Scion owners have filed 1,877 complaints with NHTSA across 8 models. On average the car was 5.31 years old when the problem happened, and 35.8% of reports fall inside the first three years — while the factory warranty was still running.
What breaks on Scion
The systems Scion owners report most, and how often each failure ended in a crash.
| System | Complaints | Share of Scion | Ended in a crash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 20.2% | 23.4% | |
| Engine | 14.3% | 0.4% | |
| Visibility | 13.1% | 0.4% | |
| Structure | 5.2% | 1% | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3.9% | 39.7% | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2.8% | 0% | |
| Electrical System | 2.7% | 4% | |
| Power Train | 2.4% | 4.4% |
When Scion problems show up
| Measure | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Average age at failure | 5.31 years | How old the car was when the problem happened |
| Reported inside 3 years | 35.8% | Share of complaints filed while the factory warranty was likely still running |
| Complaints describing a crash | 238 | Of 1,877 total |
| Complaints describing a fire | 44 | Of 1,877 total |
A low average age does not automatically mean a fragile car: a brand with a young fleet on the road will always skew early. Read it next to the share reported inside three years.
Which Scion models draw the most complaints
Volume follows sales, so a bestseller will always top this list. The columns worth reading are age at failure and how many reports ended in a crash.
Scion complaints by model year
A bad generation shows up here as a block of years, not as a single spike. Recent years look quiet simply because those cars are young and still under warranty.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | — | |
| 2015 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2012 | 12 | 5 | |
| 2011 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 25 | 5 | |
| 2008 | 46 | 8 | |
| 2007 | 12 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 53 | 5 | |
| 2005 | 45 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 8 | 1 |
What Scion owners report
Grouped by the system owners named. Open any row for the full reports, in their own words — one per model so the same fault does not repeat.
Air Bags 380 Read
The contact owns a 2006 Scion XB. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, another vehicle crashed into the rear, pushing it with the impact into an intersection due to the other vehicle still accelerating while rear-ending her vehicle. The contact stated that the other vehicle had lifted the rear end of her vehicle and had almost driven under her. The contact stated that the other vehicle then backed up and went around her vehicle, and left the scene. The contact mentioned that the driver of the other vehicle was intoxicated. The contact stated that she called the police, and she was advised to drive the vehicle off the roadway. The contact stated that she was able to drive the vehicle to a nearby parking lot. The contact stated that her vehicle's rear bumper had dents and cracks, and the rear lift gate was damaged. The contact stated that a lower section of the rear bumper had fallen off. The contact stated that the air bag warning was illuminated but the air bags had not deployed. The contact stated that the police arrived and filed a report. The contact stated that the EMTs were on scene and had taken her blood pressure and also checked her passenger for any injuries. The contact was asked if she or her passenger wanted to be transported to the hospital. They both declined, and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to her destination. The contact stated that the following day she had a scheduled medical appointment and told the doctor that her neck wa
The contact owns a 2012 Scion iQ. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, another vehicle made a left turn, causing the contact to crash into the other vehicle; however, no air bags deployed. The contact was injured on her back and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,189
1. I believe my airbags deployed pre-maturely with a soft impact to another vehicle. There was no damage to the other vehicle and no police report needed to be filed. There is a minor damage to my front bumper. 2. The airbags inflated on me, but no medical attention was required. 3. I have not confirmed or reproduced this problem with a professional. 4. My car has not been inspected nor reported to my insurance agency as my coverage only covers liability. 5. No symptoms prior to airbags deploying pre-maturely *Because of the pre-mature deployment of my airbags I am unable to afford the airbags to be reset, as doing so would cost more than the kbb estimated value of my car
Engine 268 Read
Engine stalled won't crank over or run anymore. Mechanic said it was a valve spring issue and vehicle had a recall that entitled engine to be replaced by Toyota
The contact owns a 2007 toyota scion tc. While driving at approximately 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven to the dealer, an unknown part of the engine fell out causing oil to spill out with fumes of smoke. There was no fire but a fire report was filed with the fire department. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000
The contact owns a 2012 scion xb. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle decelerated, the steering wheel was tight, and smoke emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injury. The vehicle erupted into flames and the contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and indicated that they would send an inspector; however, no one was sent for a year. The insurance company had a fire inspector who diagnosed that the number one cylinder rod fractured and caused a hole for oil to leak out of, which LED to the fire. The fire caused catastrophic failure to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000
Visibility 245 Read
Poor quality back-up light could cause vehicle to be unseen while backing up. Scion xb has only one back-up light mounted on the lower right side of the bumper. This light could cause a serious hazard to children and pets that are walking or playing at night.toyota has installed a very safe light assembly on the same vehicle sold in japan as a (toyota rumion).the lights on the toyota are a direct fit with the scion xb and cost toyota very little to fix.please note that single light on the bumper can illuminate the ground and the toyota version lights up the rear completely.these toyota lights can be found on the internet and some members of scionlife. Com has installed them already. The cost of these lights shipped to the us are way beyond what most are willing to pay. Please look into this safety hazard!
