2011 Scion Tc Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Scion Tc, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility618.2%
- Exterior lighting618.2%
- Engine412.1%
- Brakes412.1%
- Powertrain (other)39.1%
- Body & structure39.1%
- Driver assistance26.1%
- Airbags26.1%
- Electrical13.0%
- Suspension13.0%
- Tires & wheels13.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY 16 YO. HE WAS DRIVING HOME LAST EVENING WITH HIS 9YO BROTHER IN THE CAR AND THEY HEARD A LOUD POP. HE PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT HIS SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED. THANKFULLY THE INNER SHADE WAS CLOSED. NO SIGN OF IMPACT FROM ANY TYPE OF OBJECT AND NO KNOWN PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF. JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD. THANK GOODNESS MY KIDS WERE NOT INJURED OR COVERED IN GLASS SHARDS FROM THIS AND IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME.
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 40MPH AND SUDDENLY HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, I HEARD MY SUNROOF CRACKING ABOVE ME. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK, I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED ALONG THE LEFT, RIGHT AND BACK OF THE SUNROOF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ESTIMATE IT TO BE AROUND $1200-$1300 TO FIX. $800 FOR THE GLASS BY ITSELF. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME WHEN IT HAPPENED AND NOTHING ABOVE ME THAT COULD HAVE FALLEN AND DONE THIS. IF YOU HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, PLEASE CONTACT SCION TO LET THEM KNOW SO WE CAN GET A RECALL STARTED. 1-866-707-2466.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT'S 2020 AND I JUST BOUGHT A 2011 SCION TC. I TOOK IT TO AN INSPECTION STATION IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND SO I CAN HAVE I REGISTERED IN MARYLAND. MY VEHICLE FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE 2 REAR REVERSE LIGHTS, IT ONLY HAS ONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT HAVE A PORT OR WIRES FOR A REVERSE LIGHTS.
I REPORTED TO MY DEALER ABOUT THERE IS ONLY ONE BACKUP LIGHT WORKING. THEY SAID"THAT'S THE WAY IT IS". APPARENTLY THERE IS ONLY ONE INSTEAD OF 2 BACKUP LIGHTS. AT NIGHT IT IS A PROBLEM. I CAN'T SEE WHERE I'M BACKING INTO. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO ADD ANOTHER ONE. THAT MEANS, I'M STOCK WITH IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT A PRE-CERTIFIED 2011 SCION TC ON 5/8/2014, APPROX 10 DAYS LATER, WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH THE CAR STARTED TO RATTLE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. IT LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT TOYOTA DEALER/WARRANTY DOES NOT SEEM TO COVER. SEEMS LIKE OTHER FOLKS ARE HAVING THE SIMILAR ISSUE (FROM YOUTUBE). JUST WANTED TO RECORD THIS COMPLAINT. NOT REALLY AN ACCIDENT (SORRY - NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT FORUM). 2011 SCION TC HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TURRAX_X7B8 <--- BEST ONE THAT SOUNDS LIKE OUR TC HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JINQVKKS4ZM 2012 SCION TC WITH HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=5B-G_S_AX8Y. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANT ALONG WITH MY ABS LIGHT. MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HASN'T BEEN DOING RIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE DOING. ITS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR MY ENGINE IS MISSING. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Why did the dealer tell me this recall is not associated with my vin when I keep getting recall UNADDREESSED notices for my vehicle? This is a safety reason and a complete disconnect between dealerships and Toyota manufacture. I need this addressed immediately!
I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT 2011 SCION TC ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT AND RUNNING SMOOTH, THEN I HAD TO START PUSHING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AS IF IT WASNT WORKING. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND AS DOING SO I HIT THE BRAKES AND I BURNT SOME RUBBER BUT BASICALLY THE FRONT LOCKED UP ON ME AND I DRIFTED MY BACK END IN, THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WASNT GETTING MY BRAKES AT THEY'RE FULL POTENTIAL. SO I LOOKED UNDER MY CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR AROUND 2 HOURS, I CAME BACK TO FIND THAT I HAD LEAKING OIL OR SOMETHING UNDER BOTH FRONT TIRES, WHICH HAD ME BEGIN TO THINK IF THERE WAS A LEAK. A FRIEND THEN CAME UP TO ME AND TOLD ME HE HAD FOUND A RECALL FOR SOMETHING ON MY CAR. I CAME UPON YOUR WEBSITE AND PUT IN MY VIN AND CAME TO FIND OUT I HAVE AN UNREPAIRED RECALL ON MY BRAKE LINES. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SETTLED SO I DON'T HAVE FURTHER ISSUES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED A VERY LOUD NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED THE NOISE GOES AWAY. CAR HAS 90K THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THROW OFF CLUTCH BEARING, BUT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE IS HEARD AND TODAY THE CAR ALMOST STALLED TWICE AND IT FELT LIKE THE GEARS WERE GETTING STUCK AND THE CLUTCH WAS NOT RELEASING.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANT ALONG WITH MY ABS LIGHT. MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HASN'T BEEN DOING RIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE DOING. ITS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR MY ENGINE IS MISSING. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
EVERY NOW AND THEN I HEAR THIS RATTLING LOUD NOISE ON MY SUNROOF AT SLOW SPEED. I NOTICED THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER WHEN IT'S HOT ABOVE 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT IS HOT AND HUMID HERE. THE RATTLING NOISE DISAPPEARS AFTER A MINUTE. IT'S VERY STRANGE. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUNROOF SHATTERED,EXPLODED FROM OTHER OWNERS, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PARTICULAR MODEL RECALL BEFORE ANYBODY WILL HAVE A SERIOUS INJURY.
