2016 Scion Im 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 Im, 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
- Powertrain (other)533.3%
- Electrical213.3%
- Body & structure213.3%
- Engine16.7%
- Interior & seats16.7%
- Steering16.7%
- Visibility16.7%
- Brakes16.7%
- Driver assistance16.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
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
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW MAKES A NOISE AS IT RUBS AGAINST SOMETHING INSIDE OF DOOR WHEN LOWERING OR RAISING WINDOW.
TAKATA RECALL- PURCHASE 2016 SCION IM BRAND NEW A FEW MONTHS AGO. I NOTICED A PAINT DETAIL ON THE TOP OF THE HATCHBACK DOOR INSIDE WAS DONE POORLY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 .