Scion TC Problems by Year
NHTSA has 693 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls on file for the Scion TC, across 12 model years (2005–2016). The 2006 model year has the most complaints (161). The most reported problem area overall is visibility.
Scion TC years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical TC year: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2006 TC: 161 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2005 TC: 155 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2007 TC: 117 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Scion TC problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility problems | 132 | 11 | 1 |
| Structure problems | 114 | 11 | 7 |
| Engine problems | 105 | 7 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 85 | 11 | 62 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 43 | 7 | 24 |
| Power Train | 31 | 7 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 29 | 12 | 11 |
| Electrical System | 28 | 9 | 3 |
| Tires | 26 | 7 | 6 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 23 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 23 | 7 | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 21 | 6 | 6 |
| Visibility/wiper | 18 | 9 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 17 | 5 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 15 | 6 | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 | 6 | 1 |
| Suspension | 14 | 6 | 5 |
| Wheels | 14 | 6 | 4 |
| Equipment | 13 | 4 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 9 | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Seats | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Traction Control System | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Scion TC model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 TC | 6 | 2 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2015 TC | 22 | 2 | — | Power Train | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 TC | 20 | 0 | — | Service Brakes | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2013 TC | 9 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2012 TC | 8 | 1 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2011 TC | 29 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | More complaints than other years |
| 2010 TC | 20 | 2 | — | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 TC | 60 | 3 | — | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2008 TC | 86 | 3 | — | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 TC | 117 | 2 | — | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2006 TC | 161 | 5 | — | Visibility | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2005 TC | 155 | 4 | — | Visibility | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Scion: all Scion models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Scion TC years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2005 (155), 2006 (161), 2007 (117), 2008 (86), 2009 (60) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical TC year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Scion TC?
Visibility, with 132 complaints across 11 model years.
How many recalls does the Scion TC have?
10 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.