Toyota 86/Scion FR-S Problems And Common Complaints

The Toyota 86 (or the Scion FR-S before August 2016) is a sleek and sexy sports car that turns heads on the street. It’s a solid and reliable car, but like any other vehicle, it comes with a few common issues. Read on to find out what they are.

Note: The list of problems below is organized by year and model. Scroll down to find your year model.

2016+ Scion FR-S/Toyota 86 – Common Problems

Good news: there's nothing to report so far! Be sure to check back once in a while because we update the information on this page regularly.

2013-2015 Scion FR-S – Common Problems

Disabled Interlock System: All Scion FR-S cars come equipped with a standard interlock system that prevents the ignition key from being removed unless the transmission is in park. Scion disabled the system while transporting brand new FR-S cars to avoid damaging the transmission. Some FR-S cars were delivered to dealerships without ever having had their systems reconnected. In early 2016, Toyota issued a recall on all FR-S cars and had its dealerships correct each affected car’s system free of charge.

Cracked Oil Drain Plug: The oil drain plug that comes with this car is prone to cracks from over-torquing. If you find an oil leak that seems to come from the bottom of the oil pan, the culprit is most likely a cracked drain plug. Getting it replaced would do the trick.

Clutch Release Bearing Failure: Many 2013 FR-S owners are all too familiar with this problem, 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 your clutch release bearing (Part No. SU003-00802) right away can lead to transmission housing, pressure plate, and/or shaft damage.

Engine Control Unit (ECU) Not Programmed Correctly: In some 2013 FR-S cars, the camshaft position sensor isn’t able to 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 in February 2014. If you’re experiencing this issue, your ECU needs to be reprogrammed.

If you’re experiencing another issue with your 86 or FR-S that isn’t listed here, feel free to email us or give us a call. Our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to help you find the replacement parts you need!

Toyota 86/Scion FR-S TSBs - 2017 to 2018

To find these TSBs, you can try Googling the TSB ID #, the name of the TSB, or some combination. You can also go to https://www.safercar.gov and search for the TSB by entering your VIN.