This page covers 2 recalls, 17 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Scion Iq.
37 mpg combined
6.4 L/100km
Minicompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Complaints for the 2012 Scion iQ spread across a handful of systems, with structure and airbags drawing the most reports. On the structural side, owners describe paint peeling and exposed metal rusting, suggesting a surface finish issue that progresses over time. Airbag complaints center on non-deployment during front-end collisions, owners report crashing at moderate speeds and the airbags not firing. A couple of engine complaints describe excessive oil consumption, black smoke from the exhaust, and eventual engine failure, typically discovered during routine service. One report describes the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly in reverse and brakes failing to stop it before striking another car, though that pattern does not repeat across multiple complaints. With only 17 total complaints on file, the non-deployment and oil consumption threads are the ones that appear more than once.
17
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Scion iQ has 2 recalls, both centering on the same issue: a wiring cable for the passenger seat sensor that can be damaged by normal seat adjustment, potentially disabling front passenger airbags or causing them to deploy incorrectly in a crash.
When the front passenger seat is slid forward or backward, the cable connecting the passenger seat sensor can wear and break. If that happens, the airbag warning light may come on, and the front passenger airbags may not deploy when needed or may deploy in a way that does not account for the occupant's size and position.
At a glance
What can fail
The cable for the Occupant Classification System may be damaged when the passenger seat slides forward or backward.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protective cover on the Occupant Classification System weight sensor cable.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring for the passenger seat occupant detection system can get damaged when you slide the front passenger seat back and forth. This damage may disable some front passenger airbags and cause the system to misidentify the passenger type, leading to incorrect airbag and seat belt tensioner activation during a crash.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
