Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Scion IM problems

Owners filed 12 complaints about the 2016 Scion IM with NHTSA between Nov 2016 and Jul 2024. The most-cited component is power train (5).

Complaints
12
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train5
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Structure2
  4. Steering1
  5. Back over prevention1
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Engine1
  8. Seats1
  9. Visibility/wiper1
  10. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20161
20171
20184
20190
20200
20213
20221
20231
20241

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Scion IM. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission was skipping the 6th and 7th gears. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop at an intersection, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact disconnected the battery for 15 minutes and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was then towed to the parent's residence. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer location. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2024Power trainODI 11600065

Electrical system

2 reports
“Traction control turns off by itself Was not accelerate But I turned it off And restarted it it started to accelerate. But traction control is still turned off”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2023Power train, Electrical systemODI 11527775

Structure

2 reports
“DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW MAKES A NOISE AS IT RUBS AGAINST SOMETHING INSIDE OF DOOR WHEN LOWERING OR RAISING WINDOW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2018StructureODI 11074707

Steering

1 report
“The vehicles car horn no longer works, this is safety manufacturer defect that should be reported and fixed by the manufacturer. I was driving the vehicle and could not honk to other vehicles thus creating a safety hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2022Steering, Unknown or other, Back over preventionODI 11471242

Back over prevention

1 report

Service brakes

1 report
“THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON FOR A SECOND WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. THE LIGHT NOW COMES ON AND STAYS ON THE WHOLE TIME YOU ACCELERATE BUT AS SOON AS YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE LIGHT GOES OUT. THIS NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL YOU LET OFF THE GAS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2021Service brakesODI 11388528
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.