Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 12 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
17 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2023
Air BagsSeat BeltsVehicle Speed Control
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. …
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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 ODI #11549951
75,189 miles · Aug 3, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury
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 y…
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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 ODI #11536296
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2021
Structure
The paint of the body is defective
NHTSA ODI #11418531
62,000 miles · Feb 3, 2021
EngineExterior Lighting
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 MENTI…
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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 ODI #11394418
54,000 miles · Jul 25, 2020
Structure
PAINT BEGAN PEELING ABOUT 13 MONTHS AGO AND NOW HAS BEGUN TO RUST IN THE OPEN METAL AREAS.
NHTSA ODI #11341445
160,000 miles · Jul 8, 2020
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
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/…
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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 ODI #11338204
590,000 miles · Mar 1, 2020
EngineStructure
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 ODI #11315440
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2019
StructureUnknown Or Other
PISTON ARE BURNING A QT OF OIL PER 200 MILES OR LESS AND PAINT FLAKING ON CAR
NHTSA ODI #11232377
43,000 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Structure
THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ENTIRE CAR. THE BODY SHOP SAID IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, MODEL & COLOR. WHY WON'T TOYOTA DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?
NHTSA ODI #11173297
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2018
Engine
STARTING BACK IN OCTOBER TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD CAR HAD NO OIL. I BRING MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGES, SO WAS NOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON, SO I DISMISSED IT... BROUGHT CAR BACK TODAY 01/10/18 HAD THEM CHECK THE OIL LEVELS AND THE CAR NEEDED 2 1/2 LITTER OF OIL... I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE PISTONS... PLEASE…
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STARTING BACK IN OCTOBER TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD CAR HAD NO OIL. I BRING MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGES, SO WAS NOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON, SO I DISMISSED IT... BROUGHT CAR BACK TODAY 01/10/18 HAD THEM CHECK THE OIL LEVELS AND THE CAR NEEDED 2 1/2 LITTER OF OIL... I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE PISTONS... PLEASE RECALL
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Air Bags
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2012 Scion Iq Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year