2016 Scion Im problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (5) · Structure:body (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment:other:labels 2016-04-22 · campaign 16V236000 · 94 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars.
Risk: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Service bulletins (76)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 76 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-07-08 · Power Train · 85,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 scion im. the contact stated while driving 70 mph, the transmission was skipping the 6th and 7th gears. the contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. there was no warning light illuminated. additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop at an intersection, the…”
2023-06-19 · Power Train“traction control turns off by itself was not accelerate but i turned it off and restarted it it started to accelerate. but traction control is still turned off…”
2022-06-27 · Unknown Or Other“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.…”
2021-09-02 · Electrical System“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. i have no way of preventing an incursion without the horn being operational. toyota dealership informe…”
2021-01-17 · Power Train · 67,000 mi“transmission does quirky things. sometimes it gets stuck in high rpm's and doesn't want to upshift. sometimes it won't accelerate because you can't get the rpm's up high enough. this is an automatic transmission. sometimes it slips…”
2021-01-17 · Service Brakes · 67,000 mi“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. this now happens every time you accelerate from a stop and the light stays on until you let off th…”
2018-11-04 · Power Train · 32,000 mi“purchased my 2016 scion im and was great for the first year. in 2018, the car developed a rough idle, usually at a stop light and after the car was warm. i reported it to the dealership and nothing was found as it was not replicated during their test drive. the car continued to rough idle until the next issue happened. the next issue i have been …”
2018-03-12 · Visibility/Wiper · 21,000 mi · 💥 crash“this car has the worst backseat headrest. 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 ti…”
2018-02-25 · Structure:body · 10 mi“drivers side front window makes a noise as it rubs against something inside of door when lowering or raising window.…”
2018-01-20 · Unknown Or Other · 20 mi“i bought a new toyota im but it was a broken evaporator core. i want toyota check the place. i am claiming to the lemon law arbitration. the mechanic who checked said looked like it was crushed when the car was making. i would like you to check further investigation since it was sold as a brand new car and toyota try to get away with nothing ha…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.