AI Damage2016 Scion IM: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Scion IM filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and structure. The maker issued 43 service bulletins for this year. We found 9 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 43
- YouTube repair videos
- 9
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: 23.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- 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
- CVT
- manual, 6-speed
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 | 23 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 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 | 14 |
| 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.
Drivers side front window makes a noise as it rubs against something inside of door when lowering or raising window.
Transmission began slipping while on the highway less than 25 miles after service at toyota dealership. The clutch then degraded over less than 500 miles to the point where vehicle was barely drivable and did not transmit enough power to go up hills at all.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,428 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 32% least complained about).
On average one model year of the IM has 6 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 12, above average.
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…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination.
- TSB
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this…
- Floor Mat Installation During PDS
- An electric control unit has improper programming
NHTSA lists 43 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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.
- 2016 Scion iM: Even automakers get hand-me-downsamount per author: 220,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Is the 2016 Scion iM Built for the Long Haul?
- 2016 Scion iM
- 2016 Scion iM: The Important Stuff You've Alway Wanted to Know
- 2016 Scion iM: RCR Quickie
- 2016 Scion iM 520640
- 2016 Scion iM Spark Plug Replacement
- 2016 Scion iM CVT - NO ACCIDENTS - BACK UP CAMERA - SPRING GREEN - B10915
- 2016 Scion iM | 5 Reasons to Buy | Autotrader
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Scion IM?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, structure, electrical system. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (25%), hesitation when accelerating (8%), transmission slipping (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Scion IM?
NHTSA lists 43 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Scion IM from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
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.