Toyota 86/Scion FR-S Problems And Common Complaints

The Toyota 86 (or 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 that's easy to modify. Yet, like any other vehicle, it has 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.

2021+ 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.

2016-2020 Scion FR-S/Toyota 86 - Common Problems

Bad Fuel Pump: The Toyota 86 has a high pressure fuel pump. Many Toyota 86 owners have reported hearing a chirping noise coming from their fuel pump. In these cases, the fuel pump dies prematurely. Toyota never specified the root of this issue. The best way to deal with this issue is to replace your fuel pump ASAP.

Engine Control Unit (ECU) Not Programmed Correctly: Many Toyota 86 owners have noticed unstable engine revs in neutral. This is because the ECU wasn't programmed correctly. In this case, the ECU needs to be reprogrammed.

2013-2015 Scion FR-S - Common Problems

Disabled Interlock System: All Scion FR-S cars come equipped with a standard interlock system. It prevents the ignition key from being removed unless the transmission is in park. Scion disabled the system while transporting brand new FR-S cars. It was 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. Toyota 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 problem 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 can't change the angle for the variable valve timing. This results 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 NHTSA's website and search for the TSB by entering your VIN.