2014 Scion Iq problems

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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.

2014 Scion Iq

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Common 2014 Scion Iq problems

The Scion IQ, produced by Toyota and sold in North America from 2012 to 2015, was an unconventional choice for those navigating urban landscapes.

One of the main issues that affected the Scion IQ was its continuously variable transmission (CVT), which was poorly calibrated.

Another challenge for the Scion IQ was its competition. With more spacious and affordable alternatives available in the market, the iQ struggled to attract and retain customers. The Fiat 500, for instance, generated more sales activity in its first ten months than the iQ did throughout its entire production run.

The Scion IQ's size was both a blessing and a curse. While it made the car nimble and easy to park, it also raised concerns about its stability and safety. Scion's Doug Murtha acknowledged this, stating, "Physics are physics, and they're nervous about driving a vehicle that size".

Reliability was another area where the Scion IQ faced challenges. While consumer reports and rating agencies had mixed opinions about the car's reliability, owners seemed generally satisfied with their compact city cars.

In summary, the Scion IQ faced several challenges during its production run, including a poorly calibrated CVT, outdated drum brakes, fierce competition, concerns about its size, and mixed opinions on its reliability. These factors contributed to the car's eventual discontinuation in 2015.

2014 Scion Iq engine

Is the Scion iQ a good car?

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.

Is the Scion a reliable car?

While the Scion brand may no longer be in production, it was a subsidiary of Toyota, a brand known for producing durable and reliable vehicles. This reliability has transferred well to the Scion xB, which boasts a generally solid track record of performance and minimal major issues.

2014 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:

  • Power train problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Service brakes problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2014 Scion Iq vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2014 Scion Iq complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2014 Scion Iq.

2018-08-18

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2018-08-16
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JTNJJXB01EJ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: ON AUG 16, 2018 @ 6:30 AM WHILE EXITING AT THE GARAGE IN MY APT HEADING TO WORK; I STARTED THE ENGINE OF MY CAR AND IT WAS OKEY. I STARTED TO DRIVE ON THE RAMP ON THE DRIVE WAY THE ENGINE STOPS. I REVERSED/ BACK UP AND STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN, WHILE ON THE RAMP AGAIN IT ACCELERATED AND NEVER STOP THOUGH BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CAR WON'T STOP; SO I DECIDED TO CRASHED MY CAR AT THE CAR PARK ON THE SIDE STREET, BEFORE I REACH TO THE TRAFFIC LANE AND MIGHT CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. I DAMAGED MY CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE AS WELL AS THE CAR I CRASHED ON/ THE BUMPER, HEADLIGHT & FENDER WERE VISIBLY DAMAGED.

Negative 2014 Scion Iq car reviews

  1. Miguel Olson 2024-10-08

    The comment by the editor that there are larger cars at the same price is hilarious. The whole idea about this car is being small. People like me want a tiny car to zip around. Only problem is that the car doesn't zip very much. And for a tiny car the fuel economy is not much better than my Mazda CX-5 SUV. The engine sounds like there are loose marbles inside at startup, and also makes other uninspiring noises from time to time. The brake pedal makes loud annoying clicking noise (normal noise, according to Toyota). It doesn't offer a lot of features for the money. The only good thing about it is the tiny size.

  2. Jonathon O'Hara 2024-01-28

    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 and there isn't much legroom, I found it to be a better fit for my needs. Although the backseats cannot be folded without removing the headrests, I still found it to be a more practical option. While the IQ claims to seat four, it's not very practical as there is no luggage room. Perhaps removing the backseats altogether would be a better option as they serve no real purpose.

  3. Miller Gottlieb 2024-01-27

    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.

Positive 2014 Scion Iq car reviews

  1. Boris Lynch 2025-10-26

    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!

