YearToAvoid

2009 Scion TC Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#4 most-complained of 12 TC years

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

The 2009 Scion TC has 60 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 73 out of 100 — #4 highest of 12 TC model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is engine (23 complaints, 38% of the total). Complaints report 15 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries, and 1 death.

Complaints
60
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
15 / 1
Injuries / deaths
8 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23.5
20.5 city / 28 hwy

Top 2009 Scion TC problems

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

  1. Engine23 (38%)
  2. Structure & Body10 (17%)
  3. Airbags9 (15%)
  4. Brakes6 (10%)
  5. Other6 (10%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers6 (10%)
  7. Electrical System3 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (3%)
2009 Scion TC complaints: complaints filed per month9Apr 2009Mar 2010Mar 2012Dec 2012Nov 2015Oct 2017Jun 2019Mar 2026
74 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2009 to Mar 2026; peak Feb 2010 (9).

2009 Scion TC recalls

3 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 09V223000Jun 15, 2009Other27,080 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from september 1, 2005 to may 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."

    Risk: Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge. The safety recall began on august 18, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371.

2009 Scion TC fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
23.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,750
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.

2009 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
2007Avoid91117223.5
2008Caution6486323.5
2009Caution7360323.5
2010Good2720223.5
2011Good3629025

All Scion TC years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Scion TC a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Scion TC ranks #4 of 12 among TC model years (Complaint Index 73/100, verdict: Caution). It has 60 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Scion TC?
The most reported problem areas are engine (23 complaints), structure & body (10 complaints), and airbags (9 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 45,741 miles.
Does the 2009 Scion TC have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 Scion TC, most recently reported 2010, covering other.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Scion TC?
EPA rates the 2009 Scion TC at 23.5 MPG combined (20.5 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750. 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.