The contact owns a 2015 scion tc. The contact stated that while parked and seated in the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal sound like a shattered glass. The contact exited the vehicle and became aware that the center sun roof glass had shattered. The contact stated that the sun roof had shattered without impact or incidence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000
The contact owns a 2005 scion xa. While driving approximately 60 mph, the entire sun roof exploded including the glass frame. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000
Structure 97 Read
Stopped at a red light and was rear ended. Collision repair shop noted there was unibody/frame damage but was not totaled out. Now we cannot trade in vehicle because the damage is showing up on the carfax and nobody wants to touch it. We cannot get our insurance company or the repair shop to remove that info from the carfax because they supposedly fixed it. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place driving a vehicle around with frame damage
I want to report a defect with the hood of this vehicle. I was driving on the interstate and my hood lifted up and became detached from the vehicle, it literally flew off of the car. I didn't see where it went but fortunate neither myself nor other drivers were affected. I managed to pull over you a safety zone and have the vehicle towed. I thought that this was unique to this vehicle, but I saw other reports on this defect
Vehicle Speed Control 73 Read
I got into 2 accidents in 3 days while parking into or out of a parking space. The first accident 07/04/2020, my car was parked in a parking lot. I placed the car in reverse and suddenly it accelerated and the brakes failed to work. My vehicle only stopped after crashing into the car behind me. The second accident happen 7/7/2020 while pulling forward into a parking space, the car suddenly accelerated and brakes failed to work again. I crashed into a cement pole which stopped my vehicle. I couldn't figure out why these 2 dangerous accidents occurred? My vehicle was just repaired over a week bc the check engine light and traction control light came on. The mechanic said the problem was from a catalytic converter that was clogged, so he replaced it with a new oem part. The air conditioner was blowing hot also, so the mechanic replaced the air compressor in car at the same time. I wish to file a report based on the "sudden unintended acceleration" danger
I was pulling into a parking space, going slowly. All of a sudden, the car accelerated. It jumped the curb, took out a trash can, passed between 2 steel poles (meant to protect the building), took out a tree, hit the building, finally stopping at another tree. I was trying to brake the whole time but the car would not stop. I remember the entire incident. This unintended acceleration had happened 3-4 times previously but I was able to stop. After inspecting the car at the tow lot, my son and I could see that the frame was bent so I gave it to the tow lot for the cost of tow fees. Fortunately I was not injured beyond aches and pains. I kept thinking about what happened. Then I decided to check past performance and found that these vehicles do not have a good record. Wish I had never bought this crappy car
While braking car started to slid and suddenly accreted what seemed like full throttle. I managed to get the car in park while engine was revving and tired continued to spin. I had to turn switch off to stop car from lunging forward and tires spinning. All of this happened on a city street and I tried to turn left to get car off of main road
Unknown Or Other 53 Read
On April 22, 2022 the car burst into flames while parked in a supermarket parking lot at 1000 US Route 1, Edison, New Jersey. Fortunately I was not in it at the time but the car was a total loss. There were no warnings ahead of time
While driving on the interstate, all of a sudden, I hear a loud bang. This sound sounded like a tire blew or a gun shot. Then I see glass rolling down the back windshield. After inspecting, it was the sunroof/moonroof that exploded outwords as if there was some pressure from the heat built up.My brother was in the backseat, luckily the windshield was closed. He could have gotten seriously hurt from the glass debris falling onto him or into his eyes.After researching, this is a common situation for this model car, being the number 1 car reported for similar incidents
