SCION TC · model year

2005 SCION TC

203 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005SCIONTC carries 203 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 34 crashes, 4 fires, 40 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 TC is visibility:sun/moon roof assembly with 32 filings, followed by structure:body (15) and air bags (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2005 TC. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

203
Complaints
34
Crashes
4
Fires
40
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

203 filings

Crashes Reported

34 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY32
STRUCTURE:BODY15
AIR BAGS15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
ENGINE9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
VISIBILITY7
TIRES7
STRUCTURE6
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD5
EQUIPMENT5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
SEAT BELTS4
POWER TRAIN4

Recalls (4)

06V40800026/10/2006

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS MAY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR IF THE DOOR FOR THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CLOSED WITH A HIGH RATE OF FORCE WHILE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION IS IN THE "ON" POSITION OR WITHIN 90 SECONDS OF TURNING THE IGNITIO

05V48300018/10/2005

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A GLASS WIND DEFLECTOR, THE DEFLECTOR, IF IMPACTED BY A PROJECTILE, SUCH AS ROAD DEBRIS, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WIND DEFLECTOR IN THE UPWARD-TILTED POSITION AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, MAY SHATTER AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.

06V09600003/04/2006

AIR BAGS

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDIT

10V03500003/02/2010

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPA

Recent Complaints

20250910ENGINE

Never had a problem with car before went on freeway to get up to speed n the speedometer was dropping so I pull to side of freeway shut car off turn car back on here clunk clunk shut car off no check engine light was on or has been on no oil light was on nothing get car towed back to safe place well check fluid n oils bone dry cars engine blows just started reading n I guess 2005 goes. Threw oil way fast why isn't that noteted anywhere so messed up just did oil change week before this so shocked now I have to try to fix my blown engine single mom not able to make ends meet now this idk what to do

20230606ENGINE

Engine burning oil

20211115CrashAIR BAGS

1. I believe my airbags deployed pre-maturely with a soft impact to another vehicle. There was no damage to the other vehicle and no police report needed to be filed. There is a minor damage to my front bumper. 2. The airbags inflated on me, but no medical attention was required. 3. I have not confirmed or reproduced this problem with a professional. 4. My car has not been inspected nor reported to my insurance agency as my coverage only covers liability. 5. No symptoms prior to airbags deploying pre-maturely *Because of the pre-mature deployment of my airbags I am unable to afford the airbags to be reset, as doing so would cost more than the kbb estimated value of my car.

20191213CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HER VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED IN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REMINDED BY THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE SIDE AIR BAGS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR IN 2006. THE MANUFACTURER RESPONDED WITH A LETTER, STATING THAT THEY ASSIGNED AN ENGINEER TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. BASED ON THEIR INSPECTION, THEY DID NOT FIND ENOUGH FRONTAL DAMAGE TO COMMAND THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,400. *BF*JB

Mileage: 91,400

20190904UNKNOWN OR OTHER

GLASS ROOF SHATTERED UNPROVOKED

Mileage: 160,000

20190725CrashAIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL?? AIRBAGS FAILED, DURING ACCIDENT. AFTER BEING CUTOFF AND GOING DOWN ROUTE X. LOST CONTROL HIDING CONCRETE. CAR FLIPPED, WAS DRAGGED A FEW FEET'S - NO AIRBAGS. PASSENGER STILL HAS ANXIETY WHEN GETTING INTO VEHICLES-THE ONE THING YOU'D THINK WOULD RESPOND DIDN'T. HOW DO WE EVER GET THE SENSE OF SECURITY BACK. *DT *TR

Mileage: 2

20190714ENGINE

I PURCHASED A RED 2005 SCION TC FOR MY DAUGHTER IN FEBRUARY, 2019 FROM TOYOTA AUTO NATION IN DAVIE, FL. THEY HAD IT PRICED IN GOOD CONDITION, SO I EXPECTED TO GET SOME USE OUT OF IT. I PAID ALMOST $6,000. MONTH LATER IT OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY (595) AND MY DAUGHTER HAD TO PULL OVER LATE AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOME. VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE SITUATION FOR A TEEN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THEIR SERVICE STATION AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM, THAT COST ME $600. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COMPANY WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN ANY DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. SHAME ON THEM FOR SELLING ME A CAR THAT BROKE DOWN IN ONE MONTH. I HAVE CALLED THEM AND THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE PAYMENT. IT IS 'AS IS' I CALLED AND TEXT THE SALES GIRL AND NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK OR RESPONSE. FINALLY PUT A BAD REVIEW ON THEIR WEBSITE AND RECEIVED AN E-MAIL TO CONTACT MANAGER TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WAS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL AND AGAIN TOLD 'TOO BAD'. IT IS

