RoadVitals

2013 Scion Tc Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
9
Latest Jul 11, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 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

  • Brakes327.3%
  • Powertrain (other)327.3%
  • Airbags218.2%
  • Visibility218.2%
  • Body & structure19.1%

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

UNKNOWN. I was unaware of my car's recall notice. I had known only when my car's regular smog check was due. The problem that my car may have had not been confirmed by dealer or independent service center nor has it been inspected by manufacturer, police, or others. There are also no warning lamps or messages of the problem. However, there are symptoms like pushing the brakes when driving my car and it squeaks. I had installed new brake pads over 2 years ago. I don't know why it continues to squeak when I am pushing the brakes.

NHTSA ID 11672897 · filed Jul 11, 2025

DID NOT GET NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID 11185598 · filed Mar 9, 2019

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE JUST CUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT COULD ONLY SHIFT INTO THE FIRST GEAR AND SLOWLY PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION WITH THE VEHICLE MOVING ONLY ABOUT 10 MPH WITH THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO A NEARBY RELATIVE'S HOUSE AT ABOUT 15 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD SPOKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE ISSUE WAS MOST LIKELY WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID 11382827 · filed Dec 10, 2020

VEHICLE HAS 66444 MILES AND THROW OUT BEARING / INPUT SHAFT IS MAKING NOISE

NHTSA ID 11084542 · filed Apr 11, 2018

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS TURNING INTO A BUSY SHOPPING CENTER AT 5ISH PM AND THE SUN WAS DIRECTLY IN MY EYES AND I SWERVED TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXITING /ENTRANCE LANE AND I RAN HEAD ON INTO A SOLID CEMENT PILLAR LIGHT POLE , ESTIMATED MPH WAS 20 -25 MPH , I WAS WEARING SEATBELT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I HAVE BROKE RIBS AND POSSIBLE FRACTURED STERNUM, I HIT MY HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND HAD A KNOT THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL , I'M SEEING A DOCTOR TOMORROW TO DETERMINE EXACT EXTENT OF INJURIES BUT PHOTOS OF MY CAR WILL SHOW THE FORCE OF IMPACT AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED , THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKE BY A AUTHORIZED GM DEALERS COLLISION REPAIR SHOP

NHTSA ID 11165750 · filed Jan 4, 2019

BREAK FAILURE LED TO ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OFFICER ON THE SCENE INFORMED THE WHEN THE VEHICLES CRUNCH ZONE IS ENABLED THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY TO AVOID INJURIES OF ANY PASSENGER OR DRIVER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL VIBRATED VIGOROUSLY THUS NOT SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN TO AVOID A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID 10779377 · filed Oct 2, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SECONDARY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. RANDOM EXPLOSION THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. SUNNY AND 45 DEGREE WEATHER IN CENTRAL OHIO

NHTSA ID 11076144 · filed Mar 4, 2018

A FEW DAYS AGO, WE WERE DRIVING WHEN OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED. WE HEARD THE LOUDEST BANG I HAVE HEARD AND THEN GLASS STARTED FALLING THROUGH THE EDGES OF THE SUN SHADE THAT WAS CLOSED. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SUN SHADE, I AM SURE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS SHARDS, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD HAVE WRECKED THE CAR. WHEN WE PULLED OVER THE MOON ROOF WAS OBVIOUSLY BLOWN OUTWARD, WHICH I HAVE PICTURES OF. AFTER A BRIEF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS A COMMON ONE. WHEN MY WIFE CALLED TOYOTA THE FIRST GUY SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE, BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE EXTRA BUMP TO BUMPER WARRANTY, WE BOUGHT. TOYOTA REFERRED ME TO THE TOLL FREE NUMBER (1-800-331-4331) TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AND SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. TOYOTA GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER (1507133039) AND SAID SOMEONE FROM CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULD BE CALLING ME BACK. THE GUY THAT CALLED ME BACK WAS DENNIS KING FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERDALE, UTAH WHERE WE FIRST CALLED, AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOYOTA THAT AUTHORIZES ANY REPAIR. I HAVE INCLUDED JUST A FEW OF THE WEB LINKS THAT DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF EXPLODING MOON ROOFS. HTTP://WWW.WJLA.COM/ARTICLES/2014/07/7-ON-YOUR-SIDE-EXPLODING-SUNROOFS-ARE-MORE-COMMON-THAN-YOU-MIGHT-THINK-105226.HTML . HTTP://WWW.USGLASSMAG.COM/AGRR/BACKISSUES/2013/JANUARYFEBRUARY/PLAYINGSHERLOCK__FEATURE.HTM HTTP://WWW.NBCNEWYORK.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/SHATTERED-GLASS-SUNROOF--293692881.HTML

NHTSA ID 10734142 · filed Jul 15, 2015

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

A FEW DAYS AGO, WE WERE DRIVING WHEN OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED. WE HEARD THE LOUDEST BANG I HAVE HEARD AND THEN GLASS STARTED FALLING THROUGH THE EDGES OF THE SUN SHADE THAT WAS CLOSED. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SUN SHADE, I AM SURE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS SHARDS, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD HAVE WRECKED THE CAR. WHEN WE PULLED OVER THE MOON ROOF WAS OBVIOUSLY BLOWN OUTWARD, WHICH I HAVE PICTURES OF. AFTER A BRIEF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS A COMMON ONE. WHEN MY WIFE CALLED TOYOTA THE FIRST GUY SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE, BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE EXTRA BUMP TO BUMPER WARRANTY, WE BOUGHT. TOYOTA REFERRED ME TO THE TOLL FREE NUMBER (1-800-331-4331) TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AND SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. TOYOTA GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER (1507133039) AND SAID SOMEONE FROM CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULD BE CALLING ME BACK. THE GUY THAT CALLED ME BACK WAS DENNIS KING FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERDALE, UTAH WHERE WE FIRST CALLED, AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOYOTA THAT AUTHORIZES ANY REPAIR. I HAVE INCLUDED JUST A FEW OF THE WEB LINKS THAT DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF EXPLODING MOON ROOFS. HTTP://WWW.WJLA.COM/ARTICLES/2014/07/7-ON-YOUR-SIDE-EXPLODING-SUNROOFS-ARE-MORE-COMMON-THAN-YOU-MIGHT-THINK-105226.HTML . HTTP://WWW.USGLASSMAG.COM/AGRR/BACKISSUES/2013/JANUARYFEBRUARY/PLAYINGSHERLOCK__FEATURE.HTM HTTP://WWW.NBCNEWYORK.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/SHATTERED-GLASS-SUNROOF--293692881.HTML

NHTSA ID 10734142 · filed Jul 15, 2015

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

Data on this page last refreshed .