2009 Scion TC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Scion TC has 60 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 73, and ranks 4th worst of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 45,740 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #4 of 12 TC years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 60
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 20.5 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 1
Top 2009 Scion TC problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine23 (38%)
- Structure & Body10 (17%)
- Airbags9 (15%)
- Brakes6 (10%)
- Other6 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (10%)
- Electrical System3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration, including cases where the engine surged after stopping at a light or entering a highway on-ramp.
- Several drivers report crashing after the vehicle accelerated on its own and brakes reportedly failed to stop it, leading to spins or guardrail impacts.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes at speeds around 20 to 75 mph.
- One report describes a seat belt tensioner igniting a fire in door pillar trim after a front-end collision.
- A rear tire reportedly blew out at highway speed and caused a crash into a guardrail.
2009 Scion TC recalls
3 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 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Scion TC reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2009 TC has a complaint index of 73 and ranks 4th worst among 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other TC years. Engine complaints make up 38% of reports.
- What problems does the 2009 Scion TC have?
- Engine issues lead with 23 complaints (38% share), followed by structure and body problems, airbag non-deployment, brake issues, and visibility/wiper concerns. Median mileage at engine failure was 48,240 miles.
- Does the 2009 Scion TC have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 TC, all related to labeling issues such as tire selection/rim compliance labels and load-carrying capacity labels. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Is the 2009 Scion TC better or worse than other TC years?
- It's worse than 2010-2013, 2015, and 2016, which carry Good or Best verdicts with lower complaint indexes, but better than 2005, 2006, and 2007, which are rated Avoid.