The Scion iQ spans 1995–2026 with 4 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2012, 2013, 2015 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1995, 1996, 1997. It delivers up to 121 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Scion iQ a good car?
Short answer: it depends heavily on which year you buy. Our score for the Scion iQ 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 — 9 of the 24 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 1995, 1996, 1997 score best in our data, and 2012, 2013 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 iQ is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Scion iQ VIN — every digit explained
Every Scion iQ 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 iQ.
- 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 lookup reads every position for you — engine code, model year, assembly plant and country of build.
How many recalls does the Scion iQ have?
The Scion iQ has 4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2013 Scion iQ recalls 1
Air Bags
What's wrong. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Scion IQ vehicles manufactured July 31, 2011, through October 12, 2012. The cable for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) may become damaged when sliding the passenger seat forward or backward.
Risk. If the cable for the OCS becomes damaged, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover on the OCS weight sensor cable. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
2012 Scion iQ recalls 1
Air Bags
What's wrong. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Scion IQ vehicles manufactured July 31, 2011, through October 12, 2012. The cable for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) may become damaged when sliding the passenger seat forward or backward.
Risk. If the cable for the OCS becomes damaged, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover on the OCS weight sensor cable. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Best and worst years for the Scion iQ
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 32 tracked years, the worst years are 2012, 2013, 2015 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 iQ | — | Best | |
| 1996 iQ | — | Best | |
| 1997 iQ | — | Best | |
| 1998 iQ | — | Average | |
| 1999 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2000 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2001 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2002 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2003 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2004 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2005 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2006 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2007 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2008 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2009 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2010 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2011 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2012 iQ | Structure | Avoid | |
| 2013 iQ | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2014 iQ | Power Train | Average | |
| 2015 iQ | Air Bags | Avoid | |
| 2016 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2017 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2018 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2019 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2020 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2021 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2022 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2023 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2024 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2025 iQ | — | Average | |
| 2026 iQ | — | Average |
What are the most common Scion iQ problems?
The most-reported Scion iQ problems are Engine (9 reports), Air Bags (6 reports) and Steering (2 reports) — out of 24 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 iQ specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Scion iQ. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Scion iQ window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Scion iQ cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the iQ holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 74 cu ft of passenger volume and 4 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 iQ 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 iQ get?
The Scion iQ returns up to 121 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $650/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2015 Scion iQ (1.3L 4-cyl) gets 37 mpg combined and costs about $1,700/yr to fuel, emitting 238 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 9/10, smog 6/10) — that's about $2,500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 iQ | 36 | 37 | $1,700 | 238 | 6/10 | 1.3L 4-cyl | |
| 2014 iQ | 36 | 37 | $1,700 | 238 | 6/10 | 1.3L 4-cyl | |
| 2013 iQ | 36 | 37 | $1,700 | 238 | 6/10 | 1.3L 4-cyl | |
| 2012 iQ | 36 | 37 | $1,700 | 240 | 6/10 | 1.3L 4-cyl | |
| 2011 iQ | 36 | 37 | $1,750 | 247 | — | 1.3L 4-cyl |
The 2013 Scion iQ gets 121 MPGe and costs about $650/yr to fuel — that's about $7,750 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 iQ | 138 | 105 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric |
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 iQ stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this iQ's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Scion iQ have? Power & range
The Scion iQ is offered with 2 powertrains — 1.3L 4-cyl, Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.3L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Regular |
| Electric | Electric motor | CVT | FWD | Electricity |
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 iQ cost to own?
A used Scion iQ sells for a median of about $10,900 for a 2014 — most listed between $9,990 and $10,900, from 13 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 iQ | $9,990–$10,900 | 3 | |
| 2013 iQ | $6,000–$8,995 | 4 | |
| 2012 iQ | $5,000–$11,000 | 6 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a iQ is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Scion iQ 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 iQ loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $3,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the iQ 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 iQ safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the iQ yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Scion iQ last?
A well-maintained Scion iQ 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 iQ’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this iQ’s VIN free →All Scion iQ model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Scion iQ — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2025 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2024 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2023 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2022 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2021 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2020 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2019 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2018 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2017 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2016 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2015 iQ | 1 recall | — | |
| 2014 iQ | 1 recall | — | |
| 2013 iQ | 1 recall | — | |
| 2012 iQ | 1 recall | — | |
| 2011 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2010 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2009 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2008 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2007 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2006 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2005 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2004 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2003 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2002 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2001 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 2000 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 1999 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 1998 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 1997 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 1996 iQ | 0 | — | |
| 1995 iQ | 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 iQ?
By owner-complaint volume, 2012, 2013, 2015 drew the most reports. 1995, 1996, 1997 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the iQ have?
4 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 iQ get?
Up to 121 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a iQ last?
A well-maintained iQ typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the iQ reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the iQ is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Scion iQ 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 iQ made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your iQ'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 iQ 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.