SCION TC · model year

2015 SCION TC

26 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2015SCIONTC carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 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 2015 TC is power train with 6 filings, followed by air bags (4) and visibility/wiper (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 3 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 2015 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.

26
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

26 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN6
AIR BAGS4
VISIBILITY/WIPER3
SERVICE BRAKES2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SUSPENSION1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1

Recalls (3)

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

15V22800017/04/2015

SUSPENSION:REAR

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Scion tC vehicles manufactured December 3, 2014, to January 30, 2015 and equipped with accessory coil springs as part of an optional Release Series 9 trim package. During installation of these coil springs

16V42000009/06/2016

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these v

Recent Complaints

20230531POWER TRAIN

Whining noise is heard when the clutch petal is released. Noise is coming from the input shaft bearing. Common failure on this model. Mechanic confirmed that is the issue. If the bearing completely fails could leave the car stranded and cause more damage to other transmission components. No warning lights but noise is very loud.

20220413ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Over the past 4-5 years, 2015 scion tc has had numerous electrical issues. Both driver and passenger electric door locks do not work. Head and tail lamp lights burn out frequently. Seems like a grounding issue? Car failed to start August 2021 due to electrical problems. 3rd party mechanic fixed the issue. Toyota Dealer-installed automatic start fails multiple times before starting car. Basic electrical mechanisms for a car made in 2015 should not be broken/failing. 2019 Air Conditioner wouldn't drain. Had to investigate and personally drain the tubes behind the passenger and driver side-pannels behind center counsel. The entire draining system for the cars air conditioner had clogged. 2015 Exterior Vinyl Pillars on sides of windshield started to fade. Brought it to Westbury Toyota and they said the sun caused it. I didn't even have the car for 6 months yet....

20220413EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Over the past 4-5 years, 2015 scion tc has had numerous electrical issues. Both driver and passenger electric door locks do not work. Head and tail lamp lights burn out frequently. Seems like a grounding issue? Car failed to start August 2021 due to electrical problems. 3rd party mechanic fixed the issue. Toyota Dealer-installed automatic start fails multiple times before starting car. Basic electrical mechanisms for a car made in 2015 should not be broken/failing. 2019 Air Conditioner wouldn't drain. Had to investigate and personally drain the tubes behind the passenger and driver side-pannels behind center counsel. The entire draining system for the cars air conditioner had clogged. 2015 Exterior Vinyl Pillars on sides of windshield started to fade. Brought it to Westbury Toyota and they said the sun caused it. I didn't even have the car for 6 months yet....

20220413VISIBILITY/WIPER

Over the past 4-5 years, 2015 scion tc has had numerous electrical issues. Both driver and passenger electric door locks do not work. Head and tail lamp lights burn out frequently. Seems like a grounding issue? Car failed to start August 2021 due to electrical problems. 3rd party mechanic fixed the issue. Toyota Dealer-installed automatic start fails multiple times before starting car. Basic electrical mechanisms for a car made in 2015 should not be broken/failing. 2019 Air Conditioner wouldn't drain. Had to investigate and personally drain the tubes behind the passenger and driver side-pannels behind center counsel. The entire draining system for the cars air conditioner had clogged. 2015 Exterior Vinyl Pillars on sides of windshield started to fade. Brought it to Westbury Toyota and they said the sun caused it. I didn't even have the car for 6 months yet....

20210712SUSPENSION

Rear suspension components were loose on vehicle. My car was purchased with rear trd coilovers installed at factory. Suspension components were improperly tightened according to Toyota dealership who serviced my vehicle. Purchased car stock and never had suspension work done in the past. This is similar to NHTSA campaign 15v228000 recall on same car year/manufacturer/model/edition (2015 Scion tC release series 9.0) but my VIN was not part of the 114 out of the 2000 cars sold.

20210416VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND SEATED IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND LIKE A SHATTERED GLASS. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE CENTER SUN ROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT OR INCIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20210305POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP, 50/50, IT SEEMS TO BE DOING A HARD DOWNSHIFT 2-1 BEFORE THE STOP. IT'S SCARY AND FEELS LIKE YOU GOT REAR ENDED. THERE IS ALSO A CLICK NOISE WHEN THE DOWNSHIFT HAPPENS. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND HAD A TRANSMISSION DRAIN AND FILL, WHICH THEY SAID THE FLUID WAS AS CLEAN AND THE COMPUTER HAS NO STORE CODES. THE RESET THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE ISSUES AT 19K MILES! ALSO THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES GOING INTO TRAFFIC, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. I WISH TOYOTA WOULD READ THE OTHER PEOPLE'S COMMENTS WHO HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS U760E TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. I'M WORRIED FOR THE LONGEVITY AND I FEEL I WASTED MONEY TRYING TO DO A TRANSMISSION SERVICE WHICH WAS SUGGESTED BY TOYOTA AND THAT DIDN'T FIX A THING.

