2005 Scion TC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Scion TC ranks 3rd-worst of 12 model years with a Complaint Index of 82 and 155 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 32% of complaints, backed by 4 recalls including two airbag campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #3 of 12 TC years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 155
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 25
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 35
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 35 / 2
Top 2005 Scion TC problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers50 (32%)
- Structure & Body36 (23%)
- Engine22 (14%)
- Airbags20 (13%)
- Other18 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (10%)
- Brakes10 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (5%)
- Electrical System5 (3%)
- Fuel System5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in rear-end and side collisions, sometimes leaving occupants seriously injured.
- Owners describe brakes that pulsate, feel slow to respond, or go to the floor, occasionally followed by loss of vehicle control.
- Some drivers reported the vehicle continuing to accelerate even after applying the brakes.
- One owner described a fire that started under the hood after parking, traced to a fuel line defect.
- A seat belt reportedly shredded during a crash, allowing an occupant to be ejected.
- Suspension complaints include the vehicle fishtailing while braking during highway exits.
2005 Scion TC recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V035000Feb 3, 2010Other271,417 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
- NHTSA 06V408000Oct 26, 2006Airbags29,542 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
On certain vehicles, the side impact seat-bolster and curtain side airbags may inadvertently deploy. This condition can occur if the door for that side of the vehicle is closed with a high rate of force while the vehicle's ignition is in the "on" position or within 90 seconds of turning the ignition key from the "on" position to the "off" position.
Risk: If the side impact seat-bolster and curtain side airbags inadvertently deploy, they could cause personal injury if an occupant is seated on the same side of the vehicle as the door that is closed with a high rate of force. Until the repair has been performed, it is recommended that a minimal force/speed be used to close the driver and passenger doors or closing the doors after 90 seconds have elapsed from turning the ignition key from the "on" to the "off" position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the two side impact airbag sensors and install a urethane pad in the front doors, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-866-548-1851.
- NHTSA 06V096000Apr 3, 2006Airbags133 vehicles
Air bags
On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. In this condition, the expansion force of the gas may be insufficient to properly inflate the air bag when the SRS system is activated during a crash.
Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the specific SRS air bag. The recall began on april 6, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371, scion at 1-866-548-1851, or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
2005 Scion TC fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other TC years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Scion TC reliable?
- It ranks 3rd-worst among 12 model years of the Scion TC based on NHTSA complaints, with a Complaint Index of 82 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Scion TC?
- Visibility & Wipers issues account for 32% of complaints (50 of 155), followed by Structure & Body at 23% and Engine problems at 14%.
- Does the 2005 Scion TC have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Scion TC, covering airbag sensor and inflator defects, a wind deflector glass hazard, and a tire/rim label compliance issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Scion TC compare to other years?
- The 2005 model's Complaint Index of 82 is worse than the 2008-2016 model years, but slightly better than 2006 (100) and 2007 (91), which also carry Avoid verdicts.
- Were there airbag deployment problems in the 2005 Scion TC?
- Yes, owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and NHTSA issued two separate airbag recalls (06V408000 and 06V096000) covering side and curtain airbag defects.