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (SPONTANEOUSLY). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANT ALONG WITH MY ABS LIGHT. MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HASN'T BEEN DOING RIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE DOING. ITS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR MY ENGINE IS MISSING. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. *TR
THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 7:00AM ON 2/6/12 ON THE 215 S. GOING AROUND 75MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FLOORED ALL THE WAY DOWN AS IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR FOOT ON IT. I PANICKED AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO BUT PRESS THE BRAKES. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED ME AROUND. I NOTICED CARS IN FRONT OF ME STARTING TO SLOW DOWN AS I WAS ENTERING TRAFFIC. BY THAT TIME MY CAR WAS GOING 100MPH ON ITS OWN BECAUSE I HAD REMOVED MY FEET FROM THE PETALS. I LAST MINUTE REACTED AND PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE PETAL AND PROPPED IT UP MYSELF AND IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SAN BERNARDINO THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND I HAD TO PICK IT UP. I WAS VERY UPSET THAT THEY WERE NOT TAKING ME SERIOUSLY ONLY BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE AND RETURNED THE CAR TO THEM AFTER HAVING TO PAY THEM SOME MONEY. I ASKED WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH THE CAR AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD RESELL IT. WHEN I SHOWED CONCERN FOR THE NEXT OWNERS SAFETY THEY TOLD ME "IT IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM ANYMORE" I WAS VERY DISSAPOINTED BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SINCE THE DAY I TURNED 18 AND HAVE ONLY BOUGHT TOYOTAS. I STILL CAN NOT BELEIVE THAT THEY WILL RESELL IT THE WAY IT IS AFTER THEY KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO IT NOT ONCE BUT 2 TIMES BEFORE, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO THAT CAR AGAIN. I AM PREGNANT AND AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I REACTED ON TIME AND WAS ABLE TO PROP THE PETAL BACK INTO PLACE IF I HADNT I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT ME AND MY BABY COULD HAVE GOT REALLY HURT NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. PLEASE CONTACT TOYOTA AND HAVE THEM DO FURTHER TESTS ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT RESULTS FATAL ONCE AGAIN IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO TOYOTA. ( ALSO, I HAD NO FLOOR MATS IN MY CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SCION TC. AFTER THE DRIVER AND A FRONT PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED BOTH DOORS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. A WHITE SUBSTANCE EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (AUTONATION TOYOTA LAS VEGAS, 6300 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89146, (702) 605-5801). THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN WHO CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT AT THE DEALER'S FOR OVER A MONTH AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON HIGHWAY 160 TOWARD MY HOME, WHEN A BUCK (DEER), RAN OUT INTO THE ROAD. I SWERVED TO MISS IT AND THEN HIT A TREE HEAD ON. I HIT THE BRAKES AT AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR COLLIDED INTO THE TREE HEAD ON. THE FORCE FROM THE CRASH MADE ME HIT MY HEAD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL TWO TIMES. MY HEAD, NECK, AND BACK HURT INSTANTLY. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL. I HAVE WITNESSES WHO STOPPED AND CALLED 911. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMS, AND POLICE GOT TO THE WRECK THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SMASHED IN. I WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAVE A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND THE TRAUMA CAUSED MY BRAIN THE COLLIDE WITH MY SKULL, BOUNCING IT FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. I STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS AND AM NOW IN SOUTHERN INDIANA REHAB HOSPITAL HAVING TO HAVE PHYSICAL THERAPY. THERE WAS OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE DAMAGES TO MYSELF AND TO THE CAR PROVES THAT THE IMPACT FROM THE COLLISION SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS CAR, THE SALES GUY KEPT TELLING US HOW SAFE THE CAR WAS AND ABOUT THE FIVE STAR RATING. I WANTED A SAFE CAR AND FELT GOOD ABOUT BUYING THE CAR. I ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 3 1/2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WRECK OCCURRED. THERE WERE ONLY 5112 MILES ON THE CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. I AM STILL DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS FROM THIS WRECK TODAY. PLEASE HELP! I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Scion TC. The contact stated that the vehicle was advertised on Facebook Market place with 183,000 miles. The contact stated that while purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that the odometer displayed 118,000. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the seller informed the contact that he had discovered there was a mileage discrepancy upon retrieving the Carfax report after purchasing the vehicle from the previous owner. The contact stated that based on the Carfax report, the mileage was 173,822 on February 6, 2024, but the mileage on the odometer was 118,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT 2011 SCION TC ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT AND RUNNING SMOOTH, THEN I HAD TO START PUSHING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AS IF IT WASNT WORKING. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND AS DOING SO I HIT THE BRAKES AND I BURNT SOME RUBBER BUT BASICALLY THE FRONT LOCKED UP ON ME AND I DRIFTED MY BACK END IN, THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WASNT GETTING MY BRAKES AT THEY'RE FULL POTENTIAL. SO I LOOKED UNDER MY CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR AROUND 2 HOURS, I CAME BACK TO FIND THAT I HAD LEAKING OIL OR SOMETHING UNDER BOTH FRONT TIRES, WHICH HAD ME BEGIN TO THINK IF THERE WAS A LEAK. A FRIEND THEN CAME UP TO ME AND TOLD ME HE HAD FOUND A RECALL FOR SOMETHING ON MY CAR. I CAME UPON YOUR WEBSITE AND PUT IN MY VIN AND CAME TO FIND OUT I HAVE AN UNREPAIRED RECALL ON MY BRAKE LINES. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SETTLED SO I DON'T HAVE FURTHER ISSUES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC EQUIPPED WITH TOYO PROXES ST II TIRES, SIZE P225/45/18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING LANES AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE DROVE OVER A REFLECTOR IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AS A REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .