The Scion iA spans 1995–2026 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2016, 2026, 2025 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1995, 1996, 1997. It delivers up to 36 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Scion iA a good car?
Short answer: it depends heavily on which year you buy. Our score for the Scion iA is 3.5 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the engine — 8 of the 23 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 1995, 1996, 1997 score best in our data, and 2016, 2026 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Scion iA is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Scion iA VIN — every digit explained
Every Scion iA carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit 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 this iA.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. Our VIN decoder breaks all seventeen positions down — year codes, country of assembly and the plant that built your iA.
How many recalls does the Scion iA have?
The Scion iA has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Scion iA
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 32 tracked years, the worst years are 2016, 2026, 2025 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1995, 1996, 1997.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 iA | — | Best | |
| 1996 iA | — | Best | |
| 1997 iA | — | Best | |
| 1998 iA | — | Average | |
| 1999 iA | — | Average | |
| 2000 iA | — | Average | |
| 2001 iA | — | Average | |
| 2002 iA | — | Average | |
| 2003 iA | — | Average | |
| 2004 iA | — | Average | |
| 2005 iA | — | Average | |
| 2006 iA | — | Average | |
| 2007 iA | — | Average | |
| 2008 iA | — | Average | |
| 2009 iA | — | Average | |
| 2010 iA | — | Average | |
| 2011 iA | — | Average | |
| 2012 iA | — | Average | |
| 2013 iA | — | Average | |
| 2014 iA | — | Average | |
| 2015 iA | — | Average | |
| 2016 iA | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2017 iA | — | Average | |
| 2018 iA | — | Average | |
| 2019 iA | — | Average | |
| 2020 iA | — | Average | |
| 2021 iA | — | Average | |
| 2022 iA | — | Average | |
| 2023 iA | — | Average | |
| 2024 iA | — | Average | |
| 2025 iA | — | Avoid | |
| 2026 iA | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Scion iA problems?
The most-reported Scion iA problems are Engine (8 reports), Wheels (1 reports) and Air Bags (6 reports) — out of 23 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Scion iA specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Scion iA. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Scion iA window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Scion iA cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the iA holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 86 cu ft of passenger volume and 13 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Scion iA tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Scion iA get?
The Scion iA returns up to 36 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $1,650/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2016 Scion iA (1.5L 4-cyl) gets 36 mpg combined and costs about $1,750/yr to fuel, emitting 249 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 8/10, smog 6/10) — that's about $2,250 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 iA | 32 | 41 | $1,750 | 249 | 6/10 | 1.5L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the iA stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this iA's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Scion iA have? Power & range
The Scion iA is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.5L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Scion iA cost to own?
A used Scion iA sells for a median of about $8,950 for a 2016 — most listed between $6,000 and $10,900, from 16 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 iA | $6,000–$10,900 | 16 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a iA is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Scion iA depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this iA loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $8,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the iA ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Scion iA safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the iA yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Scion iA last?
A well-maintained Scion iA typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Scion iA’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this iA’s VIN free →All Scion iA model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Scion iA — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2025 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2024 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2023 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2022 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2021 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2020 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2019 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2018 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2017 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2016 iA | 1 recall | — | |
| 2015 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2014 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2013 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2012 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2011 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2010 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2009 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2008 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2007 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2006 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2005 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2004 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2003 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2002 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2001 iA | 0 | — | |
| 2000 iA | 0 | — | |
| 1999 iA | 0 | — | |
| 1998 iA | 0 | — | |
| 1997 iA | 0 | — | |
| 1996 iA | 0 | — | |
| 1995 iA | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the iA?
By owner-complaint volume, 2016, 2026, 2025 drew the most reports. 1995, 1996, 1997 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the iA have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Scion recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the iA get?
Up to 36 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a iA last?
A well-maintained iA typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the iA reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the iA is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Scion iA warranty?
New Scion models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Scion dealer.
Where is the Scion iA made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your iA's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Scion may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the iA have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.