2012 Scion iQ
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 6 of 17 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 0 in 2011 to 17 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Minicompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,750 | 1,700 | 1,700 | 1,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 36 | 37 | 37 | 37 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 36 / 37 | 36 / 37 | 36 / 37 | 36 / 37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 247 | 240 | 238 | 238 | |
| Complaints filed | 0 | 17 | 5 | 1 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Scion iQ have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Scion iQ?
Body, Seats & Latches: 6 of 17 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Scion iQ get?
EPA rates it 37 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Scion iQ?
EPA estimates $1,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 36 mpg | 37 mpg | 37 mpg | $1,700 | 240 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 12V528000 · Nov 8, 2012
Defect: 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.