YearToAvoid

2010 Scion TC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2010 Scion TC ranks 9th out of 12 model years with a complaint index of 27 and earns a Good verdict. It has 20 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, making it far less problematic than the 2005-2007 Avoid years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
27/100
#9 of 12 TC years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
20
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2012
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23.5
20.5 city / 28 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2010 Scion TC problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine7 (35%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers4 (20%)
  3. Brakes3 (15%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (15%)
  5. Other2 (10%)
  6. Airbags1 (5%)
  7. Fuel System1 (5%)
  8. Steering1 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (5%)

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 the steering becoming unresponsive at highway speed, causing the vehicle to veer into a median.
  • Some report the tires losing traction in wet conditions during braking, with airbags failing to deploy in the resulting spin.
  • Brake pedals were described as feeling spongy and traveling too far toward the floor, delaying stopping response.
  • Owners report tires developing cracked sidewalls and losing air repeatedly, requiring weekly refills.
  • Sunroof glass and deflectors reportedly shattered without impact while driving.
  • Sun visors are described as falling out of position on their own, blocking the driver's view.
2010 Scion TC complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2010Jan 2013May 2014Apr 2015Feb 2017Aug 2021
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Mar 2022; peak Feb 2014 (2).

2010 Scion TC recalls

2 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.

2010 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.

2010 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
2008Caution6486323.5
2009Caution7360323.5
2010Good2720223.5
2011Good3629025
2012Best08125

All Scion TC years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Scion TC reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Scion TC has a complaint index of 27 and a Good verdict, ranking 9th out of 12 model years for this model.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Scion TC?
Engine complaints make up 35% of reports, followed by visibility and wiper issues at 20% and brakes and suspension each at 15%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2010 Scion TC have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Scion TC, both related to tire and rim label compliance, and neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2010 Scion TC compare to other years?
The 2010 model has far fewer complaints (20) than the 2005-2007 Avoid years (155, 161, and 117 complaints), and its complaint index of 27 is much lower than the 2006 model's index of 100.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Scion TC?
EPA rates the 2010 Scion TC at 23.5 mpg combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750.

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.