RoadVitals

2012 Scion Iq

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.
17
Latest Oct 14, 2023
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 Nov 8, 2012
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.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Scion Iq, most frequently naming the body & structure, engine and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 89 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

  • Body & structure630.0%
  • Engine420.0%
  • Airbags420.0%
  • Driver assistance210.0%
  • Steering15.0%
  • Exterior lighting15.0%
  • Powertrain (other)15.0%
  • Seat belts15.0%

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
12V528000

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Nov 8, 2012
11,153 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Scion IQ vehicles manufactured July 31, 2011, through October 12, 2012. The cable for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) may become damaged when sliding the passenger seat forward or backward.
The risk: If the cable for the OCS becomes damaged, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover on the OCS weight sensor cable. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 17
AirbagsDriver assistanceSeat belts
Filed Oct 14, 2023

have a 2013 Scion IQ (auto/cvt). I had the 'check engine' and 'trac control' lights come on a few years ago.. I was driving on city streets. All I noticed was that the car didn't respond as it should when I gave it gas. ( nothing drastic ) I ran the codes. It said the gas pedal was the problem. I removed the pedal assembly. (it's easier to unplug it that way. I unplugged it and looked at the inside of the plug. All looked fine. Plugged the pedal back in and all was good then. (I'm sure I avoided a $500 bill ) Same problem just occurred a few years later. I didn't bother running the codes. I just unplugged/re-plugged the pedal. Saved another $500. Here's a scary one. I was driving the car the first light snow of the year. On a city street, going slow on level road. Just maintaining speed..... not slowing ..... not speeding up...... not turning. All of a sudden

NHTSA ID
11549951
Incident
Sep 23, 2023
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owns a 2012 Scion iQ. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, another vehicle made a left turn, causing the contact to crash into the other vehicle; however, no air bags deployed. The contact was injured on her back and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,189.

NHTSA ID
11536296
Incident
Jul 25, 2023
Mileage
75,189 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 25, 2021

The paint of the body is defective

NHTSA ID
11418531
Incident
May 25, 2021
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Feb 3, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION IQ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO RUDY LUTHER TOYOTA (8805 WAYZATA BLVD, GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55426) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11394418
Incident
Jul 18, 2017
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 25, 2020

PAINT BEGAN PEELING ABOUT 13 MONTHS AGO AND NOW HAS BEGUN TO RUST IN THE OPEN METAL AREAS.

NHTSA ID
11341445
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
54,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 8, 2020
Crash reported

I GOT INTO 2 ACCIDENTS IN 3 DAYS WHILE PARKING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE FIRST ACCIDENT 07/04/2020, MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE AND SUDDENLY IT ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. MY VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED AFTER CRASHING INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE SECOND ACCIDENT HAPPEN 7/7/2020 WHILE PULLING FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AGAIN. I CRASHED INTO A CEMENT POLE WHICH STOPPED MY VEHICLE. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THESE 2 DANGEROUS ACCIDENTS OCCURRED? MY VEHICLE WAS JUST REPAIRED OVER A WEEK BC THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. THE MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FROM A CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS CLOGGED, SO HE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW OEM PART. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT ALSO, SO THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE AIR COMPRESSOR IN CAR AT THE SAME TIME. I WISH TO FILE A REPORT BASED ON THE "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" DANGER.

NHTSA ID
11338204
Incident
Jul 7, 2020
Mileage
160,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Mar 1, 2020

PAINT IS COMING OFF OF CAR IN DIFFERENT PLACES & TO MUCH OIL CONSUMPTION EVEN AFTER CHANGING EGR VALUE HAVE TO ADD OIL TO OFTEN.

NHTSA ID
11315440
Incident
Oct 15, 2019
Mileage
590,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 16, 2019

PISTON ARE BURNING A QT OF OIL PER 200 MILES OR LESS AND PAINT FLAKING ON CAR

NHTSA ID
11232377
Incident
Jul 1, 2019

Manufacturer communications

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

Z2G_Dealer_Lette

STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement.

Z3G_Dealer_Lette

STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement.

ZKG_Dealer_Lette

STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement

Support Program

STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement

ZKG_Dealer_Lette

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above.

ZKG_Paint_Repair

EQUIPMENT

CSP: Customer Support Program ZKG - Paint Repair Process Operation Flow Chart

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 Iq by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016000—
2015100—
2014100—
2013510—
2012Viewing171045.0

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.