2013 Scion Iq problems
The Toyota iQ is a city car manufactured by Toyota and marketed in a single generation for Japan (2008–2016); Europe (2008–2015); and North America (2012–2015), where it was marketed as the Scion iQ. A rebadged variant was marketed in Europe as the Aston Martin Cygnet (2009–2013).
Designed at the Toyota European Design and Development studio in Nice, France, the iQ is noted for its specialized engineering to maximize passenger space and minimize length. The design accommodates four occupants, although one of the seats has very little legroom and is not suitable for adults.
Following a concept presented at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the production iQ debuted at the March 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Japanese sales began in November 2008 and European sales in January 2009. In 2008, the iQ was named the Japanese Car of the Year.
The name iQ, an initialism of the term intelligence quotient, recalls a competitor, the Smart Fortwo. The letters "iQ" also stand for "individuality", "innovation", "quality", a hint at its "cubic form" and also a "cue" for owners to embrace new types of vehicles and lifestyles.
The iQ reached the end of production in December 2015, and it was discontinued in Japan in April 2016.
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Common 2013 Scion Iq problems
The Scion iQ, introduced in 2013, faced several common problems that significantly impacted its popularity and sales. While the car was designed to be a compact and efficient urban vehicle, these issues negatively affected its overall performance and reliability.
- Recalls: The 2013 Scion iQ had recalls related to its airbag system. The cable for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) could become damaged when sliding the passenger seat forward or backward, potentially leading to inactive airbags. Toyota issued a recall to install protective covers on the OCS weight sensor cable to address this issue.
- Engine and Emission System Issues: Some 2012-2013 iQ vehicles may exhibit rough idle conditions, idle speed drops, or malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination with specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). These issues could be related to engine performance or the emission system, requiring diagnosis and repair.
- Oil Consumption: A common problem reported by Scion iQ owners is excessive oil consumption. Some owners reported adding oil almost every week, which could indicate engine wear or issues with oil seals or gaskets.
- Visibility: Certain service publications and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) reference specifically required adhesives and sealants for the Scion iQ. These alerts highlight the importance of using the correct materials for repairs and maintenance, ensuring the vehicle's safety and longevity.
- Seat Covers: Scion does not recommend replacing original seat covers with non-Scion leather or other seat cover materials on vehicles equipped with side airbags. This recommendation is due to potential interference with the side airbags' deployment, which could compromise the vehicle's safety features.
These common problems, combined with the iQ's less-than-stellar sales performance, led to the discontinuation of the Scion brand and the iQ model. Despite its compact size and unique design, the Scion iQ faced significant challenges in the competitive automotive market.
Is a 2013 Scion iQ reliable?
If you live in big city with very little parking space, the iQ is worth its weight in gold. Its Toyota pedigree ensures its reliability as well as serviceability just about anywhere in the country, a bonus that Mini, Fiat or Smart can't promise.
Are Scion iQ good cars?
Slow, noisy, and uncomfortable, the iQ's few positives include exceptionally easy parking, and its very good 34-mpg overall fuel economy. The extremely tiny rear seats won't make anyone riding in the second row happy, and the numb and overly quick steering makes the iQ less-than-enjoyable to drive.
Why did they stop making Scion iQ?
The main issues which had a negative impact on the iQ included its size, its more spacious competition, its more spacious and more affordable competition, and perhaps even the logo above its front grille. “Physics are physics,” Scion's Doug Murtha said, “and they're nervous about driving a vehicle that size.”
Is Toyota iQ reliable?
Toyota has an excellent reputation for reliability, though there are a few things to look out for with the IQ. The first concerns the gearbox, which can be hard to change gear, especially between second and third gear. If on your test drive it's hard to change gear, we'd recommend looking elsewhere.
