AI DamageScion IM: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Scion IM across 2 model years: 12 owner complaints and 45 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 42% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 5 Backover prevention 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (42% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Structure: 2 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Backover prevention: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2016
- CVT 2016
- manual, 6-speed 2016
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 42 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 2 | 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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 2026-11-04.