SCION TC · model year

2011 SCION TC

35 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011SCIONTC carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 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 2011 TC is exterior lighting with 6 filings, followed by service brakes (4) and power train (3). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 2011 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.

35
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

35 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EXTERIOR LIGHTING6
SERVICE BRAKES4
POWER TRAIN3
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3
AIR BAGS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
ENGINE2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
STRUCTURE1
TIRES1
VISIBILITY1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1

Recalls (1)

18E09100020/09/2018

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in thes

Recent Complaints

20251201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Scion TC. The contact stated that the vehicle was advertised on Facebook Market place with 183,000 miles. The contact stated that while purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that the odometer displayed 118,000. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the seller informed the contact that he had discovered there was a mileage discrepancy upon retrieving the Carfax report after purchasing the vehicle from the previous owner. The contact stated that based on the Carfax report, the mileage was 173,822 on February 6, 2024, but the mileage on the odometer was 118,000.

Mileage: 183,000

20230121SERVICE BRAKES

Why did the dealer tell me this recall is not associated with my vin when I keep getting recall UNADDREESSED notices for my vehicle? This is a safety reason and a complete disconnect between dealerships and Toyota manufacture. I need this addressed immediately!

20201018VISIBILITY/WIPER

BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY 16 YO. HE WAS DRIVING HOME LAST EVENING WITH HIS 9YO BROTHER IN THE CAR AND THEY HEARD A LOUD POP. HE PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT HIS SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED. THANKFULLY THE INNER SHADE WAS CLOSED. NO SIGN OF IMPACT FROM ANY TYPE OF OBJECT AND NO KNOWN PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF. JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD. THANK GOODNESS MY KIDS WERE NOT INJURED OR COVERED IN GLASS SHARDS FROM THIS AND IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME.

Mileage: 2

20200605EXTERIOR LIGHTING

IT'S 2020 AND I JUST BOUGHT A 2011 SCION TC. I TOOK IT TO AN INSPECTION STATION IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND SO I CAN HAVE I REGISTERED IN MARYLAND. MY VEHICLE FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE 2 REAR REVERSE LIGHTS, IT ONLY HAS ONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT HAVE A PORT OR WIRES FOR A REVERSE LIGHTS.

Mileage: 61,100

20200426SERVICE BRAKES

I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT 2011 SCION TC ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT AND RUNNING SMOOTH, THEN I HAD TO START PUSHING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AS IF IT WASNT WORKING. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND AS DOING SO I HIT THE BRAKES AND I BURNT SOME RUBBER BUT BASICALLY THE FRONT LOCKED UP ON ME AND I DRIFTED MY BACK END IN, THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WASNT GETTING MY BRAKES AT THEY'RE FULL POTENTIAL. SO I LOOKED UNDER MY CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR AROUND 2 HOURS, I CAME BACK TO FIND THAT I HAD LEAKING OIL OR SOMETHING UNDER BOTH FRONT TIRES, WHICH HAD ME BEGIN TO THINK IF THERE WAS A LEAK. A FRIEND THEN CAME UP TO ME AND TOLD ME HE HAD FOUND A RECALL FOR SOMETHING ON MY CAR. I CAME UPON YOUR WEBSITE AND PUT IN MY VIN AND CAME TO FIND OUT I HAVE AN UNREPAIRED RECALL ON MY BRAKE LINES. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SETTLED SO I DON'T HAVE FURTHER ISSUES.

