Research · Minicompact Cars

2016 Scion FR-SRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2016 Scion FR-S. Most complaints involve engine (1) and power train (1). The EPA rates it 24–28 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
24–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
3
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

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."

EquipmentReported Jun 9, 2016NHTSA 16V420000

Tires

Free remedy

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."

TiresReported Apr 22, 2016NHTSA 16V236000

Power train: park

Free remedy

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."

Power trainReported Feb 10, 2016NHTSA 16V075000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2019 – Aug 2024
  1. Engine1
  2. Power train1
  3. Fuel/propulsion system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each FR-S model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013180
20145
201514
20163
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

1 report
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2024EngineODI 11611888

Power train

1 report
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2019Power trainODI 11182719

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
“HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOISE AT IDLE COULD BE INDICATIVE OF MALFUNCTION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11181394
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
FR-S
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
243328$2,850321
FR-S
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300362
  • FR-S
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • FR-S
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Scion FR-S as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 FR-S questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Scion FR-S have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Scion FR-S problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (1), power train (1), fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Scion FR-S get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Scion FR-S at 24–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026