Should I worry about the valve spring recall on my 2013 Scion FR-S?

Short answer: Yes, take it seriously. Recall 18V772 covers 2013 FR-S (and BRZ) engines whose valve springs can break, which can cause rough running or a stall while driving. The fix is free new springs. Owners on FT86Club also reported knocking and engine failure soon after the recall work, which they blamed on sealant getting into the oil system during reassembly. If you get the recall done, choose an experienced dealer, and stop and get it checked if you hear knocking afterward.

Symptom: Before the recall: possible odd noise, rough running or a stall. After the recall, owners reported knocking, loss of power or the engine dying, sometimes within a few hundred to a couple thousand miles.

What to check first

1. Check your VIN for recall 18V772. If it's open, the repair is free.
2. Ask the dealer how many of these they've done and whether a senior tech will do it.
3. Change the oil soon after the recall and watch for debris.
4. If you hear knocking or the engine stumbles after the recall, stop driving and have it towed back to the dealer. Document everything.
5. Keep all paperwork and mileage records in case you need to make a claim.

Likely causes

1. Valve springs that can fracture. What the recall replaces.
2. Oil starvation after reassembly (owner reports). Owners found sealant bits in the oil pickup and spun bearings.

What it usually costs

The recall is free. One owner on FT86Club was quoted $7,500 for a used engine or $8,500 for a new short block by the dealer after a failure, then went through their state's auto repair bureau and got a refund after mediation.

Is it safe to keep driving?

With an open recall, a broken spring can stall the engine. That's dangerous in traffic. After the recall, any knocking is a stop-driving sign. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.

DIY or shop?

Dealer. It's a recall repair and the engine must come apart.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recall 18V772 (2013 Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, plus some Impreza and XV Crosstrek): the engine valve springs may break, causing the engine to malfunction or stall. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer replaces the springs for free.
• NHTSA complaints: 132 keyword-matched complaints for Scion FR-S 2013 (of 179 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-21; keywords: valve spring, stall, engine failure, engine knock, knock, spun bearing). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Results of the valve spring recall work on FT86Club, a 2013 FR-S owner's engine started knocking and died on the highway about 1,000 miles after the recall. The dealer found a spun rod bearing and wanted the owner to pay $7,500–$8,500. An independent shop later found the oil pickup about 25% blocked with black silicone bits. Several other members said the same thing happened to them.
• In Not doing the valve spring recall? on FT86Club, owners debated skipping the recall. One said their engine started knocking 1,600 miles after the work and the dealer was replacing the engine. Others said to choose a dealer with an experienced tech, and one BRZ owner reported no problems 2,500 miles after the recall.

Quick tip

Still do the recall, but pick the dealer carefully, change the oil a few hundred miles later and listen to the engine closely.

Vehicle focus: 2013 Scion FR-S (also applies to the 2013 Subaru BRZ).

Safety / mechanic note

An engine stall can cause a crash. Verify with a mechanic.