Scion is a USA carmaker founded in 2003, now part of Toyota. The cars themselves are another matter: across 7 VIN prefixes on record they came off lines in 2 countries — Japan 98.5%, Mexico 1.2%. 8 models are tracked here (2004–2016). Reliable? mostly, with caveats — 3.6 out of 5 across 8 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).
Who makes Scion
Scion builds one of the most recognised vehicle lineups on the road.
| Scion | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | USA |
| Owned by | Toyota |
| Models tracked here | 8 (2004–2016) |
| Assembled in | 2 countries |
Where Scion cars are actually built
A badge says where a company is registered, not where its cars were bolted together. The first three characters of any VIN — the world manufacturer identifier — say the second thing, and that is what we counted: 1,852 vehicles on record, 7 distinct manufacturer codes.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JTL, JTK, JF1, JTN | 2004–2016 | |
| Mexico | 3MY | 2016–2016 |
Read your own: the first character is the region, the first three together identify the plant's manufacturer. A Scion beginning JTL was assembled in Japan.
All Scion models 8
Every Scion model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.
Scion SUVs & crossovers 1
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scion xB | 2004–2015 | 76 | 862 | 29 mpg | 3.5/5 |
Scion Cars & sedans 7
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scion FR-S | 2013–2016 | 12 | 201 | 28 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Scion iA | 2016–2016 | 1 | 23 | 36 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Scion iM | 2016–2016 | 1 | 12 | 31 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Scion iQ | 2011–2015 | 4 | 24 | 37 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Scion tC | 2005–2016 | 30 | 512 | 26 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Scion xA | 2004–2006 | 11 | — | 30 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Scion xD | 2008–2014 | 19 | 37 | 29 mpg | 3.5/5 |
Scion by the numbers
What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.
| Topic | Scion | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 154 campaigns | Most recalled: Equipment:other:labels |
| Owner complaints | 1,671+ filed | Most reported: xB |
| Fuel economy | 37 mpg best | Leader: iQ |
| Insurance | $1,682/yr typical | Cheapest: iQ |
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
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Get a Scion window sticker by VIN
Recreate any Scion's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.
Scion window stickers →How to read a Scion VIN
Every Scion built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Scion and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the number is stamped, see our free VIN decoder.
Who owns Scion, and what you get
Scion belongs to Toyota.
| Scion | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Ownership | Toyota |
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Assembly countries | Japan, Mexico |
⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 3 years / 36,000 miles. See when Scion models actually start to break →
Scion — frequently asked
Is Scion usa?
Scion is a USA company and founded in 2003. The cars are a separate question: 98.5% of the Scion vehicles in our records were assembled in Japan.
Where are Scion cars made?
Across 7 manufacturer codes on record, assembly splits as: Japan (98.5%), Mexico (1.2%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the manufacturer and plant country — that is where these shares come from.
Who owns Scion?
Scion is part of Toyota.
How many Scion models are there?
We track 8 Scion models spanning 2004–2016. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.
What is the Scion warranty?
New vehicles come with 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.
Is Scion reliable?
It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every Scion model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.
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