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U.S. public vehicle records

2015 Scion FR-S problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

32,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 14 complaints (35.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting214.3%
Braking behavior214.3%
Steering behavior214.3%
Engine operation17.1%

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.

Engine
5
Power Train
2
Service Brakes
2
Steering
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Air Bags
1
Electrical System
1
Seat Belts
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine5
Power Train2
Service Brakes2
Steering2
Unknown Or Other2
Air Bags1
Electrical System1
Seat Belts1

Engine: 5; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Seat Belts: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 8 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.

2015
2
2016
3
2018
3
2019
2
2021
1
2022
1
2023
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20152
20163
20183
20192
20211
20221
20231
20251

2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11143977 · 2018-10-30 (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 REFLASH…

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143977 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11151574 · 2018-11-14 (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.

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151574 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10861065 · 2016-04-23 (April 23, 2016)

BRAKE FAILURE ABS NOT FUNCTION

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10861065 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11203064 · 2019-04-23 (April 23, 2019)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11203064 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11428249 · 2021-08-08 (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 re…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428249 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11502375 · 2023-01-18 (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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502375 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11115259 · 2018-08-01 (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 VIS…

Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11115259 at NHTSA ↗