  2. Arnulfo Krajcik 2025-10-25

    I've been in the market for one of these ever since I saw a dark purple one in a parking lot one day. I never knew the car existed, but I fell in love with these micro cars during my time overseas. They're pretty common in Japan, where I spent some time, and there's a big following for micro cars there. The iQ is a great car that does exactly what it's supposed to do. For starters, it has something like 12 airbags, including the first rear one behind the rear passengers, and the safety rating is among the highest. It can seat four in a pinch, and five actually if you're left with no choice and don't mind hearing the back seaters laugh and complain the whole time. The recommended seating is really 3+1, with the one being a small child if the driver's seat is set into a comfortable position. The front dash is cantilever with no glove box, but they put the glove box under the front passenger seat so the front passenger can slide up further if there's a third passenger. The front legroom is still good and safe with plenty of room for a passenger in the back. The front seat slid back to a comfortable position kind of prevents a full-size passenger behind, but it does have four seats, which is 2x more than the Smart Car. As for performance, I have zero complaints. This car wants to go 80-85 down the freeway if I'm not careful, and still has plenty of power. It really wants to go. In stop-and-go traffic, this car is peppy and will give you no trouble getting to speed. The CVT automatic transmission is awesome. The engine is a 1.3L and is probably too big in my honest opinion. 99 percent of the time I drive alone and without cargo, so they could have just given the US market the same 1.0L they use in Europe. That 1.0L gets 60mpg!!! If sold in the US market, a 1.0L would have made this the most popular car in the country.Since the MSRP was only around $16,000, it seems like Toyota knew that pricing it any higher would have hurt sales for the Corolla and Prius, which are both twice the price. Moving on to the car's features, the iQ has traction control and really quiet electronic power steering. The tires are wide, so you won't get tossed around on uneven roads. In terms of cargo space, the split rear seats fold down individually, and there's quite a bit of room. However, be advised that there is no room behind those seats when they're up. There is a hidden compartment back there to hide small items. I personally drive my car with both back seats down, and the floor space in the cargo area can hold a grocery cart full of groceries in one layer. You could easily fit two or three carts full, but they'd have to be stacked. I've even put medium-sized boxes back there, but large boxes have to go in the front passenger seat. Headroom and front seating are comfortable, and even though I've never sat in the back, it doesn't look too bad back there. The visibility all around out the windows is excellent. There are two cup holders in the back, one in the middle front, and one in each door. Moving on to accessories, the AC is quiet and blows cold, and the heat works just as well. My stereo is the base model, so I don't have navigation, but it works great, sounds awesome, and the hands-free controls on the steering wheel are nice. Even the base model stereo has the hands-free option for cell phones, and the mic is up near the speedo. The window motors are fast and strong, and the power mirrors are nice. There's only one airplane-style overhead omni-directional interior lamp, but there are accessory, MP3, and USB outlets. Finally, in terms of the exterior, the paint is good, and even though I live in Arizona where the sun beats cars up, the paint is holding up well (I have the silver color). The car has an aggressive look in the front with the swept-back headlights. Overall, this car is fun to drive, peppy, and has no trouble going up the freeway ramp. A lot of people love it.Don't worry about how you'll look driving this car, it's definitely not a Smart Car or any other micro car. The car has a sturdy and impressive appearance. I have had no problems with the Toyota Service Dept, they are honest and fair, and my Platinum Warranty has been trouble-free. Although the advertised 37mpg is rarely achieved, I still average about 35mpg. I try to drive at a reasonable speed and avoid racing around. Even on a recent trip to San Diego, I achieved the same mileage. The only downside is that the tire size is expensive at $150 each and there is no spare tire. Be cautious of other drivers who only use mirrors to change lanes, as they may not see you. I have had a few close calls with drivers changing lanes into me. To be safe, I use a dash cam everywhere I go.

  3. Sigrid Purdy 2025-10-24

    Hello! I'm a 37-year-old man who stands at 6'2

  4. Jadon Halvorson 2025-09-24

    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.

