2016 Scion Ia Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Scion Ia, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine822.2%
- Electrical719.4%
- Airbags616.7%
- Powertrain (other)513.9%
- Brakes411.1%
- Driver assistance38.3%
- Body & structure12.8%
- Other / unspecified12.8%
- Steering12.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Very poorly wired and wires are spliced together which I a fire hazard
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
2016 SCION IA. BRAKES MAKE LOUD NOISE WHEN APPLIED AFTER COLD START OR LONG PERIOD OF TIME ENGINE IS OFF. NOISE DISAPPEARS AFTER 3-5 BRAKE ATTEMPTS AND BRIEFLY SHOWS UP AGAIN AFTERWARDS. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED...FIRST THEY SAID BATTERY...WHILE DRIVING, INDICATING WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH START BLINKING (ABS, CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION, AND OTHERS), THEN THE ENGINE GOES INTO LOW HEAR AND STAYS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. DURING THESE EPISODES THE SPEED ODOMETER IS ERRATIC. ALSO WHEN IN THIS STATE, THE REVERSE GEAR DOES NOT ENGAGE. WHEN THIS STARTED IT WAS A ONCE A MONTH PROBLEM, THEN WEEKLY, NOW IT HAPPENS DAILY/HOURLY. IT STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY, MOST OF THE TIME AT STOPS AND LOWER SPEEDS BUT DOES HAPPEN ON FREEWAY TOO.
I WAS ABOUT TO PARK AT A BURGER KING STORE AT DELANO CALIFORNIA 93215 AND SLOWING DOWN WHEN MY SCION IA SPEED UP MORE AND KEPT ON RUNNING WHILE MY FOOT IS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE. SO I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE STORE. IT ONLY STOP BECAUSE THE TIRE WHERE ALREADY UP. I TRIED TO REVERSE MY CAR BUT CANNOT MOVE ANYMORE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR TRUCK POPS OPEN RANDOMLE WILE DRIVING!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
IS DIFFCULT TO BUY TIRES FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE DEALERS NEVER HAVE IN STOCK THIS SIZE TIRE TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE TO ORDER FOR YOU NEVER HAVE IN STOCK OTHER TIRE DEALERS HAVE TO ORDER FOR YOU ALSO MORE EXPENSIVE TO ORDER
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Very poorly wired and wires are spliced together which I a fire hazard
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .