2016 Scion iA — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $8,000–$13,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.
Kestrel Take
A rebadged Mazda2 sedan built by Mazda, sold by Scion/Toyota — which means Mazda driving feel and Toyota-style durability with a conventional six-speed automatic. One of the most quietly reliable cheap cars of its era, and low-emissions boring in the best way.
Known Issues for the 2016 Scion iA
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
The standard low-speed pre-collision system occasionally brakes for non-hazards. Test it on the drive.
Repair cost range: $0 software
Mazda-built body has the same rear-arch corrosion tendency in salt country.
Repair cost range: $500-$2,000
Noisy at highway speed and slow to accelerate. Behavior, not defect.
Repair cost range: n/a
The early Mazda-derived system is slow.
Repair cost range: $0-$500
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Rear-arch rust on a northern car
- ✗Accident repair on a cheap car (often done badly)
- ✗Neglected oil changes
Good Signs
- ✓Clean southern underbody
- ✓Conventional six-speed automatic — no CVT
- ✓Simple, documented maintenance
Found a specific Scion iA?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Scion iA in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.