RoadVitals

2006 Scion Tc

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
161
Latest Jan 22, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Feb 3, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
36
32 injuries, 5 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 161 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Scion Tc, most frequently naming the visibility, body & structure and airbags categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 66 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10V036000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Feb 3, 2010
153,418 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
10V035000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Feb 3, 2010
271,417 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
The 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.
GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06V408000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Oct 26, 2006
29,542 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number 60HView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE06024ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

GLASS MOONROOF SHATTERS

Opened Jul 7, 2006
Closed Dec 6, 2006

ODI'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SUSTAIN MOONROOF SHATTERING AND/OR DAMAGE AT RATES COMPARABLE TO THOSE FOR MOST OTHER SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES.THIS REVIEW ALSO DISCLOSES THAT SUCH INCIDENTS OCCUR IN MOST VEHICLES WITH MOONROOFS AND THAT WHILE TEMPERED GLASS PANELS COMMONLY USED IN MOONROOF FABRICATION ARE SHATTER-RESISTANT, SOME CATASTROPHIC FAILURES DO IN FACT OCCUR.IMPACT WITH SMALL STONES OR ROAD DEBRIS MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE OR DELAYED SHATTER INCIDENTS, DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE GLASS MOONROOF PANEL.THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDES THAT INCIDENTS OF MOONROOF SHATTER ARE RANDOM OCCURRENCES THAT RESULT PRIMARILY FROM IMPACT WITH SMALL STONES OR OTHER OBJECTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THIS PE HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 161
Engine
Filed Jan 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Scion TC. The contact stated that after performing a vehicle inspection of the engine compartment, he became aware that the coolant reservoir was abnormally low; eventually finding a leak near the rear of the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the cylinder head bolts resulting in a coolant leak. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: S-SB-0004-11. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 287,000.

NHTSA ID
11637794
Incident
Jan 22, 2025
Mileage
287,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 30, 2020

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING FELL AND WAS DRAGGING IN THE BACK. PULLED OFF AND NOTICED THE PLASTIC PIECE FOR MY TRUNK HAD JUST FALLEN OFF. I HADN'T BEEN USING THE TRUNK.

NHTSA ID
11303005
Incident
Jan 27, 2020
Mileage
113,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT OR WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11243559
Incident
Aug 12, 2019
Mileage
110,000 mi
Filed May 19, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE MOON-ROOF/SUN-ROOF SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY. THE DAMAGE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY ANY OBJECT STRIKING THE GLASS. I HAVE DASHCAM FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT, IN WHICH TWO DISTINCT POPS CAN BE HEARD WHEN THE GLASS SHATTERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE EXTENSION MECHANISM (TWO SUPPORTS ON THE SIDES OF THE GLASS) WERE FULLY EXTENDED. IT IS MY ASSUMPTION THAT ONE OF THE SUPPORTS FAILED AND FULLY EXTENDED, FORCING THE GLASS TO BEND AND ULTIMATELY PUT ENOUGH STRESS ON THE GLASS TO FAIL, AT WHICH POINT THE OTHER SUPPORT FULLY EXTENDED. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PICTURES. IT APPEARS VIDEOS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE UPLOADED, BUT PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
11208529
Incident
May 17, 2019
Mileage
202,300 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 25, 2019

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, I NEED TO CHECK THE LEVEL EVERY MONTH AND ADD OIL IF NEEDED. WHEN I TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE RADIO TURNS ON ALONE OR TURNS ITSELF OFF, WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON. THESE 2 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.

NHTSA ID
11203782
Incident
Jan 2, 2017
Airbags
Filed Mar 25, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT I WAS THE PASSENGER .WE WERE ON CAR ACCIDENT WE ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE AIRBAGS NEVER COME OFF. I'M A QUADRIPLEGIC I BROKED C6. I FLEW OUT OFF THE SUN ROOF.THE CAR WAS ON MOTION ON A STREE. I WAS FOUND 62 FEET FROM THE CAR

NHTSA ID
11191500
Incident
Aug 25, 2013
Mileage
160,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 15, 2019

OIL CONSUMPTION

NHTSA ID
11187147
Incident
Mar 12, 2009
Engine
Filed Jan 2, 2019

ENGINE BLOCK BOLTS ARE ATTACHED TO AN ALUMINUM BODY OF THE ENGINE CAUSING BOLTS TO BECOME LOOSE WITH TIME AND CAN NOT RETHREAD. CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK FROM BOLT AREA

NHTSA ID
11164514
Incident
Dec 6, 2018

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

S-SB-0015-14 Rev

EQUIPMENT

SB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information.

S-SB-0015-14 Rev

ENGINE

SB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information.

S-SB-0005-15

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

SSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose the air conditioning system after a component failure. Refer to the applicable Repair Manual for vehicle specific repair procedures and parts.

S-SB-0005-15

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose the air conditioning system after a component failure. Refer to the applicable Repair Manual for vehicle specific repair procedures and parts.

S-SB-0023-11 Rev

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

SSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.

S-SB-0023-11 Rev

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

SSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Scion Tc by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016630—
2015223057.5
2014201053.1
2013910—
2012820—
2011291041.0
2010202046.5
2009603060.0
2008863054.0
20071172055.1
2006Viewing1615162.4
20051554365.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.