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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Scion IA Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
22%of 23 total for the year
Median mileage
35,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Scion IA, 22% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Transmission whine after used car purchase with 91k miles. Took it to toyota of greenville for diagnostic. Needed a new transmission. Took the car back to ralph hayes toyota of anderson whew I purchased and they replaced the transmission. Since then there has been a transmission grinding and severe vibration while in drive or reverse. I called toyota customer service and asked for a buy back. They declined. I also complained about the dealership and their lack of caring and understanding. Toyota corporate does not care. …”

NHTSA complaint #11290769, filed 2019-12, 91,000 miles

“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 could look under the hood while the car was grinding and lurching. I saw the engine start to vibrate and then dump forward and then repeat that cycle. I do have video of the event on my phone but I am not able to download it to this lap top.”

NHTSA complaint #11082332, filed 2018-04, 12,000 miles

“While driving, indicating warning lights on dash start blinking (ABS, check engine, traction, and others), then the engine goes into low hear and stays until the vehicle is turned off and back on. During these episodes the speed odometer is erratic. Also when in this state, the reverse gear does not engage. When this started it was a once a month problem, then weekly, now it happens daily/hourly. It started at approximately 40,000 miles. This happens while driving on city streets and highway, most of the time at stops and lower speeds but does happen on freeway too.”

NHTSA complaint #11152522, filed 2018-11, 40,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Scion IA. On two separate occasions, while driving, the transmission erroneously downshifted and caused the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. During the failure, a loud grinding metal noise was present under the vehicle and an unknown warning indicator displayed. On one occasion, while driving, the failure occurred and caused a second vehicle to crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The driver sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries. In a separate incident, the passenger sustained head, neck, and shoulder injuries from when the vehicle abruptly reduced speed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11256685, filed 2019-09, 30,000 miles

“Was getting off work. Started car and Engine system malfunction light, DSC malfunction light, TPMS System Malfunction light, Auto transmission malfunction light, and SCBS malfunction light all turned on. Car was not currently in motion when lights went on. Was in parking lot. Turned car off, and restarted, lights remained on. Drove vehicle 6.8 miles home, car was in limp mode. When at home used OBD2 scan tool and got codes P0847 C1031 U0401 B13D3 Cleared codes and unplugged 12 volt battery to reset system. Only engine system malfunction light remained. …”

NHTSA complaint #11447451, filed 2022-01

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2016522%

Other parts of the 2016 Scion IA

Engine
8 complaints
Electrical system
7 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Wheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Scion IA

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology