YearToAvoid

2016 Scion TC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2016 Scion TC ranks as a Best year among 12 model years, with just 6 complaints and a complaint index of 18. It has 2 recalls, both for incorrect load-label placement, not safety defects, and no do-not-drive recalls.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
18/100
#10 of 12 TC years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
6
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
23 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2016 Scion TC problems

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

  1. Other3 (50%)
  2. Brakes1 (17%)
  3. Seat Belts1 (17%)
  4. Structure & Body1 (17%)

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 brake performance that feels inconsistent, calling it unusual even after a brake-related recall visit.
  • A seat belt retractor on the driver's side reportedly failed to retract while the vehicle was parked, at 143,000 miles.
  • One owner reported a rear-end collision at 30,000 miles that caused unibody and frame damage, complicating resale despite repairs.
2016 Scion TC complaints: complaints filed per month1Jan 2018May 2018Jan 2019Apr 2022Apr 2023Apr 2025
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2018 to Apr 2025; peak Jan 2018 (1).

2016 Scion TC recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V420000Jun 9, 2016Other4,253 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

    Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

  2. NHTSA 16V236000Apr 22, 2016Other94 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

    Risk: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.

2016 Scion TC fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
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.

2016 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
2014Caution5520026
2015Good4522226
2016Best186226

All Scion TC years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Scion TC reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Scion TC ranks as a Best year among 12 model years of the TC, with only 6 complaints and a complaint index of 18.
What problems does the 2016 Scion TC have?
The top problem area is Brakes, followed by isolated reports involving seat belts and structure/body damage. Each area accounts for 17% of the 6 total complaints.
Does the 2016 Scion TC have any recalls?
Yes, two recalls were issued in 2016, both for an inaccurate Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
What year Scion TC should I avoid?
Based on complaint index and verdict, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 82, 100, and 91 respectively, while 2016 is rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Scion TC?
EPA rates the 2016 Scion TC at 26 mpg combined (23 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.

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.