RoadVitals

2014 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.
20
Latest Sep 29, 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.
1
Latest Sep 20, 2018
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.
0
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.
7
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Scion Tc, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 87 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

  • Brakes832.0%
  • Electrical416.0%
  • Airbags312.0%
  • Other / unspecified312.0%
  • Steering28.0%
  • Suspension28.0%
  • Body & structure14.0%
  • Visibility14.0%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Sep 20, 2018
544 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.
The risk: Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number J0UView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesSuspension
Filed Sep 29, 2025
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

Vehicle is not available for inspection upon request due to the vehicle being in an accident. As a result from the accident, the vehicle was a complete loss and beyond the point of repair. Without pulling the vehicle computer for operation list before accident occurred, it is specifically unknown what component or system failed and or malfunctioned. looking at pictures taken the night of and days after it seems like it was a steering/suspension, or possible wheel malfunction that was unable to keep the car under and in control to be brought to a full stop before the point of impact and accident occurred.

NHTSA ID
11690231
Incident
Oct 24, 2017
Electrical
Filed Jul 13, 2022

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE HOUSING AROUND THE AIR CONDITIONER FILLS WITH WATER FROM CONDENSATION, THE DRAINAGE TUBE IS NARROW AND CLOGS, WHICH CAUSES THE WATER TO DRIP OUT OF THE HOUSING AND INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR WHERE IT SWAMPS THE CARPETING FROM FRONT TO BACK. I KNOW AC NORMALLY DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A SAFETY CONCERN BUT TO MY UNDERSTANDING THERE IS ELECTRIC WIRING THAT RUNS UNDER THE CARPET THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT DESIGNED TO BE UNDER AN INCH OF WATER AND THEN THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR HARMFUL MOLD TO DEVELOP FROM THE WET CARPET. THE DEALER WILL CHARGE TO CLEAR THE CLOG BUT THEY HAVE SINCE TOLD ME THERE IS A PERMANENT FIX (AN AC CASING WITH BETTER DRAINAGE) WHICH COSTS MORE THAN $2000 TO INSTALL. A SIMPLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS TOYOTA HAS BEEN IGNORING THIS DESIGN FLAW AND THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE MODEL REDESIGN IN 2011. THEY HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WHICH CAN EFFECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS. I KNOW A NARROW TUBE DRAIN LINE SEEMS LIKE A MINOR THING BUT THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO HAPPEN IN MOST CARS. WHILE IT HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR SCION TC OWNERS SINCE 2011. I DRIVE A 2014. THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME FOR TOYOTA TO OFFER A BETTER CASING OR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING SINCE MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY DESPITE THAT MY CAR WAS IN FOR THIS TEMPORARY REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY NEVER OFFERED THE PERMANENT FIX UNTIL NOW.

NHTSA ID
11473661
Incident
Jul 1, 2022
Brakes
Filed Apr 22, 2021
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SCION TC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18E091000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT FAILED TO RESPOND, WHICH RESULTED IN HIM REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,100.

NHTSA ID
11413369
Incident
Apr 21, 2021
Mileage
123,100 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2020

HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT RECALL

NHTSA ID
11341763
Incident
Jul 9, 2020
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Mar 6, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 522 GOING 60MPH AT 11:30PM. THE HIGHWAY WAS SMOOTH AND HAD NO BUMPS THEN RANDOMLY THE WHEEL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF THE CAR AND WENT FLYING. POLICE OFFICERS AND STATE TROOPERS LOOKED FOR THE WHEEL AND THEY COULDN'T FIND IT. LUCKILY I REMEMBERED IN DRIVERS ED THAT WHEN A TIRE BLOWS OUT (EVEN THOUGH THIS SITUATION IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT) YOU FIRMLY HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND HOLD IT STRAIGHT. THE CAR THEN STRAIGHTENED OUT AND STOPPED ONCE I RAN INTO THE RAILING.

NHTSA ID
11316636
Incident
Feb 4, 2020
Mileage
80,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Feb 26, 2020

MI VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE BRAKES HAVE A SOUND AND THE AIR BAG IS TURN ON

NHTSA ID
11311554
Incident
Feb 26, 2020
Brakes
Filed Jun 16, 2019

MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERJ0U NHTSA RECALL NUMBER18E091 I'VE BEEN WARNED ABOUT THIS RECALL FOR MY VEHICLES BRAKES, AND I NOTICED A LITTLE BEFORE I RECEIVED THIS WARNING THAT MY BRAKES ARE MAKING A STRANGE NOISE WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE BRAKE HOSE. I'VE ALSO NOTICED ON THE FREEWAY IF I WAS TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES THAT IT SLIDES A LITTLE MORE THA I WOULD EXPECT AND MAKES A PRETTY BAD GRINDING NOISE.

