RoadVitals

2015 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.
22
Latest Jun 24, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
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.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 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

  • Powertrain (other)624.0%
  • Airbags520.0%
  • Visibility520.0%
  • Electrical28.0%
  • Body & structure28.0%
  • Brakes28.0%
  • Driver assistance14.0%
  • Exterior lighting14.0%
  • Suspension14.0%

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

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Whining noise is heard when the clutch petal is released. Noise is coming from the input shaft bearing. Common failure on this model. Mechanic confirmed that is the issue. If the bearing completely fails could leave the car stranded and cause more damage to other transmission components. No warning lights but noise is very loud.

NHTSA ID 11524604 · filed May 31, 2023

TRANSMISSION DOES A HARSH/JERK DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT DOES IT RANDOMLY, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP SLOWLY. IT'S NOT SAFE, FEELS LIKE THE CAR LURCHES INTO 1ST. TOYOTA RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WAS OK FOR A BIT BUT CAME BACK. I'M THINKING IT'S THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR. TOYOTA SAID IT'S A LEARNING TRANSMISSION, BUT SOMETHINGS WRONG. IT'S SCARY TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC, AND ONLY HAVE 33K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGE BY TOYOTA LAST YEAR WITH THE WS AND IT HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THE CAR MAY STALL IN STOP AND GO OR LURCH SO HARD FIRM THE 2-1 DOWNSHIFT THAT I MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 11399316 · filed Mar 5, 2021

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2015 Scion TC. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained continuously illuminated while operating the vehicle. The contact stated that when the air bag warning light was illuminated, the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. However, an independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure might be associated with an inoperable clockspring. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID 11746288 · filed Jun 24, 2026

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON MONDAY DEC 28 HEADING TO WORK IT WAS RAINING HARD AND WAS DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED AS EVERYONE ELSE IN THE FREEWAY OUT OF NOWHERE MY STEERING TOOK OVER CONTROL AND I SPINNED AROUND HITTING THE CARPOOL LANE DIVIDER AND WAS TOSSED TO THE 4TH LANE AFTERWARDS. AT THAT MOMENT I WAS IN FRONT OF A SEMI TRUCK AND COULDN'T BRAKE IN TIME AND HIT ME SENDING ME BACK TO THE CARPOOL LANE ANY TIME OF THOSE HITS MY AIR BAGS NEVER TURNED ON.

NHTSA ID 11386439 · filed Jan 4, 2021

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Over the past 4-5 years, 2015 scion tc has had numerous electrical issues. Both driver and passenger electric door locks do not work. Head and tail lamp lights burn out frequently. Seems like a grounding issue? Car failed to start August 2021 due to electrical problems. 3rd party mechanic fixed the issue. Toyota Dealer-installed automatic start fails multiple times before starting car. Basic electrical mechanisms for a car made in 2015 should not be broken/failing. 2019 Air Conditioner wouldn't drain. Had to investigate and personally drain the tubes behind the passenger and driver side-pannels behind center counsel. The entire draining system for the cars air conditioner had clogged. 2015 Exterior Vinyl Pillars on sides of windshield started to fade. Brought it to Westbury Toyota and they said the sun caused it. I didn't even have the car for 6 months yet....

NHTSA ID 11460618 · filed Apr 13, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND SEATED IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND LIKE A SHATTERED GLASS. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE CENTER SUN ROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT OR INCIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID 11408420 · filed Apr 16, 2021

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Over the past 4-5 years, 2015 scion tc has had numerous electrical issues. Both driver and passenger electric door locks do not work. Head and tail lamp lights burn out frequently. Seems like a grounding issue? Car failed to start August 2021 due to electrical problems. 3rd party mechanic fixed the issue. Toyota Dealer-installed automatic start fails multiple times before starting car. Basic electrical mechanisms for a car made in 2015 should not be broken/failing. 2019 Air Conditioner wouldn't drain. Had to investigate and personally drain the tubes behind the passenger and driver side-pannels behind center counsel. The entire draining system for the cars air conditioner had clogged. 2015 Exterior Vinyl Pillars on sides of windshield started to fade. Brought it to Westbury Toyota and they said the sun caused it. I didn't even have the car for 6 months yet....