  5. Kim Pacocha 2025-09-09

    One car critic who lacked experience was overly critical, but it's important to remember that an SUV cannot be expected from a 120 inch long car. Despite this, the SCION IQ is a great car to drive. As someone who has owned BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches, and Japanese cars, I can say that the CVT transmission works perfectly and is smooth and quiet. It's worth noting that a CVT operates differently than a traditional transmission, so it's important to get acquainted with it before forming an opinion. The car's acceleration is more than adequate for freeway driving and passing, and in town, it's in its element. It accelerates quickly if necessary, but half throttle is all that's needed. Stopping is smooth and sure thanks to the front disc brakes. The radio is the only weak point, but it's a minor issue. The car is designed for urban environments and excels in this regard. Inside, it looks and feels like a much larger car. The backseat headrests can be loosened, and the seat backs fold down to provide ample cargo space. You can comfortably fit a 6-footer in the front passenger seat and another in the right back seat without touching knees, although the left back seat has less legroom. However, this isn't a big deal since the car isn't meant to carry four people, although it can easily do so. The mileage is likely to be lower than the government ratings of 36/37, but this is always the case. Mileage runs in the mid-30s depending on how much air is in the tires, but this shouldn't come as a surprise. You can achieve really high mileage, but it depends on how you drive the car. The car looks fantastic, and people often remark on it. The stock wheels are sporty alloys that add to the car's appeal. Overall, I'm really pleased with the car. UPDATE 9/2/2019: The car runs better than ever, and Toyota maintenance costs are low since they rarely need any work. Despite owning a 911 4S and a Raptor, I really enjoy driving the Scion because it's fun!I recently updated my car with a fog light kit, a pair of Hella alpine horns (which are quite loud!), and interior lighting in the back hatch and foot wells. I also replaced the interior convenience spotlight with a bright LED, making the inside of the car light up at night! Unfortunately, my car was stolen, but the police were able to recover it a month later. As a result, I had to get a new paint job and repairs to the body damage. To prevent future thefts, I am updating the lock electronics to require a chip in the key to start the car. While researching reviews of the SCION, I found that there was only one negative review, which unfortunately damaged the car's reputation. It's a shame that we can't write reviews of reviewers who are ignorant and arrogant, and only want expensive and exotic cars. It would be helpful if review sites provided a reader feedback rating so that publications could learn how their writers are received by their readers.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2014 Scion Iq problems:

Is the iq a reliable car? | Scion IQ Forums
Is the iq a reliable car? | Scion IQ Forums
https://www.iq-forums.com/threads/is-the-iq-a-reliable-car.38032/

Sep 15, 2018 ... ... scion/iq/reliability. Rostra makes an ... I bought my 2013 iQ in Feb of 2014 ... They have problems with oil consumption and the white ones have ...

2014 Scion iQ Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2014 Scion iQ Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/scion/iq/2014/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2014 Scion iQ? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

How long can Scion IQ last? | Scion IQ Forums
How long can Scion IQ last? | Scion IQ Forums
https://www.iq-forums.com/threads/how-long-can-scion-iq-last.9041/

Aug 4, 2014 ... I've been to 18 countries in the US Air Force and one common ... Never any problems with the engine ir transmission. ... Photos of the Scion iQ ...

Thoughts on buying a Scion iQ with 90k for 6k as a daily driver on ...
Thoughts on buying a Scion iQ with 90k for 6k as a daily driver on ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/comments/da5lty/thoughts_on_buying_a_scion_iq_with_90k_for_6k_as/

Sep 27, 2019 ... Had it since 2014 and had no issues except the doors wont auto lock Have to so it manually :( got 135k miles on it and has been from coast ...

2014 Scion iQ Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
2014 Scion iQ Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
https://repairpal.com/cars/scion/iq/2014

Get 2014 Scion iQ repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Scion mechanics near you.

Other years of Scion Iq

scion iq 2015 photo
Iq 2015
Scion

1

0

37

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
scion iq 2012 photo
Iq 2012
Scion

17

1

26

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
scion iq 2013 photo
Iq 2013
Scion

5

1

32

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
scion iq 2014 photo
Iq 2014
Scion

1

0

35

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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