2012 Scion IQ problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
36,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 17 complaints (35.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 11.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Structure:Body: 6; Air Bags: 4; Engine: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10546045 · 2013-09-28 (September 28, 2013)
WHEN COLD THE CV TRANSMISSION IN THE IQ WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO PULL AWAY UP A STEEP HILL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE ISSUE ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, IT WILL PULL THE SAME HILL WITH NO PROBLEM WHEN WARM. THE IQ HAS A CV TRANSMISSION AND IT FAILS TO ADJUST TO A HIGH ENOUGH RPM TO PULL AWAY UP A STEEP (10%) GRADE. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS AS EITHER NO OR VERY SLOW FORWARD PROGRESS (LESS THAN WALKING SPEED) EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR HARD DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REP SE…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11549951 · 2023-10-14 (October 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11549951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10488990 · 2012-12-17 (December 17, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION IQ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND RIBS DUE TO STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 12V528000 (AIR BAGS) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ALL OF THE VEHICLES UNDER THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE BODY REPAIR TECH…
Owner-reported narrative. 562 miles reported. Look up ODI 10488990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502115 · 2013-03-08 (March 8, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION IQ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS NOT STABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338204 · 2020-07-08 (July 8, 2020)
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 ACCIDENT…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338204 at NHTSA ↗