NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints for the 2013 Scion Iq. Most complaints involve engine (5) and steering (1). The EPA rates it 37–121 mpg combined.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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.”
“(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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iQ EV Auto (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | 138 | 105 | 121 | $650 | — |
| iQ Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 36 | 37 | 37 | $1,750 | 238 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (5), steering (1), air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2013 Scion Iq at 37–121 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).