2011 Scion TC

Routine

Owners filed 29 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the headlights. It has been recalled 1 time.

One of the better Scion TC years: fewer complaints than most, without an unusual share of serious ones. Which Scion TC years to avoid →

Most common 2011 Scion TC problems

6 of the 29 complaints (21%) are about the headlights.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Exterior Lighting · headlights6
000
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly3
000
Service Brakes · brakes3
000
Visibility/Wiper · wipers2
000
Power Train · transmission2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine2
111
Air Bags · airbags2
001
Visibility1
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration1
000
Unknown or Other1
000

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2011: 6 complaints, 2 about the headlights'112012: 5 complaints, 1 about the headlights2013: 1 complaints, 0 about the headlights'132014: 3 complaints, 1 about the headlights2015: 3 complaints, 0 about the headlights'152016: 3 complaints, 1 about the headlights2017: 1 complaints, 0 about the headlights'172018: 1 complaints, 0 about the headlights2019: 1 complaints, 0 about the headlights'192020: 3 complaints, 1 about the headlights2021: 0 complaints, 0 about the headlights'212022: 0 complaints, 0 about the headlights2023: 1 complaints, 0 about the headlights'232024: 0 complaints, 0 about the headlights2025: 1 complaints, 0 about the headlights'25Recall 18E091000 (brakes)
All complaintsAbout the headlightsRecall (red: the headlights)

Complaints about the 2011 TC peaked in 2011, with 6 filed that year. In 2025 owners filed 1 so far.

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic18E091000
Filed Sep 20, 2018544 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. 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 these kits may fatigue and fail.

Risk. Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

Technical service bulletins

87 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2011 TC. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 27engine 18transmission 11electrical system 8visibility 7body and frame 4airbags 4wipers 2

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Dec 1, 2025183,000 milesCA

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 21, 2023VA

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!

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 18, 20202 milesNC

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.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 5, 202061,100 milesMD

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 26, 202015 milesOH

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 2019MA

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

Power Train
Filed Oct 26, 201890,000 milesMA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 18, 2017NV

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.

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 4, 2016FL

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.

Structure › Body
Filed May 4, 2016FL

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.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 29, 201652,000 milesLA

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.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Dec 30, 201588,000 milesTX

**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

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 29, 201530,000 milesFL

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.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jan 27, 201564,482 milesVA

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

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 20, 2014PA

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

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jul 2, 201488,888 milesGA

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 4, 201430,000 milesCA

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 8, 201349,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANT ALONG WITH MY ABS LIGHT. MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HASN'T BEEN DOING RIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE DOING. ITS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR MY ENGINE IS MISSING. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 19, 20128 milesTX

SINCE I'VE BOUGHT MY CAR, AT EVERY CAR START UP THERE IS A NOISE OR A RATTLE THAT IS BRIEFLY AUDIBLE FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND THEN STOPS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AGAIN, THE NOISE IS NO LONGER THERE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AT VEHICLE START UP. IT SOUNDS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A WINDING NOISE. THE ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE IS THE EXACT SAME ENGINE IN THE 2011 TOYOTA CAMRY, 2AR-FE. A TSB HAS BEEN FILED FOR THE CAMRY HOWEVER A TSB HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SCION TC. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 29800. I RECOMMEND A TSB BE FILED FOR THE SCION TC 2.5L 2AR-FE SO I AND OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM COULD REPAIR OUR VEHICLES. TSB FOR CAMRY: TSB NUMBER: TSB-0146-10 NHTSA NUMBER: 10034924 TSB DATE: JUNE 9, 2010 DATE ADDED TO FILE: FEBRUARY 1, 2011. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 11, 20122,000 milesNJ

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION. INCLUDING SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN REVERSE, ROLLING BACKWARDS AT STOP LIGHTS/SIGNS, BUCKING/SURGING AT LOW SPEED, GEAR SLIPPAGE, EXCESSIVE & UNPREDICTABLE ENGINE BRAKING, HESITATION TO SHIFT, HESITATION & ROUGH SHIFTING UPON RE-ACCELERATION, & SHIFTER STICKING IN PARK. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingCrashFire1 injured
Filed May 7, 2012900 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, CAUSING IT TO SPIN AROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND INJURIES TO THE NECK, AND BACK. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WERE ANY FATALITIES OR ANY OTHER INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 900.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 12, 201229,000 milesCA

THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 7:00AM ON 2/6/12 ON THE 215 S. GOING AROUND 75MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FLOORED ALL THE WAY DOWN AS IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR FOOT ON IT. I PANICKED AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO BUT PRESS THE BRAKES. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED ME AROUND. I NOTICED CARS IN FRONT OF ME STARTING TO SLOW DOWN AS I WAS ENTERING TRAFFIC. BY THAT TIME MY CAR WAS GOING 100MPH ON ITS OWN BECAUSE I HAD REMOVED MY FEET FROM THE PETALS. I LAST MINUTE REACTED AND PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE PETAL AND PROPPED IT UP MYSELF AND IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SAN BERNARDINO THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND I HAD TO PICK IT UP. I WAS VERY UPSET THAT THEY WERE NOT TAKING ME SERIOUSLY ONLY BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE AND RETURNED THE CAR TO THEM AFTER HAVING TO PAY THEM SOME MONEY. I ASKED WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH THE CAR AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD RESELL IT. WHEN I SHOWED CONCERN FOR THE NEXT OWNERS SAFETY THEY TOLD ME "IT IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM ANYMORE" I WAS VERY DISSAPOINTED BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SINCE THE DAY I TURNED 18 AND HAVE ONLY BOUGHT TOYOTAS. I STILL CAN NOT BELEIVE THAT THEY WILL RESELL IT THE WAY IT IS AFTER THEY KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO IT NOT ONCE BUT 2 TIMES BEFORE, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO THAT CAR AGAIN. I AM PREGNANT AND AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I REACTED ON TIME AND WAS ABLE TO PROP THE PETAL BACK

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 30, 2012CA

I HAVE A 2011 SCION TC AND SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE NOTICED ONLY ONE REVERSE LIGHT WORKS. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS HOW SCION MANUFACTURED ALL THEIR 2011 SCION TC'S. THE THING THAT REALLY THROWS ME OFF IS THAT IT HAS THE AESTHETIC APPEARANCE OF TWO REVERSE LIGHTS BUT ONLY ONE WORKS. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY CLOSE CALLS I'VE HAD BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A PASSING CAR BECAUSE THEY AREN'T ABLE TO SEE MY REVERSE LIGHT. NOT TO MENTION, PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE OF THIS. *TT

Visibility
Filed Dec 15, 20116,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Tires
Filed Oct 27, 20111,700 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC EQUIPPED WITH TOYO PROXES ST II TIRES, SIZE P225/45/18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING LANES AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE DROVE OVER A REFLECTOR IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AS A REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 14, 2011150 milesFL

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE NEARLY RAN INTO MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS ONLY ONE REVERSE LAMP AND IT IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. PEOPLE APPROACHING THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE CANNOT SEE THIS LAMP; THEREFORE THEY DON'T KNOW THE VEHICLE IS REVERSING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT MANY TIMES DUE TO OTHER VEHICLES NOT BEING AWARE OF MY REVERSING. THIS IS ALSO TRUE OF PEDESTRIANS WALKING BEHIND/NEAR THE MY VEHICLE AS THEY CANNOT SEE THE REVERSE LIGHT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS NOT TOLD THIS VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE REVERSE LIGHT WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN A PEDESTRIAN OR CHILD BEING HIT AS THEY MAY WALK BEHIND THE VEHICLE UNAWARE OF IT BEING IN REVERSE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 13, 2011NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE OPERABLE REVERSE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 12, 20115,112 milesIN

I WAS DRIVING WEST ON HIGHWAY 160 TOWARD MY HOME, WHEN A BUCK (DEER), RAN OUT INTO THE ROAD. I SWERVED TO MISS IT AND THEN HIT A TREE HEAD ON. I HIT THE BRAKES AT AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR COLLIDED INTO THE TREE HEAD ON. THE FORCE FROM THE CRASH MADE ME HIT MY HEAD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL TWO TIMES. MY HEAD, NECK, AND BACK HURT INSTANTLY. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL. I HAVE WITNESSES WHO STOPPED AND CALLED 911. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMS, AND POLICE GOT TO THE WRECK THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SMASHED IN. I WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAVE A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND THE TRAUMA CAUSED MY BRAIN THE COLLIDE WITH MY SKULL, BOUNCING IT FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. I STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS AND AM NOW IN SOUTHERN INDIANA REHAB HOSPITAL HAVING TO HAVE PHYSICAL THERAPY. THERE WAS OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE DAMAGES TO MYSELF AND TO THE CAR PROVES THAT THE IMPACT FROM THE COLLISION SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS CAR, THE SALES GUY KEPT TELLING US HOW SAFE THE CAR WAS AND ABOUT THE FIVE STAR RATING. I WANTED A SAFE CAR AND FELT GOOD ABOUT BUYING THE CAR. I ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 3 1/2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WRECK OCCURRED. THERE WERE ONLY 5112 MILES ON THE CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. I AM STILL DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS FROM THIS WRECK TODAY. PLEASE HELP! I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

Structure
Filed May 16, 20118,400 milesCA

LEFT FRONT FENDER LINER CAME OFF (RIPPED OFF) WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

All 29 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20166300Routine
201522300Routine
201420110Routine
20139100Routine
20128200Routine
2011 — this page29110Routine
201020200Routine
200960311Fatalities reported
200886321Fatalities reported
2007117269Fatalities reported
2006161535Fatalities reported
2005155432Fatalities reported

Compare every TC year →

2011 Scion TC: questions buyers ask

Is the 2011 Scion TC a good car?

It is one of the better TC years on record: 29 complaints, fewer than most TC years, without an unusual share of serious ones.

How many recalls does the 2011 Scion TC have?

1 safety recall on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Sep 20, 2018. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2011 Scion TC problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 29,000 miles.

Are there service bulletins for the 2011 Scion TC?

The manufacturer filed 87 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the engine (18), the transmission (11) and the electrical system (8). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 20, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.