2016 Scion Ia problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (5) · Power Train (4) · Vehicle Speed Control (3)
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (117)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
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 repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 117 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-08-28 · Steering“very poorly wired and wires are spliced together which i a fire hazard…”
2022-01-14 · Power Train“was getting off work. started car and engine system malfunction light, dsc malfunction light, tpms system malfunction light, auto transmission malfunction light, and scbs malfunction light all turned on. car was not currently in motion when lights went on. was in parking lot. turned car off, and restarted, lights remained on. drove vehicle 6…”
2020-09-10 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“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. the contact had not contacted the dealer. the manu…”
2020-08-28 · Electrical System“my car has under 60,000 miles, i bought it with about 28,000 on it and it has had intermittent issues with the display. 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…”
2020-03-02 · Unknown Or Other · 126,000 mi“the vehicle will intermittently shut itself off in the road for no apparent reason. the check engine light and battery light will display on the dash. however, when i put the car back in park and restart the engine there are no indicator lights on and no check engine light whatsoever. this car has been looked at by 3 certified toyota dealers and no…”
2020-02-27 · Air Bags · 48,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was driving on the freeway and the car in front of me slammed on his brakes and i slammed on mine and then the car behind me hit me and i hit the carin front of me. 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…”
2019-12-22 · Service Brakes · 91,000 mi“transmission whine after used car purchase with 91k miles. took it to toyota of greenville for diagnostic. needed a new transmission. took the car back to ralph hayes toyota of anderson whew i purchased and they replaced the transmission. since then there has been a transmission grinding and severe vibration while in drive or reverse. i called toyo…”
2019-09-19 · Power Train · 30,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2016 scion ia. on two separate occasions, while driving, the transmission erroneously downshifted and caused the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. 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 cau…”
2019-05-18 · Structure:body · 25,000 mi“car truck pops open randomle wile driving!…”
2019-03-22 · Engine · 29,000 mi“when at a stop the engine starts to shake like it's about to turn off we bought it with 29000 miles noticed it a week after we bought it and it has done it a few times the toyota dealership couldn't find any codes to remedy it. the check engine does not come on but it does shake violently.it has 35000 miles now.i had the throttle body cleaned and i…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.