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, manufactured at Subaru's Gunma assembly plant.

The 2+2 fastback coupé has a naturally-aspirated boxer engine, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive configuration, 53/47 front/rear weight balance and low centre of gravity; it was inspired by Toyota's earlier AE86, a small, light, front-engine/rear-drive Corolla variant widely popular for Showroom Stock, Group A, Group N, Rally, Club and drift racing.

For the first-generation model, Toyota marketed the sports car as the 86 in Asia, Australia, North America (from August 2016), South Africa, and South America; as the Toyota GT86 in Europe; as the 86 and GT86 in New Zealand; as the Toyota FT86 in Brunei, Nicaragua and Jamaica and as the Scion FR-S (2012–2016) in the United States and Canada.

The second-generation model is marketed by Toyota as the GR86 as part of the Gazoo Racing family.

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Common 2016 Scion Fr-s problems

The Scion FR-S, a sports car introduced in 2012, shares its platform with the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86. While generally reliable, there are some common issues that owners have reported, particularly in the 2016 model year.

Engine Control Unit (ECU) Not Programmed Correctly: Some 2016 Scion FR-S owners have noticed unstable engine revs in neutral, which can be caused by an improperly programmed ECU. In this case, the ECU needs to be reprogrammed to correct the issue.

Cracked Oil Drain Plug: The oil drain plug on the 2016 Scion FR-S is prone to cracking from over-torquing. If you find an oil leak that seems to come from the bottom of the oil pan, the problem is most likely a cracked drain plug. Replacing the drain plug should resolve the issue.

Clutch Release Bearing Failure: The clutch release bearing in the 2016 Scion FR-S can fail prematurely, especially in cold weather. Symptoms include gears grinding when the clutch is depressed, the clutch sitting a little too high, and hard shifting. Not replacing the clutch release bearing in a timely manner can lead to transmission housing, pressure plate, and/or shaft damage.

Engine Control Unit (ECU) Not Programmed Correctly: In some 2016 Scion FR-S cars, the camshaft position sensor may not change the angle for the variable valve timing, resulting in rough idling, engine misfire, and/or an extended cranking. Toyota issued a TSB about this issue in February 2014, and if you're experiencing this issue, your ECU needs to be reprogrammed.

Bad Valve Springs: Some FR-S models, including the 2016 model, were equipped with defective valve springs from the factory. Although Scion issued a recall for this problem, not every owner brought their car in for repair. The only solution is to have updated parts installed. Misfiring and a severe loss of power when accelerating can indicate bad valve springs. It's essential to check the maintenance records of an FR-S to determine if new springs were installed at some point.

Heavily Modified Models: While the Scion FR-S is designed to withstand the rigors of the track, heavily modified models can suffer from accelerated wear due to performance upgrades and lowered suspensions. It's crucial to be cautious when buying a heavily modified FR-S, as it may have compromised long-term dependability and everyday drivability.

These common issues do not necessarily mean that the 2016 Scion FR-S is an unreliable car, but rather that potential buyers should be aware of these potential problems and consider them when making a purchasing decision. Regular maintenance and inspections by experienced mechanics can help identify and address these issues before they become significant problems.

2016 Scion Fr-s car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Scion Fr-s problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Engine problems
Power train problems
Fuel/propulsion system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Scion Fr-s vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2016 Scion Fr-s complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Scion Fr-s.

2024-08-30

ENGINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-08-28
VIN: JF1ZNAA18G8
Components: ENGINE
Summary: 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

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2019-02-27

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2019-02-13
VIN: JF1ZNAA14G9
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: 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.

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2019-02-20

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2019-02-01
VIN: JF1ZNAA17G8
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Summary: HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOISE AT IDLE COULD BE INDICATIVE OF MALFUNCTION

Add Complaint

2016 Scion Fr-s recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2016 Scion Fr-s.

2016-06-09

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Summary: 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.

2016-04-22

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Components: TIRES
Summary: 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.

2016-02-10

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
Summary: 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.