SCION TC · model year

2012 SCION TC

12 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012SCIONTC carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 2012 TC is visibility:sun/moon roof assembly with 3 filings, followed by unknown or other (3) and visibility/wiper (2). 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 2 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 2012 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.

12
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

12 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
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
AIR BAGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
SERVICE BRAKES1

Recalls (2)

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

13V12300009/04/2013

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-20

Recent Complaints

20200618VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I WAS DRIVING ON 60 FREEWAY WHEN MY SUNROOF WINDOW EXPLODED/SHATTERED. I'M DOING SOME RESEARCH AND ITS HAPPENING ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FREQUENTLY. I WENT TO TOYOTA AND TALKED TO THEM REGARDING IF THERE IS RECALL ABOUT IT BECAUSE LOOKS LIKE ITS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I ENDED UP PAYING FOR IT VIA MY INSURANCE. HOW CAN I AS A CONSUMER BE PROTECTED IF THIS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? IT SEEMS THEY DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM ABOUT IT. *TR

Mileage: 172,000

20200618UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING ON 60 FREEWAY WHEN MY SUNROOF WINDOW EXPLODED/SHATTERED. I'M DOING SOME RESEARCH AND ITS HAPPENING ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FREQUENTLY. I WENT TO TOYOTA AND TALKED TO THEM REGARDING IF THERE IS RECALL ABOUT IT BECAUSE LOOKS LIKE ITS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I ENDED UP PAYING FOR IT VIA MY INSURANCE. HOW CAN I AS A CONSUMER BE PROTECTED IF THIS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? IT SEEMS THEY DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM ABOUT IT. *TR

Mileage: 172,000

20200415SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

20200415UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

20190821VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION TC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. PRIORITY TOYOTA CHESAPEAKE (1800 GREENBRIER PKWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 213-5000) WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SUBMIT A CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,200.

Mileage: 63,200

20170216VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 55 MPH. MY SUNROOF WAS CLOSE, AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON AND WINDOWS UP BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING. WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD NOISE THOUGHT IT WAS SOMEONE THAT HAD AN IMPACT BY OTHER CAR. WHEN I LOOKED UP MY SUNROOF WAS ALL OF THE SOMETHING GONE. I LOOKED IN THE DRIVEWAY BY MY MIRROR AND IT WAS FLYING LIKE A "FREEZE BIZ" FOR NO REASON. I TRY TO MAKE A CLAIM WITH THE DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COVER ME. I ALSO MADE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY MAPFRE AND TOLD ME IT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT SO THEY DIDN'T COVER ME. THEY MVP TOYOTA DEALER IS CHARGING ME $4,359.25 FOR FIXING IT.

20150724UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ON MY WAY HOME ON I-10 THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR ME, WINDOWS UP SUNROOF CLOSED AC ON, MY ROOMMATE WITH ME WE HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT THAN A SHOWER OF GLASS. WE PULLED OVER TO FIND THE GLASS PANEL IN THE ROOF HAD SHATTERED THERE WAS NO IMPACT MARK(S) I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE PLACE I GOT THE CAR(NEW) (PHILPOT MOTORS IN NEDERLAND TX) WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TWO CARS ON THE LOT THAT DID THE SAME THING, BUT COMPLETELY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I CALLED MY INSUR, CO. ABOUT IT AND THAT TOLD ME THAT SHOULD BE WARRANTY DEAL. NO ONE HAD ANY INFORMATION TO HELP ME, AND I HAD SEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR...

Mileage: 13,350

20150724VISIBILITY/WIPER

ON MY WAY HOME ON I-10 THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR ME, WINDOWS UP SUNROOF CLOSED AC ON, MY ROOMMATE WITH ME WE HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT THAN A SHOWER OF GLASS. WE PULLED OVER TO FIND THE GLASS PANEL IN THE ROOF HAD SHATTERED THERE WAS NO IMPACT MARK(S) I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE PLACE I GOT THE CAR(NEW) (PHILPOT MOTORS IN NEDERLAND TX) WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TWO CARS ON THE LOT THAT DID THE SAME THING, BUT COMPLETELY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I CALLED MY INSUR, CO. ABOUT IT AND THAT TOLD ME THAT SHOULD BE WARRANTY DEAL. NO ONE HAD ANY INFORMATION TO HELP ME, AND I HAD SEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR...

Mileage: 13,350

20150724STRUCTURE:BODY

ON MY WAY HOME ON I-10 THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR ME, WINDOWS UP SUNROOF CLOSED AC ON, MY ROOMMATE WITH ME WE HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT THAN A SHOWER OF GLASS. WE PULLED OVER TO FIND THE GLASS PANEL IN THE ROOF HAD SHATTERED THERE WAS NO IMPACT MARK(S) I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE PLACE I GOT THE CAR(NEW) (PHILPOT MOTORS IN NEDERLAND TX) WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TWO CARS ON THE LOT THAT DID THE SAME THING, BUT COMPLETELY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I CALLED MY INSUR, CO. ABOUT IT AND THAT TOLD ME THAT SHOULD BE WARRANTY DEAL. NO ONE HAD ANY INFORMATION TO HELP ME, AND I HAD SEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR...

Mileage: 13,350

20140629VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

DRIVING TO WORK IN CALIFORNIA, PARTLY CLOUDY, AROUND 60 DEGREES. ALL WINDOWS UP, AC OFF, SUNROOF CLOSED AND VISOR SHUT. I AM DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE AT 65MPH WHEN I HEAR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A GUNSHOT IN MY CAR FOLLOWED BY GLASS SHATTERING AND SPRAYING OVER MY CAR. I PULLOVER TO SEE THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUTWARD. THE WHOLE IN MY SUNROOF IS ABOUT 1FT 6IN LONG AND ABOUT 8IN WIDE. THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE SUNROOF AND THE MIDDLE APPEARED TO LOOK LIKE PRESSURE BLEW OUT THE CENTER. LUCKY FOR ME MY VISOR WAS CLOSED SO THE GLASS REMAINS IN THERE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT IT TOOK ME 30 SECONDS TO FIND PLENTY OF EVIDENCE. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO DRIVERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. NO VEHICLE THAT HAS WINDOWS EXPLODING SPONTANEOUSLY IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I ASK THAT TOYOTA TAKE RESPONSIBILITY NOW BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

Mileage: 58,886

20130923ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TO DATE, I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTION. I WORKED WITH MANUFACTURING AND SALES ORGANIZATIONS AND I HAVE FAILED TO RECEIVE SUBSTANTIATION BEYOND YOUR ORGANIZATION'S DUE DILIGENCE THAT MY VEHICLE IS SAFE FOR MY FAMILY. THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE SPECIFIC MALFUNCTION WITH MY VEHICLE (ELECTRICAL) AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAVE BEEN GUTTING MY VEHICLE PIECE BY PIECE DEVALUING IT.

Mileage: 31,000

20121023CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASH HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS HEAD, NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 841.

Mileage: 841

Compare 2012SCIONTC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 SCION TC have?
The 2012 SCION TC has 12 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 SCION TC?
Yes, the 2012 SCION TC has 2 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 2012 SCION TC?
The most-complained component for the 2012 SCION TC is VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Is the 2012 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.