Mileage: 15

20200426SUSPENSION

I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT 2011 SCION TC ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT AND RUNNING SMOOTH, THEN I HAD TO START PUSHING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AS IF IT WASNT WORKING. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND AS DOING SO I HIT THE BRAKES AND I BURNT SOME RUBBER BUT BASICALLY THE FRONT LOCKED UP ON ME AND I DRIFTED MY BACK END IN, THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WASNT GETTING MY BRAKES AT THEY'RE FULL POTENTIAL. SO I LOOKED UNDER MY CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR AROUND 2 HOURS, I CAME BACK TO FIND THAT I HAD LEAKING OIL OR SOMETHING UNDER BOTH FRONT TIRES, WHICH HAD ME BEGIN TO THINK IF THERE WAS A LEAK. A FRIEND THEN CAME UP TO ME AND TOLD ME HE HAD FOUND A RECALL FOR SOMETHING ON MY CAR. I CAME UPON YOUR WEBSITE AND PUT IN MY VIN AND CAME TO FIND OUT I HAVE AN UNREPAIRED RECALL ON MY BRAKE LINES. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SETTLED SO I DON'T HAVE FURTHER ISSUES.

Mileage: 15

20190115SERVICE BRAKES

TAKATA RECALL WHEN BRAKING IN LOW SPEED YOU HEAR A LOUD SOUND OF THE BREAK PADS AND THE ROTORS HITTING EACH OTHER

20181026POWER TRAIN

WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED A VERY LOUD NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED THE NOISE GOES AWAY. CAR HAS 90K THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THROW OFF CLUTCH BEARING, BUT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE IS HEARD AND TODAY THE CAR ALMOST STALLED TWICE AND IT FELT LIKE THE GEARS WERE GETTING STUCK AND THE CLUTCH WAS NOT RELEASING.

Mileage: 90,000

20171018AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SCION TC. AFTER THE DRIVER AND A FRONT PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED BOTH DOORS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. A WHITE SUBSTANCE EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (AUTONATION TOYOTA LAS VEGAS, 6300 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89146, (702) 605-5801). THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN WHO CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT AT THE DEALER'S FOR OVER A MONTH AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160504EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I REPORTED TO MY DEALER ABOUT THERE IS ONLY ONE BACKUP LIGHT WORKING. THEY SAID"THAT'S THE WAY IT IS". APPARENTLY THERE IS ONLY ONE INSTEAD OF 2 BACKUP LIGHTS. AT NIGHT IT IS A PROBLEM. I CAN'T SEE WHERE I'M BACKING INTO. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO ADD ANOTHER ONE. THAT MEANS, I'M STOCK WITH IT.

20160504STRUCTURE:BODY

EVERY NOW AND THEN I HEAR THIS RATTLING LOUD NOISE ON MY SUNROOF AT SLOW SPEED. I NOTICED THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER WHEN IT'S HOT ABOVE 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT IS HOT AND HUMID HERE. THE RATTLING NOISE DISAPPEARS AFTER A MINUTE. IT'S VERY STRANGE. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUNROOF SHATTERED,EXPLODED FROM OTHER OWNERS, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PARTICULAR MODEL RECALL BEFORE ANYBODY WILL HAVE A SERIOUS INJURY.

20160129VISIBILITY/WIPER

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 40MPH AND SUDDENLY HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, I HEARD MY SUNROOF CRACKING ABOVE ME. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK, I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED ALONG THE LEFT, RIGHT AND BACK OF THE SUNROOF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ESTIMATE IT TO BE AROUND $1200-$1300 TO FIX. $800 FOR THE GLASS BY ITSELF. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME WHEN IT HAPPENED AND NOTHING ABOVE ME THAT COULD HAVE FALLEN AND DONE THIS. IF YOU HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, PLEASE CONTACT SCION TO LET THEM KNOW SO WE CAN GET A RECALL STARTED. 1-866-707-2466.

Mileage: 52,000

20160129UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 40MPH AND SUDDENLY HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, I HEARD MY SUNROOF CRACKING ABOVE ME. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK, I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED ALONG THE LEFT, RIGHT AND BACK OF THE SUNROOF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ESTIMATE IT TO BE AROUND $1200-$1300 TO FIX. $800 FOR THE GLASS BY ITSELF. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME WHEN IT HAPPENED AND NOTHING ABOVE ME THAT COULD HAVE FALLEN AND DONE THIS. IF YOU HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, PLEASE CONTACT SCION TO LET THEM KNOW SO WE CAN GET A RECALL STARTED. 1-866-707-2466.

