Is the 2013 Scion IQ reliable?

The 2013 Scion IQ has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Scion IQ?

Top problems: ENGINE (5 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (1 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 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 2013 Scion IQ?

The 2013 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 2013 Scion IQ?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 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.

2013 Scion IQ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Scion IQ has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 23. The most common issue is engine problems (63% of all complaints), specifically: (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 e. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

4 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 4 of 4)

ENGINE

5 complaints

63%

• (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 E
• EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, STARTING AT 86K MILES. USING 7 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES, WITH A STARTING CAPACITY OF 3.8 QUARTS. THIS MEANS I'M DOING 2 COMPLETE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3K MILES. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THAT CAR TO USE SO MUCH OIL. OIL LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT HALF WAY THROUG
• RECALLED FOR POSSIBILITY OF A VALVE SPRING BREAKING POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP WORKING WHILE UNDER DRIVING CONDITIONS. RECALL NOTICE INDICATED THAT THE TIME FOR REPAIRS WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 DAYS AND THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT VALDOSTA TOYOTA WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SCHED

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

“(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 E”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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 2013 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 2013 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: (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 E
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: (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 E
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: (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 E
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: (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 E
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 2013 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: 8
Recalls: 1
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 4
Injury reports: 4
Segment avg: 23

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Scion IQ

Compare With

2013 Ford C-MAX231 complaints 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI65 complaints 2013 Ford C-MAX HYBRID179 complaints 2013 Ford E-15029 complaints