Mileage: 19,345

20210305ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TRANSMISSION DOES A HARSH/JERK DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT DOES IT RANDOMLY, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP SLOWLY. IT'S NOT SAFE, FEELS LIKE THE CAR LURCHES INTO 1ST. TOYOTA RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WAS OK FOR A BIT BUT CAME BACK. I'M THINKING IT'S THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR. TOYOTA SAID IT'S A LEARNING TRANSMISSION, BUT SOMETHINGS WRONG. IT'S SCARY TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC, AND ONLY HAVE 33K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGE BY TOYOTA LAST YEAR WITH THE WS AND IT HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THE CAR MAY STALL IN STOP AND GO OR LURCH SO HARD FIRM THE 2-1 DOWNSHIFT THAT I MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 33,999

20210305POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION DOES A HARSH/JERK DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT DOES IT RANDOMLY, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP SLOWLY. IT'S NOT SAFE, FEELS LIKE THE CAR LURCHES INTO 1ST. TOYOTA RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WAS OK FOR A BIT BUT CAME BACK. I'M THINKING IT'S THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR. TOYOTA SAID IT'S A LEARNING TRANSMISSION, BUT SOMETHINGS WRONG. IT'S SCARY TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC, AND ONLY HAVE 33K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGE BY TOYOTA LAST YEAR WITH THE WS AND IT HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THE CAR MAY STALL IN STOP AND GO OR LURCH SO HARD FIRM THE 2-1 DOWNSHIFT THAT I MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 33,999

20210305VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TRANSMISSION DOES A HARSH/JERK DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT DOES IT RANDOMLY, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP SLOWLY. IT'S NOT SAFE, FEELS LIKE THE CAR LURCHES INTO 1ST. TOYOTA RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WAS OK FOR A BIT BUT CAME BACK. I'M THINKING IT'S THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR. TOYOTA SAID IT'S A LEARNING TRANSMISSION, BUT SOMETHINGS WRONG. IT'S SCARY TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC, AND ONLY HAVE 33K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGE BY TOYOTA LAST YEAR WITH THE WS AND IT HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THE CAR MAY STALL IN STOP AND GO OR LURCH SO HARD FIRM THE 2-1 DOWNSHIFT THAT I MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 33,999

20210104CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON MONDAY DEC 28 HEADING TO WORK IT WAS RAINING HARD AND WAS DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED AS EVERYONE ELSE IN THE FREEWAY OUT OF NOWHERE MY STEERING TOOK OVER CONTROL AND I SPINNED AROUND HITTING THE CARPOOL LANE DIVIDER AND WAS TOSSED TO THE 4TH LANE AFTERWARDS. AT THAT MOMENT I WAS IN FRONT OF A SEMI TRUCK AND COULDN'T BRAKE IN TIME AND HIT ME SENDING ME BACK TO THE CARPOOL LANE ANY TIME OF THOSE HITS MY AIR BAGS NEVER TURNED ON.

Mileage: 56,000

20200624POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THERE WAS A DELAY IN VEHICLE RESPONSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF SANTA MARIA (700 E BETTERAVIA RD, SANTA MARIA, CA 93454) TO BE DIAGNOSED, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *BF*JB