2013 Scion Iq car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Scion Iq problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Steering problems
- Air bags problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2013 Scion Iq vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2013 Scion Iq complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Scion Iq.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-10-23
- VIN: JTNJJXB03DJ
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: ROUGH IDLE AND ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS AT TOYOTA DEALER AND DIAGNOSTIC HAS BEEN PERFORMED. DEALER HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE INTERNAL CARBON DEPOSIT IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS. TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR IN THEIR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ZG8 BECAUSE MY VIN WASN'T PART OF THE ORIGINAL CREATION FOR THE PROGRAM ZG8. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY ENGINE IS UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 41063 MILES ON THE ENGINE AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME THE 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES NEW VEHILE LIMITED WARRANTY HAS PASSED THE 5 YEAR MARK. THE TOYOTA MECHANICS WILL BE FOLLOWING THE TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN: 0008-16 IN MAKING THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY VIN IN THEIR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. I'M FORCED TO PAY $1761.75 OUT OF MY POCKET FOR THEIR ENGINE FLAW. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA, THE WHOLE REASON I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WAS BECAUSE I BELIEVED TOYOTA CARED ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THAT THEY MADE A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE, APPARENTLY I'VE BEEN MISLED BY TOYOTA.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-09-01
- VIN: JF1ZNAA15D2
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION IQ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN 2016 BY ADVANTAGE TOYOTA OF RIVER OAKS (1970 RIVER OAKS DR, CALUMET CITY, IL 60409, (708) 862-0700). THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL. AFTER THREE WEEKS, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE VALVE SPRINGS PER THE RECALL. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE ENGINE AND FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING. THE DEALER PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE AND KEPT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER WEEK. THE DEALER OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE SHOOK AND WAS LOUD, AND THE RPMS REVVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHECK THE VEHICLE ONE MORE TIME AND THEN CHARGE HER FOR ANY FUTURE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-03-31
- VIN: JF1ZNAA15D2
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: RECALLED FOR POSSIBILITY OF A VALVE SPRING BREAKING POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP WORKING WHILE UNDER DRIVING CONDITIONS. RECALL NOTICE INDICATED THAT THE TIME FOR REPAIRS WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 DAYS AND THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT VALDOSTA TOYOTA WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TIO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3-31-19 AND DROPPED OFF. IT WAS FINALLY FINISHED AND PICKED UP ON 4-20-19. THE REASONS THAT WE WERE GIVEN BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR IT TAKING SO LONG FOR THE REPAIRS WAS THAT THE TECHNICIAN DOING THE REPAIRS WAS CONTINUALLY NOT AT WORK. WITHIN A DAY AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CLICKING SOUND WAS NOT RELATED TO THEIR REPAIRS MADE UNDER THE RECALL, RATHER IT WAS BECAUSE THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WOULD COST US $1940+ FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. 5 DAYS AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER THE ENGINE CONPLETELY QUIT AS THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO TURN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN.. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT APPEARED THE PROBLEM WAS THE FLY WHEEL, NOT RELATED TO THEIR REPAIR. THERE NEVER HAD BEEN ANY PROBLEM WITH THE PERFORMACE OF THIS VEHICLE AND ITS' ENGINE BEFORE VALDOSTA TOYOTA TOOK THE ENGINE APART TO MAKE THE RECALL REPAIRS. WE HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT A NUMBER OF OTHER CARS ARE IN FOR NORMAL REPAIRS AND THAT THEY WILL GET TO OUR CAR WHENEVER THEY CAN. WE ARE CERTAIN THAT VALDOSTA TOYOTA EITHER DID NOT PROPERLY REPAIR THE ENGINE DURING THE RECALL REPAIRS OR THAT THEY DID FURTHER DAMAGE TO IT WHILE THEY WERE DOING THE REPAIRS.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-10-21
- VIN: JTNJJXB04DJ
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, STARTING AT 86K MILES. USING 7 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES, WITH A STARTING CAPACITY OF 3.8 QUARTS. THIS MEANS I'M DOING 2 COMPLETE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3K MILES. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THAT CAR TO USE SO MUCH OIL. OIL LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH MY LAST OIL CHANGE (1700 MILES) CHECK THE DIP STICK AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY.
