Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Scion IQ
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Scion IQ has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 17 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #12V528000 Occupant Classification System Cable NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 6 complaints
- Air Bags 4 complaints
- Engine 4 complaints
- Unknown or Other 3 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Of the 17 complaints on file, 4 report a crash; across all 17 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Scion IQ has an average reliability rating. The main concern is the airbag recall, combined with various owner complaints on structure and engine issues. These indicate a moderate level of maintenance and repair needs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| airbags | 30,000–50,000 miles | $250–$600 | common |
| engine | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$2,500 | occasional |
| structure | 70,000–100,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil changes every 5,000 miles
- replace air filters annually
- coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- rotate tires every 10,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- airbag warning light
- engine knocking sounds
- rust on body panels
- sluggish acceleration
- burning oil smell
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Scion IQ at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.