Mileage: 52,000

20151230VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

**SUNROOF SHATTERED** AROUND 7:00 AM ON A MONDAY (12/28) I GO OUTSIDE TO WARM UP MY CAR AN NOTICE THAT THE SUNROOF IS SHATTERED! IT IS SHATTERED IN A WAY THAT APPEARS IT WAS FROM THE INSIDE GOING OUTWARD. THE OUTSIDE EDGES OF THE GLASS NEAR THE WEATHER STRIPPING IS PULLED AWAY IN AN AKWARD MANNER. NONE OF MY BELONGINGS WERE TAKEN AND NO NOTICEABLE CAUSE AS TO WHY IT SHATTERED. AGAIN, SIMPLY PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY IN ROANOKE,TX. THROUGH MY OWN INVESTIGATING, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN ALL YEAR MODELS OF SCION TCS. I JUST HOPE THAT TOYOTA TAKES THIS INTO CONSIDERATION MOVING FORWARD. LETS SEE WHAT THE INSURANCE AND DEALERSHIP HAVE TO SAY. *JS

Mileage: 88,000

20150629UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THANKFULLY SHE DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE AUTOMOBILE. I CALLED SCION AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING. I HAD TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE CARRIER AND AT THIS TIME I AM WAITING FOR THE PART TO HAVE THIS ROOF PUT BACK ON THE CAR.

Mileage: 30,000

20150127VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (SPONTANEOUSLY). *TR

Mileage: 64,482

20150127STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (SPONTANEOUSLY). *TR

Mileage: 64,482

20140720EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I CONSTANTLY HAVE PEOPLE STOPPING ME TO TELL ME THAT I HAVE A BACK UP LIGHT OUT. WHEN I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE BACK UP LIGHT, I FOUND THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE. EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE TWO LENSES, THERE IS ONLY ONE BACK UP LIGHT. THEREFORE, IF ONE BURNS OUT, I HAVE NO BACK UP LIGHTS. IT IS ALSO VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE BACKING UP AT NIGHT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IN JAPAN, THEY ONLY USE ONE BACK UP LIGHT AND ON THE 2011 MODELS THEY ONLY CAME WITH ONE. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON MANY LEVELS AND WE, AS CAR OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FLIP THE BILL TO GET AN ADDITIONAL BACK UP LAMP INSTALLED. THERE ARE AFTER MARKET KITS AVAILABLE TO DO THIS. BUT, IT INVOLVES CUTTING IN TO THE WIRING HARNESS. STATE INSPECTION LAWS SAY THAT BACK UP LIGHTS NEED TO WORK. HOW DID THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS? *TR

20140702VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,888.

Mileage: 88,888

20140604ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I BOUGHT A PRE-CERTIFIED 2011 SCION TC ON 5/8/2014, APPROX 10 DAYS LATER, WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH THE CAR STARTED TO RATTLE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. IT LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT TOYOTA DEALER/WARRANTY DOES NOT SEEM TO COVER. SEEMS LIKE OTHER FOLKS ARE HAVING THE SIMILAR ISSUE (FROM YOUTUBE). JUST WANTED TO RECORD THIS COMPLAINT. NOT REALLY AN ACCIDENT (SORRY - NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT FORUM). 2011 SCION TC HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TURRAX_X7B8 <--- BEST ONE THAT SOUNDS LIKE OUR TC HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JINQVKKS4ZM 2012 SCION TC WITH HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=5B-G_S_AX8Y. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

Compare 2011SCIONTC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 SCION TC have?
The 2011 SCION TC has 35 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 SCION TC?
Yes, the 2011 SCION TC has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 SCION TC?
The most-complained component for the 2011 SCION TC is EXTERIOR LIGHTING with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2011 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.