NHTSA ID
11220502
Incident
May 30, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Filed May 18, 2019

I HAD AN INCIDENT OF SPONTANEOUS GLASS BREAKAGE OF THE MOONROOF ON MY 2014 SCION TC. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I WAS IN A PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE IGNITION OFF. I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND SIMILAR TO THE SOUND OF A GUN SHOT. THE SOUND CAME FROM THE GLASS MOONROOF LOCATED BEHIND THE SUNROOF EXPLODING/SHATTERING. I WAS NOT DRIVING AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT THAT OCCURRED. THE EVENT WAS SPONTANEOUS AND HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE. BEING THAT I WAS STATIONARY THE GLASS IN THE MIDDLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY FALL IN AND THE OUTSIDE EDGES HAD SHATTERED AND WHERE FORCEFULLY THROWN ON TO THE CAR AND SURROUNDING AREAS. THE MIDDLE WAS ODDLY BALLOONED/DOMED IN THE MIDDLE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS 2 MILES AWAY AND FROM THAT SHORT DRIVE THE CENTER OF THE GLASS BEGAN TO CAVE IN AND ALLOW GLASS TO ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY ABOVE WHERE PASSAGES SIT IN THE BACK SEAT. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THE BACKSEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED OUR DIRECTLY OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WAS INJURED BY THIS. THROUGH FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT TEMPERED GLASS CAN SPONTANEOUSLY BREAK. SOME OF THE CAUSES OF THIS TO HAPPEN INCLUDE BINDING OF THE GLASS IN THE FRAME, CAUSING STRESSES TO DEVELOP AS THE GLASS EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS DUE TO THERMAL CHANGES OR DEFLECTS DUE TO WIND. INTERNAL DEFECTS WITHIN THE GLASS SUCH AS NICKEL SULFIDE INCLUSIONS. DAMAGES ACCRUED DURING INSTALLATION. THERMAL STRESSES IN THE GLASS AND INADEQUATE GLASS THICKNESS TO RESIST WIND LOAD. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER CLAIMS INCLUDING SCION TC'S AND THE MOONROOF BREAKING AND RISK OF SHOWERING GLASS ON TOP OF DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AND HAVE PUSHED IT OFF TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE GLASS SHOP AND COLLISION CENTER BELIEVE ITS FROM THE STRESS LOAD THE FRAME PUTS ON THE GLASS THAT CAUSED THIS SPONTANEOUS BREAK.

NHTSA ID
11208450
Incident
May 15, 2019
Mileage
54,157 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

S-TT-0117-20

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:ENGINE COOLANT HOSES AND FITTINGS

TT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.

20R001 Toyota Cu

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

DL: Toyota plans to send Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices for the above referenced campaigns to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.

S-S-0003-14_Obso

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE December 20, 2019: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

S-SB-0012-14-Rev

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TSB: REVISION NOTICE August 23, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2015 model year xB vehicles, 2015 ? 2016 model year tC vehicles, and 2016 model year iM vehicles. ? The Parts Information section has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Introduction. Some vehicles in particular geographic areas may exhibit a condition where the HVAC Evaporator Drain Hose has become obstructed with an insect nest. An insect repellent drain hose tip (ARINIX® Tip) is now available to help minimize future occurrences of this environmental condition. For some models, a new drain hose is required to properly fit the ARINIX® Tip.

S-SB-0035-13 Rev

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 10, 2016 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2015 model year xB vehicles, 2016 model year iM vehicles, and 2015 ? 2016 tC vehicles. ? The Parts Information section has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Some 2008 ? 2016 model year Scion vehicles may exhibit odors naturally occurring from the HVAC system and/or related environmental factors. Although there is no way to eliminate these odors, follow the General Procedure in this bulletin to minimize the odors experienced.

S-SB-0012-15

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

SSB: While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and life. Batteries can become discharged due to an extended storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, or while demonstrating vehicle features and benefits in the sales process. Battery inspection and maintenance are required in order to ensure proper operation and optimal battery life. As described in this bulletin, operating the engine for 30 minutes after 60 days in storage and every 30 days thereafter will help to maintain battery State of Charge (SOC). This process supplements other movements of the vehicle as it is staged, and has specific restrictions on how maintenance is to be done. Also described in this bulletin are 2 other approved methods for maintaining battery State of Charge.

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
2014Viewing201053.1
2013910
2012820
2011291041.0
2010202046.5
2009603060.0
2008863054.0
20071172055.1
20061615162.4
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.