STEERING,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-06
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTNJJXB00DJ
- Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
- Summary: (SEE SEATTLE POLICE) INC.# [XXX]) I WAS CROSSING DEXTER AVE. N. TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT CROCKETT ST. IMMEDIATELY I STRUCK A FORD EXPLORER GOING N/B ON DEXTER WHICH HAD JUST PULLED FROM THE CURB ABOUT 100' AWAY. MY CAR SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS DECLARED A TOTAL WRECK. THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE EXPLORER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN DAMAGE WHICH WAS REPAIRED. I SUSTAINED FOUR BROKEN RIBS AND CHEST INJURIES (HOSPITAL COSTS $18K+. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, I PURCHASED THE SMALL CAR PRIMARILY BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT HAD 11 AIR BAGS AND WOULD BE SAFE IN AN ACCIDENT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT. MY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I THINK THE CAR WAS POORLY BUILT AND I WAS MISINFORMED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. IN MY ESTIMATION THE WHO VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT TRAVELED A COMBINED DISTANCE OF ONLY 100-150 FEET BEFORE IMPACT. TOYOTA HAS SENT ME A COPY OF THE DATA DOWNLOAD FROM THE IQ, BUT, NOT BEING AN ENGINEER, I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. *TR
2013 Scion Iq recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2013 Scion Iq.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2013 Scion Iq car reviews
Positive 2013 Scion Iq car reviews
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UPDATE 12 FEB 2018 -- Hi there! Just wanted to share that I sold my iQ and I really miss it. However, I did end up buying a pre-owned Toyota Yaris for more backseat and cargo room. The Yaris is great, but it's not as refined as the iQ was. On the bright side, the cost of ownership and tires for a Yaris is less. // OLD iQ REVIEW: I bought a pre-owned base model in a lovely silver color. Even though it was a base model, it still came nicely equipped with stability and traction control, power windows and door locks, great AC, a fantastic stereo with speakers, 1 USB, 1 AUX, and 1 power port. My base model has hubcaps, but I actually prefer the way they look over the alloy wheels I've seen on other IQ's. There are pros and cons about this car, so let me start with the pros: It is one of the safest cars on the road, with 11 airbags, and it drives and handles great. The steering is quick and precise, and it can turn around in a very small space, making it easy to drive in traffic or parking lots. I don't have any trouble getting up to speed on highway on-ramps or passing vehicles when I need to. The engine is a 1.3L, which is plenty big. I'm not going to knock other cars in this class because I haven't driven them, but one car that's in the same class, but only has two seats, is sporting an engine almost half the size of the IQ, basically motorcycle size, and I don't think that's a viable option for a long-term vehicle. The 1.3L engine size has been commonly used around the world and has no issues. In fact, I actually belong to a Ford Festiva club in my area, and those were made with 1.3L engines back in the 80s and 90s that were less refined than the Toyota IQ engine. Anyone that knows about Festivas knows that they are one of the best basic utility cars ever made, and many are still on the road today running like champs (including mine); some with 300k plus on the odometer. The Scion IQ doesn't fall short in performance in my opinion. You won't be winning any races up the freeway ramp against bigger engine sports cars, but it performs very well and will get you to proper speed...Don't worry, nobody is going to blow your doors off. This car can make other drivers sweat while they try to pass you. On the highway, it doesn't want to cruise at 55mph... it wants to go 85mph smooth and quiet, so watch your speed! It has plenty of juice. The automatic CVT transmission performs great, revs low, is easy to use, and has a power option for climbing steep roads. In town, it also drives great and gets a lot of attention. They are not that common, and people tend to gather around them when parked. The interior is designed cool, and controls are easy to use. The computer readout on the left side of the dash can give the driver all sorts of data, including average mileage, a couple of trip odometers, eco on, clock, etc. Gas mileage for me has been better than the advertised 37 hwy and 37 city. I reset my trip odometer at every fill up and calculate my mileage mostly for fun, and in many cases, I get a little over 40mpg, which is a mix of city and city freeway. The CVT mentioned earlier is what makes this car perform so well. The one time I got less than 37mpg was a road trip to San Diego in which I drove a steady 75-80mph, steep hills, ac on, and averaged about 33mpg... still not bad! Cargo room is okay considering the size and length of this car. I mostly drive alone in it and just keep the backseats folded down to pick up packages, groceries, etc. The backseats are divided so you can fold one down if you have cargo and a back seat passenger. The car is really made for 3 adults and one small child or cargo. The front dash on the interior is offset to allow the front passenger to sit forward a little more if needed so an adult can ride in back. I have seen video reviews of 4 adults in the car, and actually, you could get a total of 5 in the car, but it's really a 3+1 car to be comfortable. Still, it's one of the smallest and best-made (Toyota) 4-seat cars in the world. ---- Cons: I really have no complaints, but here are a few cons to consider.The cargo space is limited if you need to transport large items other than mail packages and groceries. Although it doesn't come with a spare tire, it does have an electric air pump that plugs into the dash and slime to pump into the tire. I have not personally used this feature, but I did assist a lady in a new model Hyundai who had a flat tire and it worked perfectly, allowing her to seek out a tire repair or purchase. However, I would prefer to have a spare tire. The tires are wide and perform very well, but they are an odd size (P175/60R16) that only a few manufacturers make (Goodyear is the recommended tire). At the time of writing, the cost is approximately $153 each. Lastly, it's important to note that some drivers on the road who only use mirrors to change lanes might not see you due to the car's length. Overall, I absolutely love this car and I'm glad I purchased it. The Toyota quality also gives me confidence in its reliability. So far, I've only had one routine maintenance service at the Toyota dealer, and it was both fast and affordable.
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This car is excellent for travel for two adults, and it's surprisingly comfortable and roomy. I love traveling with my pitbull and my husband in it. While it may not have a supercharged takeoff like a V6, it has some surprising get-up-and-go if you need to hit the freeway quickly. Climbing is average for what you'd expect, but flying over 80 is a breeze! Maneuvering in between larger vehicles and getting through traffic is easy. I made it to Laughlin from Surprise AZ and back on just $12. Don't be fooled, this little car is great if you're not looking for all the bells and whistles. I would describe it as a roll cage with airbags. It has never failed me yet. The only downside is that it doesn't come with a spare tire, only a patch kit. That's why I purchased Run Flat tires, which allow me up to 50 miles to the nearest place with a nail in my tire... unless I get a blowout from the side. It's worth every penny. When the price of gas keeps going up and down, it costs me a maximum of $14 to fill up! Of course, it's going to have a small gas tank, but with the size of the car, it's expected. It's built lightweight, so you feel the road a little more when driving this car, and the steering is touchy, but easy to get used to. I'm very happy with this car, and passing the smog inspection was effortless! I even took my 8-year-old grandson to Disneyland in this car with my husband.
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We drove this car from NJ to Oregon and it only cost $344!! This car is perfect for getting around town, going food shopping, catching a movie, and commuting to work. We only need to put about $20 worth of gas in it every 2 weeks! It handled the cross country trip really well and has just enough space for us and our little dog. I absolutely love this little car! The turning radius is great and if I had the money, I'd have it painted to look like a rollerskate! We call it the superskate and it always makes me smile. The only issue we have is that the clock is not visible to both people in the car.
