ScioniQ2012Overview/scion/iq/2012/base/

2012 Scion iQ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 iQ.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Scion iQ is a micro‑crossover built on a compact platform and powered by a modest engine that uses 3.7 qt of 5W‑20 (or 0W‑20) oil, paired with an automatic transmission that employs variable gear ratios to keep its EPA ratings at an efficient 36 mpg city and 37 mpg highway and combined. Its modest powertrain and lightweight construction contribute to the vehicle’s standout fuel economy while the only recorded recall and a total of 17 owner complaints—chiefly concerning structural issues—reflect a relatively low incidence of problems for the model year. Within the 2012‑2015 iQ complaint timeline, 2012 registers the highest complaint count, yet the trend moves toward fewer issues, indicating that the 2012 iQ sits at the more complaint‑prone end of an otherwise improving reliability record.

Model year2015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy36/37/37 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51 · 295 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030169011. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51 · 295 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030169011 alt 04152YZZA7
Engine air filter1780140040
Fuel filter2321740011
Spark plug9091901275
Battery2880047090
Front wiper blades8522233241 alt 8521274010
Serpentine belt9091602670 alt 9091602681
Thermostat9091603147 alt 1632647020
Cabin air filter8856874040

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length120.1 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase78.7 in
Curb weight2116 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined36 / 37 / 37 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the iQ of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.6–10.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.60 sec — 2012 Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Hatchback 1.3L I-49.60 sec17.50 sec94 hpFWD
2012Hatchback 1.3L I-49.60 sec17.40 sec94 hpFWD
2012Hatchback 1.3L I-410.80 sec18.10 sec94 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 5W-20 / 0W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-20 · 0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts21 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.73-.86 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.51 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51
Standard BCI Cranking Performance295 cca
Optional BCI Group Number35

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression131-174 psi. 14.2 maximum variation psi.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle78 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.787 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.709 in
Drum Nominal Diameter7.09 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9011 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 60111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
124 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Scion iQ stands out with 17 complaints, a sharp contrast to the 5, 1, and 1 complaints in the three subsequent years, indicating that early production issues were largely resolved. It is the only model year with a recall (one in 2012, another in 2013), and its 89 technical service bulletins suggest numerous documented fixes were available. The top complaint areas—structure and air bags—along with 4 crash-related reports, point to potential safety concerns, though the data does not specify root causes. The rapid decline in complaints after 2012 implies that later years are more reliable. For a used car buyer, the 2012 model year carries a higher risk of encountering these early problems, so a 2013 or newer iQ would be a more prudent choice.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
89
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
17
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 17 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure4
Air Bags3
Unknown Or Other2
Air Bags,Seat Belts,Vehicle Speed Control1
Exterior Lighting,Engine1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Structure,Engine1
Structure,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V528000Air BagsReported 08/11/2012

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 89 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z3G_Dealer_Lette2022-12-14StructureDL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original…
ZKG_Dealer_Lette2022-12-14StructureDL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original…
Z2G_Dealer_Lette2022-12-14StructureDL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original…
Support Program2022-05-18StructureDL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original…
ZKG_Dealer_Lette2022-04-28StructureDL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific iQ. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 iQ take?

3.7 qt of 5W-20 OR 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 iQ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the iQ get?

EPA figures are 36 city / 37 highway / 37 combined mpg.