RoadVitals

2016 Scion Ia

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Aug 28, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Scion Ia, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and airbags categories. 117 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine822.2%
  • Electrical719.4%
  • Airbags616.7%
  • Powertrain (other)513.9%
  • Brakes411.1%
  • Driver assistance38.3%
  • Body & structure12.8%
  • Other / unspecified12.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 28, 2022

Very poorly wired and wires are spliced together which I a fire hazard

NHTSA ID
11481614
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 14, 2022

Was getting off work. Started car and Engine system malfunction light, DSC malfunction light, TPMS System Malfunction light, Auto transmission malfunction light, and SCBS malfunction light all turned on. Car was not currently in motion when lights went on. Was in parking lot. Turned car off, and restarted, lights remained on. Drove vehicle 6.8 miles home, car was in limp mode. When at home used OBD2 scan tool and got codes P0847 C1031 U0401 B13D3 Cleared codes and unplugged 12 volt battery to reset system. Only engine system malfunction light remained. Parked car overnight and went to dealership next morning. Car drove on highway and car seemed fine. Dealership scan car and received code P0847, tech cleared code and test drove car. Problem can not be reproduced.

NHTSA ID
11447451
Incident
Nov 12, 2021
Airbags
Filed Sep 10, 2020
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SCION IA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THEY CRASHED INTO A WILD HORSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD FROM THEM AS OF YET. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11354181
Incident
Sep 8, 2020
Electrical
Filed Aug 28, 2020

MY CAR HAS UNDER 60,000 MILES, I BOUGHT IT WITH ABOUT 28,000 ON IT AND IT HAS HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE DISPLAY. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID THE WHOLE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACED, WHICH IS ABOUT $1200 WITH PARTS AND LABOR. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT CAUSES THE DISPLAY TO GO IN AND OUT, WHICH HAPPENS ALSO WITH THE BACKUP CAMERA.

NHTSA ID
11351758
Incident
May 6, 2019
Engine
Filed Mar 2, 2020

THE VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHUT ITSELF OFF IN THE ROAD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT WILL DISPLAY ON THE DASH. HOWEVER, WHEN I PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE THERE ARE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHATSOEVER. THIS CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY 3 CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALERS AND NONE OF THE MECHANICS CAN ACCURATELY PINPOINT THE ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED THIS CAR WILL SHUT ITSELF DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE A COLLISION. WORST EXPERIENCE WITH A CAR I'VE EVER HAD. SURPRISINGLY NEWER MODEL VEHICLE AND THIS DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE. THE CAR MAINLY SPUTTERS AND STALLS AT IDLE OR LOW SPEEDS. WE HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSES. NOTHING LEFT TO DO AT THIS POINT EXCEPT REPLACE THE CAR. I FEELS IT IS A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11315714
Incident
Feb 28, 2020
Mileage
126,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 27, 2020
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES AND I SLAMMED ON MINE AND THEN THE CAR BEHIND ME HIT ME AND I HIT THE CARIN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND AND THEN I HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME . MY CAR IS TOTALED. PLEASE FILE COMPLAINT AND GET BACK TO ME

NHTSA ID
11311928
Incident
Feb 26, 2020
Mileage
48,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 22, 2019

TRANSMISSION WHINE AFTER USED CAR PURCHASE WITH 91K MILES. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA OF GREENVILLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC. NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO RALPH HAYES TOYOTA OF ANDERSON WHEW I PURCHASED AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE THEN THERE HAS BEEN A TRANSMISSION GRINDING AND SEVERE VIBRATION WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED FOR A BUY BACK. THEY DECLINED. I ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEIR LACK OF CARING AND UNDERSTANDING. TOYOTA CORPORATE DOES NOT CARE. DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING THIS VIBRATION AND BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. IT IS DANGEROUS NOW BECAUSE IT STALLS OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. WHEN IT DOES GO IT LAUNCHES FORWARD. ALSO THE VIBRATION IS SO SEVERE IT WILL SHAKE THE TEETH IN MY MOUTH. I HAVE VIDEO ON MY PHONE OF THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HANGING UP IN GEAR AND THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA CORPORATE DID NOT SEEM TO CARE I HAD PROOF THE NEW TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. ALSO, THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM KEEPS CRASHING AND WAS QUOTED ALMOST $2,000 TO FIX IT. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO FIX IT. ON TOP OF IT ALL THE BRAKES ARE HORRIBLE AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL ARE LOUD AND ACT LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO STOP. WET CONDITIONS ALSO MAKE BRAKING MORE DIFFICULT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THE PASSENGER SEAT IS SENSITIVE TO WEIGHT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN TO ON AND THE SEAT BELT WILL CHIME EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT. MY CELL PHONE CAN BE SITTING IN THE SEAT AND IT MAKES IT CHIME AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ACTIVE.

NHTSA ID
11290769
Incident
Sep 19, 2019
Mileage
91,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 19, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SCION IA. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY DOWNSHIFTED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY DECELERATE. DURING THE FAILURE, A LOUD GRINDING METAL NOISE WAS PRESENT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR DISPLAYED. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND CAUSED A SECOND VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES. IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES FROM WHEN THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY REDUCED SPEED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. LAKE CITY TOYOTA (12059 LAKE CITY WAY NE, SEATTLE, WA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1909103427). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID
11256685
Incident
Jul 28, 2019
Mileage
30,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0058-23 Rev1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

T-SB-0039-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

T-SB-0038-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

T-SB-0061-23 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

T-SB-0062-23 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Scion Ia by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018000
2017000
2016Viewing230043.0

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.