JTNJJXB09CJ0170112012 TOYOTA Scion iQ
2012 TOYOTA Scion iQ was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 3 owner complaints include 1 reported injury, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
Executive Summary
2012 TOYOTA Scion iQ
2012 TOYOTA Scion iQ was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 3 owner complaints include 1 reported injury, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 1 injury reported across 3 owner complaints
3 owner complaints filed — top areas: Engine/Powertrain (33%), Safety Systems (33%), Visibility (33%). 1 crash reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- TOYOTA
- Model
- Scion iQ
- Year
- 2012
- Trim / Series
- NGJ10L
- Body Style
- Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Drive Type
- 4x2
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.3L 94 hp
- Doors
- 3
- Manufacturer
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
- Assembly
- TOYOTA CITY, AICHI, JAPAN
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: TOYOTA CITY, AICHI
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
CLEAR1 in 3 complaints involved an injury — significantly above average, indicating real-world safety incidents.
Complaint Intelligence
3 complaints analyzed across 3 system categories
Owner Complaints
3 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SCION. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. AS A RESULT, THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE USED OVER A QUART OF OIL IN 1,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MANUFACTURER ENHANCED WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SCION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BUMP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND OTHER INTERNAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE RESIDENCE WITH CAUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
STRESS FRACTURE ON PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 1 INCH WHEN FIRST NOTICED AND THEN SPREAD TO ABOUT 8 INCHES WITHIN JUST A FEW DAYS. IT STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE WEATHER STRIPPING AND FRAME ON THE LOWER SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT QUICKLY STARTED INTO A Y LIKE SHAPE. I REPORTED IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND I WAS INSTRUCTED THAT IT WAS JUST A FREAK INCIDENT AND THAT MY INSURANCE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. I DID HAVE IT REPLACED JUST A DAY AGO AND CONTACTED MY DEALER TO HAVE THE STICKERS REPLACED, BUT THEY MADE NO MENTION OF HELPING ME OUT WITH THE COST WHAT SO EVER. I BELIEVE THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE A BAD DESIGN AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY. I HOPE THIS REPORT HELPS SOME ONE ELSE DOWN THE ROAD SOME TIME. IF THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS AGAIN LIKE THIS, I MOST DEFINITELY AM GOING TO TRADE THE CAR IN FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND OF MOTOR VEHICLE. *TR
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 3 NHTSA complaints on file for the TOYOTA Scion iQ — a relatively low volume that spans from 2013 to 2015.
The amber reliability line averaged 98/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 77/100 in 2014.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2014, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $46,614 (~$777/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2012 TOYOTA Scion iQ — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for JTNJJXB09CJ017011. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
TOYOTA has been fined $1217M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Criminal settlement — concealed unintended acceleration defects for years before recall.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | JTNJJXB09CJ017011 |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Make | TOYOTA |
| Model | Scion iQ |
| Series | NGJ10L |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Doors | 3 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.3 |
| Horsepower | 94 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Assembly City | TOYOTA CITY |
| Assembly Country | JAPAN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | JTN |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 9 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | C |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | J |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 017011 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 3 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/18/2026, 7:56:25 AM.