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"I can't stop smiling since I've had it" was my response when a lady who practically ran across the parking lot asked how I liked it.I've had others taking pictures of it on their phones, people missing their "green light" at intersections because they were staring at it, another fella in a cammed up Corvette laugh with me when I motioned that I'd race him off the light.I never would have thought that this little commuter car would be such a blast to drive.It's smooth, quiet, roomy, solid and quick off the light.I drive alone, so I folded the back seats down, bought the cargo carpet and use it as a hatchback.
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At 5'11, I have plenty of head and leg room in this car, which is important since I work out of it. It gets an impressive 37 mpg in both city and highway driving, making it a great choice for anyone looking to save on gas. The car turns on a dime, making it easy to navigate even the tightest spots. Unlike my previous Mini, this car has no blindspots, providing me with a phenomenal view in all directions. I also appreciate the lifetime plan that includes free oil changes and regular maintenance, as well as roadside assistance. Additionally, the car comes with a 3 year/36k warranty. There's even a convenient pull-out drawer under the passenger seat for my laptop. The power windows go completely down with just one touch, and I can easily control the radio from my steering wheel. The Bluetooth is also clear and easy to use, and my iPod sounds great through the car's speakers.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2013 Scion Iq problems:
Is the iq a reliable car? | Scion IQ Forums
Sep 15, 2018 ... They have problems with oil consumption and the white ones have peeling paint issues. ... 2013 Scion iQ (commuter car) 2017 Toyota ... 2013 Scion iQ ...
2013 Scion iQ Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2013 Scion iQ? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Scion iQ Problems: 2012 Model, Engine Issues & Manual ...
May 31, 2021 ... Have a 2012 Scion IQ and have been told they have engine issues. Are the later years better engine realiabity wise? - Answered by a verified ...
How long can Scion IQ last? | Scion IQ Forums
Aug 4, 2014 ... ... common older vehicle ... Never any problems with the engine ir transmission. ... FS--2013 Scion IQ $10,500 I am posting up my 2013 Scion IQ for sale ...
Scion IQ oil burning problem : r/MechanicAdvice
Aug 27, 2023 ... Completely redesigned pistons and rings appeared in 2013 and those are what you should use for a rebuild: no more issues. That's for the good ...
Other years of Scion Iq
Are you having problems with your 2013 Scion Iq?
Collin Ratke 2024-10-20
I found the editor's comment about larger cars at the same price quite amusing. After all, the whole point of this car is its small size, which is perfect for people like me who want a zippy little car to get around in. However, I have noticed that it doesn't quite have the zip I was hoping for, and the fuel economy isn't much better than my Mazda CX-5 SUV. At startup, the engine sounds like there are loose marbles inside, and it can make other uninspiring noises from time to time. Additionally, the brake pedal makes a loud, annoying clicking noise (although Toyota assures me that this is normal). While it may not offer a lot of features for the money, the tiny size is definitely a plus point.
Judson Kuvalis 2024-09-06
I bought this IQ with the expectation of great MPG, but unfortunately, I only averaged about 27mph. After doing some research on Google, I found that others had the same issue. It's disappointing that a tiny car like this can't achieve better fuel efficiency. I ended up returning the car with only 100 miles on it and was quite frustrated. Instead, I opted for a Prius C. While the back seats do touch the front seats, which can be a bit uncomfortable, I appreciate the extra space it provides. It's worth noting that you need to remove the headrests to fold the back seats, but overall, it's a functional feature. Although the IQ's back seats don't offer much storage space, I understand that they're there to accommodate up to four passengers. Perhaps it would be better to remove them entirely if they're not useful.
Lucio Pfeffer 2024-04-27
For a small car, it may not have the zip or exceptional fuel economy that you would expect. Additionally, it does not have rear disc brakes or any fancy features to justify its 'premium' compact branding. The engine can make a terrible noise and sound like it has valve problems, but it usually quiets down when warmed up, which may give some doubt to its long-term reliability. The steering wheel can make scraping sounds, and the brake pedal can make loud and annoying clicking sounds. However, it is important to note that Toyota technology and quality are not present in this car.