Is the 2016 Scion IA reliable?

The 2016 Scion IA has 39 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Scion IA?

Top problems: ENGINE (8 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (7 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Scion IA?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Scion IA.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Scion IA?

The 2016 Scion IA gets 35 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1371. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Scion IA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Scion IA is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Scion IA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Scion IA has 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 39. The most common issue is engine problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: @ 9851 miles, picked up the car from an oil change (in nov. 2016.) noticed a light shaking when at a complete stop at stop light. the issue continued randomly, at first not very often, then started happening more and more often and became more and more intense at times. car is at 18,029 miles (6/28/.

8 crash reports 5 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

8 complaints

21%

• @ 9851 MILES, PICKED UP THE CAR FROM AN OIL CHANGE (IN NOV. 2016.) NOTICED A LIGHT SHAKING WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AT STOP LIGHT. THE ISSUE CONTINUED RANDOMLY, AT FIRST NOT VERY OFTEN, THEN STARTED HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN AND BECAME MORE AND MORE INTENSE AT TIMES. CAR IS AT 18,029 MILES (6/28/
• FOUR TIMES NOW( ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS) AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE THE ENGINE MADE HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUNDS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LURCH VIOLENTLY AS I ATTEPMPTED TO BACK UP. IT EVENTUALLY STALLED OUT COMPLETELY. ON ONE OCCASION I WAS ABLE TO HAVE SOMEBODY SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE SO I C
• I WAS ABOUT TO PARK AT A BURGER KING STORE AT DELANO CALIFORNIA 93215 AND SLOWING DOWN WHEN MY SCION IA SPEED UP MORE AND KEPT ON RUNNING WHILE MY FOOT IS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE. SO I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE STORE. IT ONLY STOP BECAUSE THE TIRE WHERE ALREADY UP. I TRIED TO REVERSE MY CAR BUT CANNOT MOVE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“@ 9851 MILES, PICKED UP THE CAR FROM AN OIL CHANGE (IN NOV. 2016.) NOTICED A LIGHT SHAKING WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AT STOP LIGHT. THE ISSUE CONTINUED RANDOMLY, AT FIRST NOT VERY OFTEN, THEN STARTED HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN AND BECAME MORE AND MORE INTENSE AT TIMES. CAR IS AT 18,029 MILES (6/28/”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Scion IA

Based on 30 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 40K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Scion IA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,372

Per month

$114

Per mile

11.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,171/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Scion IA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 39 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: @ 9851 MILES, PICKED UP THE CAR FROM AN OIL CHANGE (IN NOV. 2016.) NOTICED A LIGHT SHAKING WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AT STOP LIGHT. THE ISSUE CONTINUED RANDOMLY, AT FIRST NOT VERY OFTEN, THEN STARTED HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN AND BECAME MORE AND MORE INTENSE AT TIMES. CAR IS AT 18,029 MILES (6/28/
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MY DEALER LOST MY KEY, AFTER THE GAVE ME THE CAR AND I DROVE OFF TO COSTCO WITHOUT NOTICING I DIDN'T HAVE THE KEY, FOUND OUT THE CAR IS STARTING WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE CAR. DEALER KEPT WITH THE CAR WHILE TOYOTA CORP DECIDE HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE GAVE ME A LOANER CAR WHILE THEY DO THE JOB.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I AM A 113 LB ADULT. WHENEVER I SIT ON A 2-INCH FOAM CUSHION IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF OUR SCION IA, THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" WARNING ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD. THE SEAT IS TOO LOW AND HARD FOR ME TO SIT COMFORTABLY WITHOUT THE CUSHION, AND I ALSO HAVE TO USE IT WHEN I DRIVE THE SCION IA. BUT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: FOUR TIMES NOW( ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS) AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE THE ENGINE MADE HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUNDS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LURCH VIOLENTLY AS I ATTEPMPTED TO BACK UP. IT EVENTUALLY STALLED OUT COMPLETELY. ON ONE OCCASION I WAS ABLE TO HAVE SOMEBODY SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE SO I C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Scion IA — Year Comparison

How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2016

39Below Average

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 39
Recalls: 0
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 8
Injury reports: 5
Segment avg: 39

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Scion IA

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