The 2012 draws 2.14 complaints per run and the 2013 1.25, a 1.7-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age, so 72.7% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Structure, with 7 complaints, typically at 5.3 years.
Scion iQ years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 | 4 | yes | |
| 2012 | 15 | 7 | yes |
Among the 2 Scion iQ years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2012, 2013; the three worth hunting are 2013, 2012.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 9.1% | covered | |
| 1 year | 22.7% | covered | |
| 2 years | 27.3% | covered | |
| 3 years | 40.9% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 50% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 54.5% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 63.6% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 81.8% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 86.4% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 90.9% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 27.3% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 72.7% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 36% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Scion iQ, the early trouble is Steering and Power Train — reported at around 1 year, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Structure at 5.3 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 5.3 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Engine | 4.7 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags | 4.3 yrs | 5 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 4.3 yrs | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7.7 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Steering | 1 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts | 11 yrs | — | — | |
| Power Train | 4 yrs | 1 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the iQ's vehicle class.
| Same class as the iQ | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 287 | 1981–2026 | |
| Mini Cooper | 33 | 2002–2010 | |
| Toyota 86 | 5 | 2017–2020 | |
| Toyota GR86 | 4 | 2022–2026 | |
| Subaru BRZ | 13 | 2013–2026 | |
| Fiat 500 | 33 | 2012–2019 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Scion iQ reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.69 against 3.73 for the average car.
When do iQ problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age. The most reported system is Structure, typically at 5.3 years, followed by Engine.
Will the warranty cover iQ problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 27.3% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 36% of the complaints here.
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