NHTSA ID 11460618 · filed Apr 13, 2022

TRANSMISSION DOES A HARSH/JERK DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT DOES IT RANDOMLY, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP SLOWLY. IT'S NOT SAFE, FEELS LIKE THE CAR LURCHES INTO 1ST. TOYOTA RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WAS OK FOR A BIT BUT CAME BACK. I'M THINKING IT'S THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR. TOYOTA SAID IT'S A LEARNING TRANSMISSION, BUT SOMETHINGS WRONG. IT'S SCARY TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC, AND ONLY HAVE 33K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGE BY TOYOTA LAST YEAR WITH THE WS AND IT HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THE CAR MAY STALL IN STOP AND GO OR LURCH SO HARD FIRM THE 2-1 DOWNSHIFT THAT I MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 11399316 · filed Mar 5, 2021

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRUCK AREA THAT MY BODY SHOP CANT IDENTIFY. PLS HELP FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11176458 · filed Feb 12, 2019

I WAS DRIVING 73 MPH ON A HIGHWAY (I-25) PASSING ANOTHER CAR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN THE CRACKLING SOUND OF GLASS RUNNING DOWN THE BACK OF THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE MOON ROOF. NO CAR WAS IN FRONT OF ME BUT IT WAS REALLY COLD COMING UP TO SANTA FE, NM. IT WAS ABOUT 18 DEGREES AND I HAD THE FOOT HEATER ON #3. I BELIEVE IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THE HEAT, ALTITUDE AND THE COLD GLASS THAT MADE MY MOON ROOF EXPLODE. VERY SCARY. DEALER SAID THEY DO NOT COVER WINDOWS!

NHTSA ID 10936210 · filed Dec 19, 2016

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CANT HANDLE A INSTANT BRAKE.

NHTSA ID 11194978 · filed Apr 9, 2019

2015 SCION TC 6 SPEED MANUAL. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL LOCK UP AFTER SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL PLUS DAYS AND I HAVE TO APPLY A LOT OF GAS FOR THE BRAKES TO RELEASE SO I CAN DRIVE THE CAR. AT THE TIME OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE THERE WAS SUCH A HUGE BANG THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I THOUGHT I RAN SOMETHING OVER. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM FROM THE FORCED RELEASE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT AND NOT SO MUCH OVER THE WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA AND OF COURSE IT THEY CAN'T VERIFY MY COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10704279 · filed Apr 7, 2015

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSION DOES A HARSH/JERK DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT DOES IT RANDOMLY, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP SLOWLY. IT'S NOT SAFE, FEELS LIKE THE CAR LURCHES INTO 1ST. TOYOTA RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WAS OK FOR A BIT BUT CAME BACK. I'M THINKING IT'S THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR. TOYOTA SAID IT'S A LEARNING TRANSMISSION, BUT SOMETHINGS WRONG. IT'S SCARY TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC, AND ONLY HAVE 33K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGE BY TOYOTA LAST YEAR WITH THE WS AND IT HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THE CAR MAY STALL IN STOP AND GO OR LURCH SO HARD FIRM THE 2-1 DOWNSHIFT THAT I MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 11399316 · filed Mar 5, 2021

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Over the past 4-5 years, 2015 scion tc has had numerous electrical issues. Both driver and passenger electric door locks do not work. Head and tail lamp lights burn out frequently. Seems like a grounding issue? Car failed to start August 2021 due to electrical problems. 3rd party mechanic fixed the issue. Toyota Dealer-installed automatic start fails multiple times before starting car. Basic electrical mechanisms for a car made in 2015 should not be broken/failing. 2019 Air Conditioner wouldn't drain. Had to investigate and personally drain the tubes behind the passenger and driver side-pannels behind center counsel. The entire draining system for the cars air conditioner had clogged. 2015 Exterior Vinyl Pillars on sides of windshield started to fade. Brought it to Westbury Toyota and they said the sun caused it. I didn't even have the car for 6 months yet....

NHTSA ID 11460618 · filed Apr 13, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Rear suspension components were loose on vehicle. My car was purchased with rear trd coilovers installed at factory. Suspension components were improperly tightened according to Toyota dealership who serviced my vehicle. Purchased car stock and never had suspension work done in the past. This is similar to NHTSA campaign 15v228000 recall on same car year/manufacturer/model/edition (2015 Scion tC release series 9.0) but my VIN was not part of the 114 out of the 2000 cars sold.

NHTSA ID 11424337 · filed Jul 12, 2021

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 .