Mileage: 18,000

20200601POWER TRAIN

MY 2015 SCION TC AUTOMATIC HAS ROUGH SHIFT POINTS, ROUGH IDLE AT STOP SIGNS. THE SCION FRS HAS THE SAME ISSUES AND TOYOTA ISSUES A TSB FOR SHIFT ENHANCEMENT THAT FIXED THEIR TRANSMISSION ROUGH SHIFTS AND ROUGH IDLE. I'M HOPING THAT SCION OR TOYOTA ARE LISTENING AND WE NEED THIS FIX TOO! RESETTING THE COMPUTERS BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FIXES THE ISSUE TEMPORARILY, SINCE THIS IS A 'LEARNING' TRANSMISSION, IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO DEFAULT AND STARTS TO SHIFT ROUGH, SHIFT TOO OFTEN OR BACK TO BACK EVEN IN CITY DRIVING. IT'S GEAR HUNTING AND I'M SO SICK OF IT. TOYOTA SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, I DID A TRANSMISSION DRAIN AND FILL WITH TOYOTA THINKING IT WOULD FIX THE ISSUE AND IT NEVER DID. IT'S THE ECU OR TCM, WE NEED THE UPDATE JUST LIKE YOU GUYS DID FOR THE FRS AND YOU FIXED THOSE ISSUES! SO PLEASE FIX OURS! THESE ROUGH SHIFTS ARE ANNOYING. I ONLY HAVE 25K MILES ON MY TC SO IT CAN'T BE THE TRANSMISSION, IT'S THE COMPUTERS, PLEASE SEND OUT A NEW FIRMWARE TO FIX THIS! *TR

Mileage: 17,000

20190819VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO LEITH TOYOTA (8005 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, (919) 876-5900) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BU THE RESULTS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

Mileage: 43,000

20190409CrashSERVICE BRAKES

CANT HANDLE A INSTANT BRAKE.

Mileage: 39,000

20190212STRUCTURE:BODY

THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRUCK AREA THAT MY BODY SHOP CANT IDENTIFY. PLS HELP FIX THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 37,500

20190212UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRUCK AREA THAT MY BODY SHOP CANT IDENTIFY. PLS HELP FIX THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 37,500

20190125POWER TRAIN

WHEN PARKED IN NEUTRAL WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL NOT DEPRESSED WHILE RUNNING MY CARS TRANSMISSION MAKES A WHINING NOISE AND ONLY GOES AWAY WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH. ONCE YOU RELEASE THE CLUTCH IT CONTINUES MAKING THE NOISE. HOT AND COLD TEMPERATURES DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE DEALERSHIP THINKS IT'S THE BEARING IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT NOT 100% SURE UNTIL I PAY THEM TO OPEN TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA HAS A HISTORY OF BEARINGS GOING BAD IN THE TC TRANSMISSIONS AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AND REQUESTS YOU TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION.

Mileage: 73,600

20181213VISIBILITY/WIPER

ROOF PANEL FRONT GLASS SHATTERED AROUND THE EDGES WHILE PARKED. WHOLE ROOF PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.

Mileage: 30,000

20181017VISIBILITY/WIPER

ABOUT 5:15 PM, DRIVING WESTBOUND IN THE SUN, ON A CLEAR DAY, IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A 4 LANE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 65-70 MPH, APPROACHING A SOUTHBOUND RAMP. THERE WERE 3 VEHICLES, A MINI COOPER IN FRONT AND RIGHT AND A TRUCK BEHIND, ALL 3 CARS ARE AT LEAST 3-4 CAR LENGTHS AWAY IN NO TRAFFIC. BOTH WINDOWS ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN, LISTENING TO MUSIC, NOT BLARING, WHEN I SUDDENLY HEAR AN INCREDIBLY LOUD POP. I THINK MY TIRE BLEW OUT, BUT NO CHANGE IN MANEUVERABILITY OR LIGHTS BLINKING ON THE DASH. I LOOK IN FRONT AND TO THE COOPER TO THE RIGHT AND THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THEIR DRIVING, ALL FLOWING WITH TRAFFIC, BEHIND NO CHANGE AS WELL. ASSUME SOMETHING HIT THE SIDE OF CAR. STILL SHAKEN FROM THE SOUND I CONTINUE COMMUTE NOW GOING SOUTHBOUND, WHEN I HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE DRIVING ON SAND. NOT THAT POSSIBLE ON A FREEWAY WITHOUT ME NOTICING, MY INSTINCT WAS TO PULL BACK SUNROOF SHADE TO FIND THE GLASS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. AND CONTINUED TO LISTEN TO IT SHATTER FOR THE REST OF MY 15 MINUTE COMMUTE H

Mileage: 42,300

Compare 2015SCIONTC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2015 SCION TC have?
The 2015 SCION TC has 26 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 SCION TC?
Yes, the 2015 SCION TC has 3 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 2015 SCION TC?
The most-complained component for the 2015 SCION TC is POWER TRAIN with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Is the 2015 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.