RoadVitals

2016 Scion Im

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.
12
Latest Jul 8, 2024
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.
1
Latest Apr 22, 2016
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.
1
1 currently open
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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Scion Im, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 76 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

  • Powertrain (other)533.3%
  • Electrical213.3%
  • Body & structure213.3%
  • Engine16.7%
  • Interior & seats16.7%
  • Steering16.7%
  • Visibility16.7%
  • Brakes16.7%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; TIRES

Apr 22, 2016
94 units potentially affected
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
The risk: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLCManufacturer number SET16AView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA21002OpenEngineering Analysis

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Scion IM. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission was skipping the 6th and 7th gears. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop at an intersection, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact disconnected the battery for 15 minutes and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was then towed to the parent's residence. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer location. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11600065
Incident
Jul 8, 2023
Mileage
85,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 19, 2023

Traction control turns off by itself Was not accelerate But I turned it off And restarted it it started to accelerate. But traction control is still turned off

NHTSA ID
11527775
Incident
Jun 19, 2023
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Jun 27, 2022

The vehicles car horn no longer works, this is safety manufacturer defect that should be reported and fixed by the manufacturer. I was driving the vehicle and could not honk to other vehicles thus creating a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID
11471242
Incident
Jun 7, 2022
Electrical
Filed Sep 2, 2021

The horn on the vehicle began to operate intermittently and now it does not work at all. This is a major safety issue as I have several near misses with other drivers turning into my travel lane without signaling and nearly causing an accident. I have no way of preventing an incursion without the horn being operational. Toyota dealership informed me it was a spiral cable and the cost would be nearly $900.00 to replace. I feel this device should not be prone to failure and be replaced at no cost to me. I have seen where Toyota has had this issue before and recalled to have said spiral cable replaced. I tried Toyota customer care and they told me it was my issue. This is a safety issue and wish Toyota to stand behind their product.

NHTSA ID
11431532
Incident
Aug 4, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 17, 2021

TRANSMISSION DOES QUIRKY THINGS. SOMETIMES IT GETS STUCK IN HIGH RPM'S AND DOESN'T WANT TO UPSHIFT. SOMETIMES IT WON'T ACCELERATE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THE RPM'S UP HIGH ENOUGH. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SOMETIMES IT SLIPS

NHTSA ID
11388529
Incident
Jul 5, 2020
Mileage
67,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2021

THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON FOR A SECOND WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. THE LIGHT NOW COMES ON AND STAYS ON THE WHOLE TIME YOU ACCELERATE BUT AS SOON AS YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE LIGHT GOES OUT. THIS NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL YOU LET OFF THE GAS.

NHTSA ID
11388528
Incident
Jul 5, 2020
Mileage
67,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 4, 2018

PURCHASED MY 2016 SCION IM AND WAS GREAT FOR THE FIRST YEAR. IN 2018, THE CAR DEVELOPED A ROUGH IDLE, USUALLY AT A STOP LIGHT AND AFTER THE CAR WAS WARM. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS FOUND AS IT WAS NOT REPLICATED DURING THEIR TEST DRIVE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROUGH IDLE UNTIL THE NEXT ISSUE HAPPENED. THE NEXT ISSUE I HAVE BEEN HAVING IS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE AT STOP LIGHTS. IT ALSO DECELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH DOWN TO A SLOW CRAWL!. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER A SCARY SITUATION ON THE FREEWAY. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN UPDATE TO THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE THAT HAD TO BE DONE. AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS, I WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE, MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED! I WAS A BIT CONFUSED AS TO WHAT HAPPENED ON A SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 32K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR TO GET AROUND IN WHILE MY CAR AWAITS A TRANSMISSION FROM TOYOTA. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE BUT IT SURE IS A SCARY ISSUE TO HAVE. I MUST SAY THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT SENT ANY INFORMATION TO MY HOME ADDRESS WITH REGARDS TO ANY SOFTWARE UPDATES. SEEMS LIE TOYOTA HAS DROPPED THE BALL ON THIS ONE.

NHTSA ID
11145240
Incident
Nov 2, 2018
Mileage
32,000 mi
Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Mar 12, 2018
Crash reported2 injuries reported

THIS CAR HAS THE WORST BACKSEAT HEADREST. THEY'RE TOO HIGH AND TALK AND OBSTRUCT THE REAR WINDOW WHEN DRIVING. CREATES A TERRIBLE BLINDSPOT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BACK WINDOW. ACTUALLY GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT IN A PARKING LOT PULLING OUT OF MY SPOT. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE THE CLEAR VISIBILITY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME PULLED OUT AND I COULDN'T REACT IN TIME.

NHTSA ID
11078616
Incident
Aug 6, 2017
Mileage
21,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

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-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-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-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.

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 Im by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000
2016Viewing121143.4

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.