What year Scion TC should I avoid?

The 2005, 2006, and 2007 model years rank worst based on NHTSA complaints, with complaint indexes of 82, 91, and 100 respectively out of 12 model years.

What is the best year for the Scion TC?

The 2012, 2013, and 2016 model years rank best, with complaint indexes of 0, 9, and 18, the lowest among all 12 covered model years.

Are there recalls on the Scion TC?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns across all Scion TC model years, with the 2005 and 2006 years each carrying 4 and 5 recalls respectively.

What problems are most common on the Scion TC?

Across all years, Engine issues account for 24% of complaints, Visibility & Wipers 22%, and Structure & Body 19%, based on NHTSA data covering 693 total complaints.

Is the 2007 Scion TC reliable?

The 2007 TC ranks second-worst of 12 TC model years, with a complaint index of 91 and Engine problems making up 39% of its complaints, at a median 95,718 miles.

Scion TC Best and Worst Years (2005–2016)

The 2005, 2006, and 2007 Scion TC model years rank worst, with complaint indexes of 82, 91, and 100 out of the 12 model years covered. The 2012, 2013, and 2016 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 0, 9, and 18. Best bets: 2012-2013 or 2016.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Avoid 2007 Best 2012 Best 2013 Best 2016

Model years: 12; 2005–2016
NHTSA complaints: 693
Recall campaigns: 10
Crashes reported: 126
Fires reported: 17
Top problem area: Engine

TC Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Scion TC problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	82	155	25	3	4	Visibility & Wipers	22.5	—
2006	Avoid	100	161	33	3	5	Visibility & Wipers	22.5	—
2007	Avoid	91	117	21	6	2	Engine	23.5	—
2008	Caution	64	86	15	2	3	Engine	23.5	—
2009	Caution	73	60	15	1	3	Engine	23.5	—
2010	Good	27	20	2	0	2	Engine	23.5	—
2011	Good	36	29	1	1	0	Electrical System	25	—
2012	Best	0	8	1	0	1	Visibility & Wipers	25	—
2013	Best	9	9	2	0	0	Brakes	25	—
2014	Caution	55	20	6	1	0	Brakes	26	—
2015	Good	45	22	4	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	26	—
2016	Best	18	6	1	0	2	Brakes	26	—

TC years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Scion TC Index 100 · 161 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2006 TC has the highest complaint index of any TC year, at 100, making it the top-ranked year to avoid. Visibility & Wipers complaints lead at 26% share (median 50,000 miles), with Engine issues close behind at 19% (median 81,608 miles) and Structure & Body at 19% (median 52,500 miles). Owners described airbags that did not deploy in low-speed crashes and reported braking and transmission problems, including one vehicle labeled a repeat-repair case. NHTSA recorded 5 recalls for tire labeling and airbag sensor defects. This year also had the most deaths reported among TC complaints, at 5.

2006 visibility & wipers problems →2006 engine problems →2006 structure & body problems →

2007 Scion TC Index 91 · 117 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2007 TC posts a complaint index of 91, ranking second-worst. Engine problems dominate at 39% share of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 95,718 miles, far higher than other TC years. Owners described sudden steering pull leading to loss of control and crashes into fixed objects, plus airbags that failed to deploy during frontal impacts. Structure & Body and Visibility & Wipers issues followed. NHTSA lists 2 recalls tied to tire selection label compliance. This year recorded 9 deaths among reported complaints, the most of any TC model year despite fewer total complaints.

2007 engine problems →2007 visibility & wipers problems →2007 structure & body problems →

2005 Scion TC Index 82 · 155 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2005 TC carries a complaint index of 82 and ranks third-worst of the 12 model years. Visibility & Wipers issues lead complaints at 32% share, with a median failure mileage of 33,000 miles, followed by Structure & Body problems at 23% (median 55,000 miles). Owners also reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and brakes that felt slow to respond. NHTSA logged 4 recalls for this year, covering tire label compliance and airbag sensor/inflator defects. The year recorded 25 crashes, 3 fires, and 2 deaths tied to complaints, the highest severity markers among the TC lineup.

2005 visibility & wipers problems →2005 structure & body problems →2005 engine problems →

Most common Scion TC problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine164 (24%)
Visibility & Wipers149 (22%)
Structure & Body131 (19%)
Airbags85 (12%)
Other73 (11%)
Brakes63 (9%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires52 (8%)
Electrical System39 (6%)
Transmission & Powertrain31 (4%)
Steering23 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Scion TC should I avoid?: The 2005, 2006, and 2007 model years rank worst based on NHTSA complaints, with complaint indexes of 82, 91, and 100 respectively out of 12 model years.
What is the best year for the Scion TC?: The 2012, 2013, and 2016 model years rank best, with complaint indexes of 0, 9, and 18, the lowest among all 12 covered model years.
Are there recalls on the Scion TC?: NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns across all Scion TC model years, with the 2005 and 2006 years each carrying 4 and 5 recalls respectively.
What problems are most common on the Scion TC?: Across all years, Engine issues account for 24% of complaints, Visibility & Wipers 22%, and Structure & Body 19%, based on NHTSA data covering 693 total complaints.
Is the 2007 Scion TC reliable?: The 2007 TC ranks second-worst of 12 TC model years, with a complaint index of 91 and Engine problems making up 39% of its complaints, at a median 95,718 miles.