What 179 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Scion Fr-s

I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety defect involving a complete loss of steering control in my vehicle, 2013 Scion FR-S. While driving and making a turn, the steering system failed entirely, leaving me unable to control the direction of the vehicle. I retained only braking and acceleration capabilities. There where no waring lights or mechanical indicators of potential or probable failure. As a result of this failure, I was involved in a collision with a nearby vehicle. Following the incident, I researched the issue and discovered a known failure point in the electric power steering (EPS) system, specifically related to the steering column EPS damper bushing. This appears to be a recognized defect that has not been addressed at the factory level, despite the significant safety risk it poses. I believe this issue warrants investigation to prevent future incidents and potential injuries. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11706415

Engine stalled won't crank over or run anymore. Mechanic said it was a valve spring issue and vehicle had a recall that entitled engine to be replaced by Toyota.

NHTSA ODI 11520958

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA FOR VALVE SPRINGS. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (TOYOTA OF MARIN, CALIFORNIA). SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, ON MY WAY TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC TO HAVE THE REPAIR INSPECTED (DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT SONOMA RACEWAY IN SONOMA, CA), I EXPERIENCED A BANG AND KNOCK IN THE ENGINE. I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE. I LOOKED FORWARD AND SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND A FIRE CREW HELPED PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT NOT BEFORE THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS DESTROYED.I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH TOYOTA. THEY INSPECTED THE CAR IN APRIL AND I AM AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE. THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING EXPERIENCE. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN NEAR A FIRE CREW WHO COULD PROVIDE IMMEDIATE HELP. I FOLLOWED THE RECALL DIRECTIONS AND LOST MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE HELP IN DEALING WITH TOYOTA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ATTACHED MY LETTER TO TOYOTA AND A PICTURE. THANK YOU. -[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ODI 11204391

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR J02 ENGINE VALVE SPRING SAFETY RECALL ON JAN 29TH, 2019 AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TOOK THEM A COUPLE DAYS, BUT WHEN THEY FINISHED, THEY SAID THE CAR WAS GOOD AS NEW AND I COULD DRIVE IT NORMALLY. 2 WEEKS OF DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK WITH NO ISSUES, THEN ON FEB 17, 2019, I WAS DRIVING UP HIGHWAY 1 FOR A COUPLE HOURS, AS I CAME AROUND A TURN, I WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH, I TAPPED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AS THE ROAD WAS SLOPING DOWNHILL WITH TWO HAIR PIN TURNS UP AHEAD. AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE, I FELT THE REAR WHEELS GIVE WAY A LITTLE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BLINK (I WAS GOING 25MPH, NO REASON FOR TRACTION CONTROL TO ENGAGE). THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE WEIRD, SO I LET OFF THE BRAKE, COASTED DOWNHILL A LITTLE AND THEN TRIED TAPPING THE BRAKES AGAIN, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THINKING MY BRAKES ARE HAVING ISSUES, I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BY SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). WHEN I ENGAGED 2ND GEAR, I HEARD A POP AND SAW THE HOOD OF MY CAR JUMP UP AS IF SOMETHING INSIDE HIT IT AND SAW A LITTLE BIT OF SMOKE. SINCE I JUST PASSED THE FIRST HAIRPIN TURN, I WAS LOOKING AHEAD TO SAFELY PARK MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE, BUT I FELT MY FEET AND LEGS WERE BURNING HOT. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN, I SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE TIREWELL THROUGH THE WINDOW, IT WAS AT THIS POINT, I REMEMBERED I JUST FILLED UP A FULL TANK 20 MILES BACK, SO I USED THE BRAKES TO COMPLETELY STOP THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY - DISREGARDING ANY WARNING LIGHTS AND EXITED THE CAR. THE FIRE EVENTUALLY SPREAD AND BURNED THE ENTIRE CAR DOWN. I HAD NO CELL RECEPTION WHERE I WAS AT, SO I WAITED BY THE CAR UNTILL THE POLICE AND FIRE SHOWED UP.

NHTSA ODI 11186327

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 SCION FR-S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DEFLATED WITH A FOUR INCH HOLE AFTER DEPLOYING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL AND CHEST INJURIES, A FRACTURED STERNUM, AND A LUMBAR SPINE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11066117

AFTER LEAVING A RESIDENCE, GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY WITH NO ISSUES FOR ABOUT 1/4 MILE, SUDDENLY UPON GETTING ABOUT TO 50 MPH, I FELT A SHIMMY. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. BUT I WAS SMELLING A BURNING SMELL PRETTY QUICKLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM A POLLUTED SEMI TRUCK. BUT IT GOT STRONGER. SO, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE FIRST EXIT ANOTHER 1/4 MILE UP. I TURNED ON HAZARDS AND SLOWED TO 40 AND EXITED. UPON STOPPING I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND INSPECTED FIRST THE ENGINE, SEEING NO SMOKE AROUND IT. I THEN INSPECTED THE TIRES. ALL GOOD. SO I OPTED FOR A TOUCH TEST FOR OVERHEATED TIRE, TO SEE IF THEY WERE HOT. WHICH GIVEN I ONLY DROVE MAYBE 1.5 MILES TOTAL, OR 2, THIS SEEMED UNLIKELY. WHEN LEANING TO TOUCH THE LEFT REAR TIRE, I SAW A FLAME COME OUT FROM BEHIND IT, AND IMMEDIATELY GOT AWAY FROM THE CAR AND CALLED 911 FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARRIVED AND DETERMINED THAT LUCKILY THE FIRE HAD EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. UPON MECHANICAL INSPECTION, I LEARNED THE CALIPER FROZE SO THE BRAKE PAD HAD IGNITED. WHILE I WAS DRIVING. A LIVE FLAME UNDER MY CAR, I AM LUCKY NOTHING HAPPENED. I AM TERRIFIED OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WHAT IF ITS IN THE FRONT TIRE NEAR THE ENGINE? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10513321