Scion tC Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Scion tC model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2016 drew the fewest (6) and the 2006 the most (161).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | 26 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
8 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 25 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
9 | 0 | Power train | — | 25 |
| 2010 | 20 | 2 | Engine | — | 23–24 |
| 2014 | 20 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 26 |
| 2015 | 22 | 2 | Power train | — | 26 |
| 2011 | 29 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | 25 |
| 2009 | 60 | 3 | Engine | — | 23–24 |
| 2008 | 86 | 3 | Engine | — | 23–24 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
117 | 2 | Engine | — | 23–24 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
155 | 4 | Visibility | — | 22–23 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
161 | 5 | Visibility | — | 22–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Scion tC years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2006 Scion tC: 161 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 39 (24%); Structure 28 (17%); Air bags 24 (15%).
Reports mention 33 crashes, 3 fires, 32 injuries, 5 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,750 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Scion tC: 155 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 47 (30%); Structure 31 (20%); Air bags 20 (13%).
Reports mention 25 crashes, 3 fires, 35 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 41,465 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Scion tC: 117 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 32 (27%); Visibility 21 (18%); Structure 16 (14%).
Reports mention 21 crashes, 6 fires, 27 injuries, 9 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 63,915 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Scion tC years with the fewest complaints
2016 Scion tC: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Seat belts 1 (17%); Service brakes 1 (17%); Structure 1 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 4 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Scion tC: 8 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 3 (38%); Visibility/wiper 2 (25%); Air bags 1 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2013 Scion tC: 9 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 3 (33%); Service brakes 3 (33%); Air bags 2 (22%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 3 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Scion tC owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 33,999 |
| 2014 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 53,000 |
| 2013 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 29,000 |
| 2010 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35,486 |
| 2009 | 60 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 46,481 |
| 2008 | 86 | 15 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 65,000 |
| 2007 | 117 | 21 | 6 | 27 | 9 | 63,915 |
| 2006 | 161 | 33 | 3 | 32 | 5 | 62,750 |
| 2005 | 155 | 25 | 3 | 35 | 2 | 41,465 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Scion tC recalls
- LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS (2005–2010 model years; 271,417 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2010; 10V035000)
- LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS (2006–2010 model years; 153,418 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2010; 10V036000)
- GLASS WIND DEFLECTOR (2005–2006 model years; 71,392 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2005; 05V483000)
- SIDE AND CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG SYSTEM (2005–2006 model years; 29,542 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2006; 06V408000)
- INCORRECT GVWR LABELS (2008–2009 model years; 27,080 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2009; 09V223000)
All 10 Scion tC recall campaigns · Scion tC problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Scion tC years FAQ
Which Scion tC year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2016 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (6). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Scion tC years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2006, 2005 and 2007 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the visibility. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Scion tC problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the visibility (132 of 693 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Scion tC have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Scion tC. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Scion tC recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.