The 2014 FR-S is a fun, lightweight sports car with the FA20 boxer engine that's generally reliable but has a critical weakness: oil starvation leading to catastrophic engine failure, especially in cars driven hard or tracked. Beyond that, expect typical boxer quirks and some transmission mount issues.
FA20 Oil Starvation and Spun Rod Bearings
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: metallic knocking from engine, especially on cold start, low oil pressure warning, sudden loss of power, catastrophic engine failure without warning in severe cases
Fix: The FA20's oil pickup design and thin rod bearings make it vulnerable to starvation during hard cornering or low oil levels. Once bearings spin, you're looking at complete engine rebuild or short block replacement. Typically 20-30 hours labor for short block swap, plus machine work if rebuilding. Many owners go with built motors or used JDM replacements.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,500
Valve Spring Failure (Early Production)
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: misfires on one or more cylinders, check engine light with misfire codes, ticking noise from valve train, loss of compression in affected cylinder
Fix: Early FA20 engines had weak valve springs that could break, dropping fragments into the cylinder and destroying the engine. Toyota issued a TSB but no formal recall. Requires head removal and complete valve train inspection/replacement. 12-16 hours labor if caught early; full rebuild if fragments caused damage.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting or letting off throttle, excessive drivetrain movement felt through shifter, vibration at idle in gear, difficulty getting into first or reverse
Fix: The rear transmission mount wears out from spirited driving and creates annoying driveline slop. Straightforward replacement, 1-2 hours labor. Many owners upgrade to stiffer aftermarket mounts while they're in there.
Estimated cost: $200-400
Throwout Bearing Noise (Manual Transmission)
Common · low severityTypical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: chirping or squealing with clutch pedal released, noise disappears when clutch is depressed, no actual clutch function issues initially
Fix: The throwout bearing develops annoying chirping that doesn't affect function but drives owners crazy. Requires transmission removal to replace properly, 6-8 hours labor. Many live with it unless doing clutch work anyway. Some find temporary relief with clutch pedal adjustment.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200
Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: difficulty starting, especially when hot, stumbling or hesitation under hard acceleration, engine stalling at operating temperature, fuel pump whine from rear of car
Fix: In-tank fuel pump can fail, leaving you stranded. Requires dropping the fuel tank, 3-4 hours labor. Not unique to this platform but worth noting since it's a common failure point on these cars.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Cricket Chirping Noise from Fuel System
Common · low severitySymptoms: cricket-like chirping from rear of car, especially after shutdown, noise from fuel tank area when car is parked, no performance impact
Fix: The fuel tank pressure equalization system makes cricket noises due to valve flutter. Completely harmless but annoying. Some dealers replaced fuel tank assemblies under goodwill, but many owners just live with it. 0 hours - no fix needed unless you can't stand the sound.
Buy one if you want an affordable, pure driver's car, but verify oil change history religiously and budget for potential engine issues - these are ticking time bombs if neglected or tracked hard without proper oiling mods.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.