Is the 2012 Scion IQ reliable?

The 2012 Scion IQ has 23 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BODY/STRUCTURE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Scion IQ?

Top problems: BODY/STRUCTURE (6 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (4 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Scion IQ?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): AIR BAGS. Contact any Scion dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Scion IQ?

The 2012 Scion IQ gets 37 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1297. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Scion IQ?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Scion IQ 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.

2012 Scion IQ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Scion IQ has 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 23. The most common issue is body/structure problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: cleaning front of car with a wet terry cloth...rubbed paint right off the front near hood emblem. thanks epa for crap paint. *tr. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

4 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BODY/STRUCTURE

6 complaints

26%

• CLEANING FRONT OF CAR WITH A WET TERRY CLOTH...RUBBED PAINT RIGHT OFF THE FRONT NEAR HOOD EMBLEM. THANKS EPA FOR CRAP PAINT. *TR
• THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ENTIRE CAR. THE BODY SHOP SAID IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, MODEL & COLOR. WHY WON'T TOYOTA DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?
• PISTON ARE BURNING A QT OF OIL PER 200 MILES OR LESS AND PAINT FLAKING ON CAR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CLEANING FRONT OF CAR WITH A WET TERRY CLOTH...RUBBED PAINT RIGHT OFF THE FRONT NEAR HOOD EMBLEM. THANKS EPA FOR CRAP PAINT. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Scion IQ

Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K 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+

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.

Recalls (1)

AIR BAGS08/11/2012

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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Scion IQ

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,298

Per month

$108

Per mile

10.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,334/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/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 2012 Scion IQ

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

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 23 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: CLEANING FRONT OF CAR WITH A WET TERRY CLOTH...RUBBED PAINT RIGHT OFF THE FRONT NEAR HOOD EMBLEM. THANKS EPA FOR CRAP PAINT. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION IQ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND RIBS DUE TO STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 12V5
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHEN COLD THE CV TRANSMISSION IN THE IQ WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO PULL AWAY UP A STEEP HILL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE ISSUE ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, IT WILL PULL THE SAME HILL WITH NO PROBLEM WHEN WARM. THE IQ HAS A CV TRANSMI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT ATTACHMENT HAS BROKEN OFF. THE PLASTIC ARMS HAVE SNAPPED AT THE END OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE FLOOR MATS NOW MOVE AROUND AND PRESENT A POSSIBLE SAFETY RISK IF THE FLOOR MAT BECOMES LODGED UNDER THE GAS PEDDLE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Scion dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Scion IQ — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 23
Recalls: 1
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 4
Injury reports: 3
Segment avg: 23

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Scion IQ

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