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.
Social links
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
-
I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with my Scion iQ, which I picked up just 3 weeks ago and I absolutely love it! I paid $17K, including taxes and fees, which might seem expensive to some, but I think of it as buying a premium little car with Toyota reliability and Scion style. The passenger seat can be pushed forward to accommodate a 3rd adult passenger in the back seat, but it is essentially a comfortable 2 seater. The cargo volume is significantly increased with the 50/50 split rear seats down. The exterior is stylish and striking, and thanks to my Hot Lava paint job, I'm turning heads! This is the most fun I have ever had owning a vehicle. If you're looking for a fun, fuel-efficient, reliable, stylish, premium 2 seater, then the iQ is definitely for you! Let me know if you have any questions or if you want to chat more about it.
-
If you are considering purchasing a 2012 Scion IQ up to 2013 JTNJJXB0#DJ025093, it is important to note that some of these vehicles were built with defective pistons. To avoid any unexpected expenses, we recommend ensuring that the seller can prove that the necessary repairs have been made. Toyota did issue a service bulletin S-SB-0032-13 regarding this issue, and while they did not recall the affected vehicles, they did offer a 'good will' gesture of $1900 towards the repair. Although I had some difficulty using this gesture towards purchasing the parts myself, I was ultimately able to have Toyota replace the pistons and they did cover the $1900. Since the repair, my car has been running smoothly and getting great gas mileage. While I did have some frustrations with the process, I still enjoy my Scion IQ. If you have any concerns or questions about this issue, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.I drive 100 miles a day in the Dallas Metroplex. I have a sign on my car that says 'Beware of Toyotas with Defective Pistons.' Many people have seen it and some have even asked me about it. I have all the paperwork and a nice picture of the car with the sign in front of the new Toyota headquarters building. You can see the picture on my Facebook page. Although I still like the car, I will not be buying any more Toyotas because of the way I was treated. However, I am happy to report that my car is running fine after replacing the pistons at an out-of-pocket cost of about $2.5K. No other problems. Thank you for your interest.
-
I got a great deal on my 2012 car with only 13,000 miles for $7700.00. It has been three years since I bought it and I have not had any problems with it, which is important since I live in a rural area where getting serviced would be difficult. Although it is best suited for urban settings, I have taken it on a couple of trips that were over 1700 miles one way and it performed perfectly fine. I find it annoying when professional reviews make idiotic comparisons, such as saying it is not as quiet or fast as other cars, or that it doesn't have as much storage space. I bought a hitch and a 5X8 trailer and have hauled hundreds of pounds worth of furniture through mountainous regions of Arizona without any problems. We looked at numerous small cars before selecting the IQ, including the Honda Fit, Mini, and Nissan Versa. One readily discernible difference was the quality of the material in the interior - the IQ was far superior and did not feel cheap like the others. Another design feature I really like is the simplicity of the controls. I can readily adjust the heat without looking at it. The touch screens with constant smudged surfaces are a hassle. The quality of the audio is also fine. When it comes to driving, the turning radius is amazing and brought the biggest possible smile to our faces during the test drive. We stopped in a parking lot, cranked the wheel all the way and spun it around. It really has to be experienced to be believed. When it came time to change tires, we followed the recommendation of Tire Rack and dropped down to 14 inch tires, which made the radius even shorter without adversely affecting anything. It also saves you a fair amount of money and gives you a much greater selection of tires.You can save a couple of hundred dollars by not getting the tire sensors if you choose. Just keep a tire gauge with you. Additionally, I have owned over 40 cars, including numerous Mustangs from the 60s, and this IQ has garnered more comments and questions than all my other cars combined. My only regret is that Toyota did not stay the course with Scion. I wish they had come out with a convertible and a 6-speed, and then perhaps a turbo. It could have been a real Mini fighter, but, alas, they did not. In conclusion, I am very happy with my IQ, and if you are reasonable in your expectations given the design of the car, and bear in mind that everything is some sort of a compromise, I think you will be too.
-
I stumbled upon this model at the dealership - it had low mileage and was reasonably priced. I've been thoroughly enjoying my driving experience with no issues so far. It's easy to get around and gets an impressive 38-40 mpg. I absolutely love my car! It's been three years and 80,000 miles and I still haven't had any problems. I've only had to do regular oil changes and replace the tires at 60,000 miles. Even at 132,000 miles in August 2021, it's still running great. I had to replace the serpentine belt at 110,000 miles and just recently did the brakes, but overall, I'm still in love with it!
-
These cars are really strong. My kid was hit by a Chevy Colbalt at 35 MPH and it held up great. The Chevy looked like it hit a pole, but the IQ only had minor damage to the right front. I would totally recommend this car.
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.