20190714POWER TRAIN

I PURCHASED A RED 2005 SCION TC FOR MY DAUGHTER IN FEBRUARY, 2019 FROM TOYOTA AUTO NATION IN DAVIE, FL. THEY HAD IT PRICED IN GOOD CONDITION, SO I EXPECTED TO GET SOME USE OUT OF IT. I PAID ALMOST $6,000. MONTH LATER IT OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY (595) AND MY DAUGHTER HAD TO PULL OVER LATE AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOME. VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE SITUATION FOR A TEEN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THEIR SERVICE STATION AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM, THAT COST ME $600. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COMPANY WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN ANY DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. SHAME ON THEM FOR SELLING ME A CAR THAT BROKE DOWN IN ONE MONTH. I HAVE CALLED THEM AND THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE PAYMENT. IT IS 'AS IS' I CALLED AND TEXT THE SALES GIRL AND NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK OR RESPONSE. FINALLY PUT A BAD REVIEW ON THEIR WEBSITE AND RECEIVED AN E-MAIL TO CONTACT MANAGER TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WAS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL AND AGAIN TOLD 'TOO BAD'. IT IS

20190714UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I PURCHASED A RED 2005 SCION TC FOR MY DAUGHTER IN FEBRUARY, 2019 FROM TOYOTA AUTO NATION IN DAVIE, FL. THEY HAD IT PRICED IN GOOD CONDITION, SO I EXPECTED TO GET SOME USE OUT OF IT. I PAID ALMOST $6,000. MONTH LATER IT OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY (595) AND MY DAUGHTER HAD TO PULL OVER LATE AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOME. VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE SITUATION FOR A TEEN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THEIR SERVICE STATION AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM, THAT COST ME $600. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COMPANY WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN ANY DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. SHAME ON THEM FOR SELLING ME A CAR THAT BROKE DOWN IN ONE MONTH. I HAVE CALLED THEM AND THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE PAYMENT. IT IS 'AS IS' I CALLED AND TEXT THE SALES GIRL AND NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK OR RESPONSE. FINALLY PUT A BAD REVIEW ON THEIR WEBSITE AND RECEIVED AN E-MAIL TO CONTACT MANAGER TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WAS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL AND AGAIN TOLD 'TOO BAD'. IT IS

20190529POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STICKING. THE DRIVER HAD TO PULL THE CLUTCH PEDAL UP WITH HER LEFT FOOT. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO HIS RESIDENCE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,367.

Mileage: 166,367

20181130ENGINE

THE CAR BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND ONLY HAS 163000 MILES.

Mileage: 163,000

20181127FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SCION TC. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED A FLICKERING LIGHT AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE CONSOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSOLE AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WERE MELTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

Mileage: 172,000

20180427STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE FRAME AND EVERY METAL COMPONENT ON THE UNDERNEATH OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE FRAME RUSTS TERRIBLY. THE REST IS COMPLETELY CORRODING AWAY AND BREAKING OFF. EVEN TH METAL STRAP HOLDING MY GAS TANK ON IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND IF I PUT N PRESSURE IT CHIPS AWAY. I DIDN'T NOTICE THIS UNTIL I WENT TO HAVE MY EXHAUST DONE AND WAS ABLE TO LOOK UNDER THE CAR.

