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2016 Scion Ia problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Scion Ia is engine and cooling, typically around 40,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Ia model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
23
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
117
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2016 Scion Ia problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    8
  • Electrical
    7
  • Airbags
    6
  • Transmission
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Body
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Scion Ia

Check engine light 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Scion Ia 117

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 117 bulletins for the 2016 Scion Ia

What 2016 Scion Ia owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 28, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · OH

Very poorly wired and wires are spliced together which I a fire hazard

Filed Jan 14, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Was getting off work. Started car and Engine system malfunction light, DSC malfunction light, TPMS System Malfunction light, Auto transmission malfunction light, and SCBS malfunction light all turned on. Car was not currently in motion when lights went on. Was in parking lot. Turned car off, and restarted, lights remained on. Drove vehicle 6.8 miles home, car was in limp mode. When at home used OBD2 scan tool and got codes P0847 C1031 U0401 B13D3 Cleared codes and unplugged 12 volt battery to reset system. Only engine system malfunction light remained. Parked car overnight and went to dealership next morning. Car drove on highway and car seemed fine. Dealership scan car and received code P0847, tech cleared code and test drove car. Problem can not be reproduced.

Filed Sep 10, 2020 · Airbags · NV · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 scion ia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, they crashed into a wild horse. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed and a police report was filed. The contact sustained no injuries and no medical attention was needed. The contact had not contacted the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact had not heard from them as of yet. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 28, 2020 · Electrical · SC

My car has under 60,000 miles, I bought it with about 28,000 on it and it has had intermittent issues with the display. I went to dealership, who said the whole infotainment system needs replaced, which is about $1200 with parts and labor. It has been doing this with less than 30,000 miles on the car and has gotten worse. It causes the display to go in and out, which happens also with the backup camera.

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Engine · 126,000 miles · VA

The vehicle will intermittently shut itself off in the road for no apparent reason. The check engine light and battery light will display on the dash. However, when I put the car back in park and restart the engine there are no indicator lights on and no check engine light whatsoever. This car has been looked at by 3 certified toyota dealers and none of the mechanics can accurately pinpoint the issue. I am concerned this car will shut itself down in the middle of the highway and cause a collision. Worst experience with a car I've ever had. Surprisingly newer model vehicle and this difficult to diagnose. The car mainly sputters and stalls at idle or low speeds. We have tried numerous times to get an accurate diagnoses. Nothing left to do at this point except replace the car. I feels it is a danger to myself and others on the road.

Filed Feb 27, 2020 · Airbags · 48,000 miles · WA · crash

I was driving on the freeway and the car in front of me slammed on his brakes and I slammed on mine and then the car behind me hit me and I hit the carin front of me. My airbags didn't deploy when hit from behind and then I hit car in front of me . My car is totaled. Please file complaint and get back to me

Filed Dec 22, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · 91,000 miles · SC

Transmission whine after used car purchase with 91k miles. Took it to toyota of greenville for diagnostic. Needed a new transmission. Took the car back to ralph hayes toyota of anderson whew I purchased and they replaced the transmission. Since then there has been a transmission grinding and severe vibration while in drive or reverse. I called toyota customer service and asked for a buy back. They declined. I also complained about the dealership and their lack of caring and understanding. Toyota corporate does not care. Dealership keeps saying this vibration and behavior is normal for this car. It is dangerous now because it stalls out intermittently when placed in drive or reverse. When it does go it launches forward. Also the vibration is so severe it will shake the teeth in my mouth. I have video on my phone of the transmission also hanging up in gear and the dealership and toyota corporate did not seem to care I had proof the new transmission is faulty. Also, the infotainment system keeps crashing and was quoted almost $2,000 to fix it. They acknowledge that's a common problem but refuse to offer any assistance to fix it. On top of it all the brakes are horrible and they have been replaced and still are loud and act like they don't want to stop. Wet conditions also make braking more difficult. I would also like to say the passenger seat is sensitive to weight and the airbag light will turn to on and the seat belt will chime even when no one is in the seat. My cell phone can be sitting in the seat and it makes it chime and the passenger airbag active.

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · WA · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 scion ia. On two separate occasions, while driving, the transmission erroneously downshifted and caused the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. During the failure, a loud grinding metal noise was present under the vehicle and an unknown warning indicator displayed. On one occasion, while driving, the failure occurred and caused a second vehicle to crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The driver sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries. In a separate incident, the passenger sustained head, neck, and shoulder injuries from when the vehicle abruptly reduced speed. A police report was not filed. The cause of the failures was not determined. Lake city toyota (12059 lake city way ne, seattle, wa) and the manufacturer were notified and provided case number: 1909103427). The failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed May 18, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 25,000 miles · WA

Car truck pops open randomle wile driving!

Filed Mar 22, 2019 · Engine · 29,000 miles · TX

When at a stop the engine starts to shake like it's about to turn off we bought it with 29000 miles noticed it a week after we bought it and it has done it a few times the toyota dealership couldn't find any codes to remedy it. The check engine does not come on but it does shake violently.it has 35000 miles now.I had the throttle body cleaned and it still putters at the light. Mostly with the A/C off

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Compare the 2016 Scion Ia

Other model years

2016

Questions about the 2016 Scion Ia

Is the 2016 Scion Ia reliable?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2016 Scion Ia, close to a typical Ia model year.

What is the 2016 Scion Ia year score?

The 2016 Scion Ia scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Scion Ia: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Scion Ia?

Engine and cooling, with 8 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles. Next is electrical (7).

How many recalls does the 2016 Scion Ia have?

No recalls on record.

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