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Scion iA VIN Check

NHTSA holds 22 owner complaints on the Scion iA from 10 production runs; the worst run has 4, the typical one 2.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 22 complaints · 10 runs · 2016–2016 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported iA run is 3MYDLBZV7GY (2016 builds) with 4 complaints, 1.8× the typical run. Engine problems make up 23% of reports.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Scion iA has 10 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 73% of every iA complaint on file.

FIG.01·Scion iA — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
3MYDLBZV7GY••••••201642—
3MYDLBZVXGY••••••20164——
3MYDLBZV8GY••••••201631—
3MYDLBZV1GY••••••20163——
3MYDLBZV2GY••••••20162——
3MYDLBZV0GY••••••201621—
3MYDLBYVXGY••••••20161——
3MYDLBV3GY1••••••201611—
3MYDLBZV3GY••••••201611—
3MYDLBZV4GY••••••20161——
ROWS 10·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.

FIG.02·Scion iA — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20162.222106
ROWS 1·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2016 at 2.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2016 at 2.2.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 23% of everything Scion iA owners report: Engine, 8 of 22 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Scion iA — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Engine81—
Electrical System7——
Air Bags64—
Power Train51—
Unknown Or Other31—
Service Brakes3——
Vehicle Speed Control21—
Wheels1——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 22 reports on the Scion iA, 27.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Scion iA — complaint severity
OutcomeScion iAAll vehicles
Complaints filed221,115,966
Involved a crash6 (27.3%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire0 (0%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported558,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 371% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Scion iA share of that is 22 complaints over 10 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Scion iA
Recalls1 campaignsFuel economy36 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems23 complaintsCargo space13 cu ftWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2016–2016

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Scion iA VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 22 NHTSA complaints from 10 iA runs and 0 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which iA production run has the most complaints?

3MYDLBZV7GY, a 2016 build, with 4 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical iA run has 2.2.

How many iA complaints involve a crash?

27.3% of 22 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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