Scion has issued a recall for the 2013 FR-S this month due not for a flaw in the car, but the owners manual. The first production models of both the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ had incorrect information about the airbag sensors listed in the owners manual.
Both Subaru and Scion state that there is no problem with the air-bag system or sensors, but that it is the owners manual that was incorrect in its explanations. A number of pages in the Scion FR-S owners manual are affected.
Dealers will be correcting the owners manuals with a supplemental insert. We have this week a 2013 Scion FR-S which was a relatively early build, and its owners manual already has the corrected supplements in it.
As we see and shown in the photos, multiple pages of the Scion FR-S owners manual are affected. A new supplement insert is attached in the back replacing pages 45, 73,74, 75, 76, 79, 99, 100, 101, 102, and 105.
The major changes involve how the passenger seat sensor operates and affects the air bag deployment. On page 45 of the original manual for instance, there is a warning about placing a cushion or other device on the passenger seat which could disperse the passenger’s weight, causing the seat belt pretensioner to not activate in an accident. This section is omitted in the supplement.
On page 74 of the original manual a long list of conditions are listed that could affect passenger side airbag deployment. In the supplement this list of explanations is reduced and simplified. The majority of further revised pages are of the same subject matter, mainly clarifying how the sensors actually operate and which precautions to take regarding the passenger air bag.
Our manual had the supplement attached in the rear cover, with a sticker placed on each incorrect page stating that the information has been updated, and where to find it. If your car is affected by the recall, you will be contacted by Scion and a remedy will be given.
Whether the remedy will be a new manual or taking yours to the dealer to be modified such as ours is not clear. Contact your local dealer for more information if you do not have the updated manual in your car.
