YearToAvoid

2006 Scion TC Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 12 TC years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2006 Scion TC has 161 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 12 TC model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is visibility & wipers (42 complaints, 26% of the total). Complaints report 33 crashes, 3 fires, 32 injuries, and 5 deaths.

Complaints
161
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
33 / 3
Injuries / deaths
32 / 5
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22.5
19.5 city / 27 hwy

Top 2006 Scion TC problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers42 (26%)
  2. Engine31 (19%)
  3. Structure & Body31 (19%)
  4. Airbags24 (15%)
  5. Other14 (9%)
  6. Steering12 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (6%)
  8. Brakes9 (6%)
  9. Electrical System8 (5%)
  10. Fuel System6 (4%)
2006 Scion TC complaints: complaints filed per quarter102005 Q32007 Q22009 Q22011 Q12013 Q12015 Q22017 Q22020 Q1
191 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q3 to 2025 Q1; peak 2010 Q1 (10).

2006 Scion TC recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 10V036000Feb 3, 2010Other153,418 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

    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. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2006 Scion TC →

2006 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.

2006 compared with other TC years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid82155422.5
2006Avoid100161522.5
2007Avoid91117223.5
2008Caution6486323.5

All Scion TC years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Scion TC a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Scion TC ranks worst among TC model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 161 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Scion TC?
The most reported problem areas are visibility & wipers (42 complaints), engine (31 complaints), and structure & body (31 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 62,750 miles.
Does the 2006 Scion TC have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2006 Scion TC, most recently reported 2010, covering other, airbags, and visibility & wipers.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Scion TC?
EPA rates the 2006 Scion TC at 22.5 MPG combined (19.5 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.