My issue is that I was never notified and I just so happened to look up out of curiosity and I’m upset that something bad could have possibly happened
Electrical System 50 Read
The contact owned a 2005 scion tc. When the contact entered the vehicle, she noticed a flickering light and smoke coming from the console. The contact stated that the console and roof of the vehicle were melted. The fire department was called and determined that there was an electrical fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not towed or taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,000
The arm where the windows go up and down on the driver side just caught on fire I was driveing down the street still smell smoke in my car I need some help please I paid 30000 for this car
Power Train 45 Read
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 caused a second vehicle to crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The driver sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries. In a separate incident, the passenger sustained head, neck, and shoulder injuries from when the vehicle abruptly reduced speed. A police report was not filed. The cause of the failures was not determined. Lake city toyota (12059 lake city way ne, seattle, wa) and the manufacturer were notified and provided case number: 1909103427). The failure mileage was 30,000
I had driven into a left turn lane to perform a left turn and had waited for the light to turn green. When the light turned green I stepped on the gas as usual and the car moved backwards instead of forwards. I immediately braked but still hit the car behind me that was also waiting to turn left. The car behind me had no visible damage but my rear bumper was pushed forwards just enough that my rear left passenger door cannot be opened
The contact's son owns a 2013 Toyota Scion FR-S. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a loud screeching sound located at the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the clutch release bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000
Unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Percentages are shares of all 1,877 Scion complaints.
Scion against the rest
| Measure | Where Scion sits | Out of |
|---|---|---|
| By complaint volume | #0 | 29 brands with 3,000+ complaints |
| By age at failure (later is better) | #0 | 29 brands |
| Complaints ending in a crash | 12.7% | across all 1,877 reports |
Ranking by volume says more about how many cars a brand sells than about how they hold up. Age at failure is the fairer of the two.
Compare Scion with the rest
Scion problems by model
8 Scion models have owner complaints on file. Pick one for its worst years, failing systems and what owners actually wrote.
Owners reported these. Find out if yours is one of them.
- Complaints matched to the exact production run, not just the model
- What the car is worth given what tends to fail on it
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF for the pre-purchase inspection
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Every figure here comes from complaints owners filed with NHTSA — 1,100,006 of them, covering 1,982 models built between 1981 and 2026.
A complaint is an unverified report: someone wrote down what happened to their car. It is not a confirmed defect and not a recall. What makes the volume useful is the pattern — when thousands of owners of the same build describe the same failure, that is a signal no marketing brochure will give you.
Two things we do that the source does not. First, we compute the age of the car at the moment of failure from the incident date and the model year. Second, we group complaints by the first 11 characters of the VIN — the production series — so a bad plant run does not disappear into a model-wide average.
Go deeper
Frequently asked questions
How reliable is Scion?
Owners have filed 1,877 complaints across 8 Scion models. On its own that number reflects how many Scion cars are on the road — compare the average age at failure (5.31 years) instead.
What breaks most often on a Scion?
The most reported system is Air Bags with 380 complaints.
Do Scion problems show up under warranty?
35.8% of Scion complaints describe something that happened in the first three years, while the factory warranty was likely still running.
Which Scion model has the most complaints?
See the model list above — each card shows its complaint count, and the model page breaks it down by year and by system.