Mileage: 90,000

20170912VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER DISCOVERED THAT THE GLASS AIR DEFECTOR HAD SHATTERED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V483000 (VISIBILITY) IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

20170808UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 8/5/17, AT APPROX. 70-75 MPH, THE REAR MOON ROOF EXPLODED IN MY DAUGHTERS CAR! THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION LIKE THE CAR HAD BEEN SHOT AT. SHE WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THEN AFTER LOOKING AROUND AT ALL THE SIDE WINDOWS, THE PASSENGER NOTICED THAT THE MOON ROOF HAD EXPLODED. AFTER PULLING OVER THEY REMOVED AS MUCH LOOSE GLASS AS POSSIBLE SO IT WOULD NOT TO BLOW OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO OTHERS OR AN ACCIDENT. THE GLASS WAS BLOWN OUTWARD AND LOOKED LIKE A VOLCANO THAT HAD ERUPTED. SHE DID NOT TAKE ANY PICTURES AT THE TIME DUE TO SHOCK AND DISBELIEF. PARENTS TOOK PHOTOS ONCE CAR WAS BACK IN ST. LOUIS IN THEIR GARAGE. SHE HAD TO DRIVE FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO ST. LOUIS WITH THE CAR DROPPING PIECES OF GLASS ONTO AND INTO THE CAR . ALSO FEARFUL THE OTHER ROOF MIGHT EXPLODE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TOYOTA THEY SAID IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES. HEAT, PRESSURE BUILD UP, OR ROCKS CAN CAUSE IT. HEAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN A FACTOR AS THE TEMPS THAT DAY WERE APPROX

Mileage: 94,000

20170808UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM INDIANA ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN HER MOON ROOF OVER THE BACK SEAT BLEW UP. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT AROUND 72 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN EXPLOSION. THANK GOD THERE WERE NO CARS IMMEDIATELY TO HER SIDE AS SHE SWERVED BUT MANAGED TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR. SHE HAD TO CONTINUE FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO ST. LOUIS WITH THE FEAR OF THE SUNROOF DOING THE SAME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. THANK GOD NOBODY WAS INJURED OTHER THAN SOME CUTS FROM PULLING OUT LARGE CHUNKS OF GLASS THAT SHE WAS AFRAID WOULD BLOW OFF AND HIT OTHER CARS. WHEN I ASKED TOYOTA ABOUT IT THEY JUST SAID " IT'S BEEN KNOWN TO HAPPEN". I SHOWED THEM THE PHOTOS AND THEY SAID THAT PRESSURE CAN BUILD UP TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN OR SOMETIMES HEAT. THE TEMP WAS ONLY AROUND 68- LOW 70'S. IF THEY KNOW THIS CAN HAPPEN THEN MAYBE THESE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.

Mileage: 94,000

20170805CrashAIR BAGS

TAKOTA RECALL. I WAS RECENTLY IN A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL PRETTY HARD. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND A DEER BOLTED OUT IN FRONT OF MY CAR AND MY INITIAL REACTION WAS TO AVOID IT AND RAN INTO A TRAFFIC SIGN AND SMACKED THE GUARD RAIL GOING AROUND 50 MPH.

Mileage: 189,000

20160819ENGINE

ACCORDING TO TOYOTA SERVICE THE ENGINE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE DUE TO NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS WAS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THE CAR STOPPED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE 210 FWY WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL.

Mileage: 4

20160808ENGINE

2005 SCION TC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE VIN# NOT INCLUDED IN OIL CONSUMPTION PROGRAM TO REPAIR THE EXISTING OIL PROBLEMS. *SMD

20151209STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON AN APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREE DRY DAY WITH NO EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS. HEARD A SHOTGUN LIKE NOISE AT WHICH POINT THE SUNROOF SHATTERED AND GLASS FELL INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AREAS. SUNROOF AND WIND SHIELD WERE CLOSED, SCREEN WAS OPEN. PAIN RESULTED IN EARS AND HEAD HOWEVER NO LACERATIONS WERE OBTAINED. FALLING GLASS ONTO DRIVER AND BEHIND THE CAR COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN, NO DEBRIS WAS SEEN OR HEARD RESULTING IN THE SHATTERING OF THE GLASS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. GLASS SHATTERED AROUND THE EDGES AND NEAR THE CENTER OF THE SUN ROOF, WIND SHIELD WAS OPEN AFTER INCIDENT, NOT PRIOR.

Mileage: 120,000

Compare 2005SCIONTC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 SCION TC have?
The 2005 SCION TC has 203 NHTSA complaints, 34 crashes, 4 fires, 40 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 SCION TC?
Yes, the 2005 SCION TC has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 SCION TC?
The most-complained component for the 2005 SCION TC is VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY with 32 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2005 SCION TC safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.