2013 Scion FR-S: engine failure

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Engine · AR

On approximately May 27, 2026 I delivered my 2013 Scion FR-S (approx. 105,000 miles) to an authorized Toyota dealer for Safety Recall J02 (the federal safety agency 18V‑772, engine valve spring replacement). I picked it up on June 3, 2026. Immediately the engine ran sluggish and the air conditioning, which had worked, stopped blowing cold. On June 7, 2026 - four days and only a few miles later - the engine spun a rod bearing and began knocking loudly. The vehicle is now inoperable. This recall requires removing and disassembling the engine and is widely documented to cause oil starvation and spun bearings when excess RTV sealant from reassembly clogs the oil pickup screen. My engine ran normally for years and failed within days of the recall repair. The recall repair caused catastrophic engine failure. No crash or injury has occurred; the vehicle is parked to prevent further damage.

Filed May 30, 2023 · Engine · NC

The engine suffered catastrophic failure 2,988 miles after the J02 Saftey recall was performed by Preston Toyota of New Castle, PA. I was travelling at highway speeds when the engine died and would not turn on. I lost all power brakes and could have wrecked and injured myself, others or worse, caused a fatality. The car was towed to a toyota dealership that confirmed the issue was due to the work performed during the recall on the car. The oil light flashed a few times then shut off and then a few seconds later the engine died.

Filed May 21, 2023 · Engine · OR

Vehicle suffered engine failure in line with previous recalled, and subsequently repaired parts. Both Toyota & Subaru have refused to repair. Vehicle is under 100,000 miles.

Filed Jan 18, 2023 · Engine · NJ

Engine failure. My safety is compromised by car leaving me stranded at an unpreditable time. Serviced center fixed vehicle twice unsuccecfully because different engine brand but joint partnership. No warning lamps were present before or after failure of engine.

Filed May 15, 2022 · Engine · CA

Was going down the road. To a fast food place. As soon as I turned. A pop happens and the whole car started to shake. All the maintenance was done every 6k miles. Got the car at 32k miles Went to Toyota. And they called and said it was engine failure “mechanical failure” then they called back and said there was no coolant. In my eyes I feel it’s to cover their end to not do a recall.

Filed Apr 18, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · CA

2013 SCION FR-S Valve spring recall notice was received in the mail. Recalled valve spring replacement caused engine to seize twice. The first time the engine seized Tustin Toyota admitted fault, noting issue was from recall fix and repaired the engine at no cost. The second time the engine seized Toyota denied responsibility and wanted to charge $5000

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · NE

After completing the valve spring recall I got my car back and not 200 miles later the engine started to have rod knock. The Toyota dealership told me that there was now metal in my oil pan and I would need a new engine. This is not a unique issue, it has been happening to hundreds of other cars going through this exact recall, for years now.

Filed Aug 1, 2021 · Engine · CA

Toyota of El Cajon performed the J02 recall for engine valve springs on August 13, 2020 at 98, 448 mileage. Toyota of El Cajon performed service oil/filter change, coolant change, and multipoint inspection June 2021 (work order 356309). The engine of my 2013 Scion FR-S malfunctioned with a rod knock on July 13, 2021 at 105k mileage, eleven months after J02 recall performed. There were no warnings lamps, oil lights, or any messages prior to failure. The only symptom was the engine rod knock when the car starts. Toyota of El Cajon technician and shop floorman do not know the cause, yet they attempt to deny that this issue relates to the J02 recall. They said it would cost a "couple thousand" to take apart the engine to investigate the cause. They said it would be $9k out of my pocket to replace the short block and would be "terribly expensive". I towed my unfixed vehicle home through my insurance. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance or others. I am contacting Toyota Corporate to create claim #. Engine failure after J02 recall is a well-known issue. There are several other cases of this happening and a Class Action lawsuit due to workmanship error and sealant. This issue should be fixed by the dealership/manufacturer without cost to consumer. The safety, reliability and reputation of the vehicle depends on it. Do the right thing!

Filed Jul 28, 2021 · Engine · TN

I was driving down the road and felt the car lose power. Shortly, after the traction control and check engine light came on. I pulled over and a I slowed the engine died on me. It took several tries and it finally started and I made it home going about 45. The next day I went to town and as I pulled into a parking lot the engine completely died again. I went to the parts store right next door and the code read can shaft sensor fault. I then slowly drove to a family members house and where we replaced those sensors. This didn't fix anything. I then took it too my mechanic who proceeded to tell me I needed a new engine. There were multiple codes showing with his code reader. I only remember low oil pressure but the oil was full. Tried to drive it back to family members (less than 2 miles)but it didn't make it and I had to have it towed home.i had the valve spring recall repaired in the summer of 2020. My car has 103,000 miles and has had every oil change and had a tune up when I took it to the dealership for the recall.

Filed Jun 9, 2021 · Engine · 82,900 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2013 Scion FR-S. The contact received notification of an unknown recall. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer and the engine was replaced. The contact then stated while driving the vehicle two months later, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the oil valve needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred two years later. The vehicle was then towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the warranty coverage being expired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,900.

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Engine · 111,000 miles · CA

After seeing numerous toyota j02 (2018) valve train recall catastrophes, I declined the service. When the ca dmv required it for registration renewal, I waited until the deadline so the toyota mechanics would get more practice on other cars before servicing mine in january 2020 with 98k miles odometer. I thought the strategy worked, until november 2020 at 111k miles odometer. On my daily freeway commute, with a clatter and then a bang, a hole was blown in the side of the engine, out of which oil sprayed onto the cat producing billowing smoke, cel's, and then a low oil alert. By the time I got off the freeway, the engine still ran but was knocking. Puente hills toyota recovered a rocker arm that had somehow detached itself from its swivel, thrashed around inside the valve case, and then got ejected out through the valve cover. They insisted the failure was not covered under their service warranty, which was 12-months unlimited miles in print, for depraved reasons they additionally refused to put in writing. They, and other local shops, attempted to quote me to swap in a used engine, but now there's coincidentally a nationwide shortage of these engines, turning my car, which had run 98k miles flawlessly, into a total loss. The federal safety agency failed the public for forcing and then not rescinding a reckless recall decision, where the hazards of a specialized engine service performed by unspecialized dealership mechanics dwarfed the hazards of taking no action. In trying to prevent dozens of potential engine stalls, they caused hundreds of total loss engine failures. A level of systemic incompetence and corruption has also been exposed in the toyota dealerships of north america. I only hope the federal safety agency, toyota, class action lawyers, or someone can step up.

Filed Nov 10, 2020 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

About 6 months after the j02 recall work was done the engine died commuting in traffic while on the hwy traveling at 65 MPH. Towed to dealership where they report a spun bearing due to oil starvation, yet the crankcase is full with oil (per their own inspection) with about 25% life before having to change oil. I suspect excess rtv from the recall work has clogged the pickup screen or an oil galley. Dealership denies that either of those 2 things are the case and won't fix vehicle, yet they cannot explain the "oil starvation" if the crankcase is full of oil and you quote oil starvation, then something somewhere is clogged. Yet they wont accept responsibvility despite this being a known issue at toyota. Please help!