AI DamageScion IA: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Scion IA across 3 model years: 23 owner complaints and 78 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 35% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 26% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 13% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 8 complaints (35% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (30% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Air bags: 6 complaints (26% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2016
- automatic, 6-speed 2016
- manual, 6-speed 2016
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 23 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| Air bags | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 61 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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
During the failure, a loud grinding metal noise was present under the vehicle and an unknown warning indicator displayed. On one occasion, while driving, the failure occurred and caused a second vehicle to crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The driver sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries.
Very poorly wired and wires are spliced together which I a fire hazard
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.
I went to dealership, who said the whole infotainment system needs replaced, which is about $1200 with parts and labor. It has been doing this with less than 30,000 miles on the car and has gotten worse. It causes the display to go in and out, which happens also with the backup camera.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.