RoadVitals

2016 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.
6
Latest Apr 3, 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.
3
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.
1
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Scion Tc, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and seat belts categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 37 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

  • Body & structure133.3%
  • Brakes133.3%
  • Seat belts133.3%

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

3 campaigns 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
18E091000

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
16V420000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Jun 9, 2016
4,253 units potentially affected
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
The risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLCManufacturer number SET-16CView on NHTSA.gov
16V236000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; TIRES

Apr 22, 2016
94 units potentially affected
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
The risk: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLCManufacturer number SET16AView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Seat belts
Filed Apr 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Scion TC. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side seat belt retractor failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed front driver's side seat belt retractor. The contact was informed that the front driver's side seat belt retractor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11652610
Incident
Apr 2, 2025
Mileage
143,000 mi
Filed Apr 23, 2023

While driving on the interstate, all of a sudden, I hear a loud bang. This sound sounded like a tire blew or a gun shot. Then I see glass rolling down the back windshield. After inspecting, it was the sunroof/moonroof that exploded outwords as if there was some pressure from the heat built up.My brother was in the backseat, luckily the windshield was closed. He could have gotten seriously hurt from the glass debris falling onto him or into his eyes.After researching, this is a common situation for this model car, being the number 1 car reported for similar incidents.

NHTSA ID
11518542
Incident
Apr 23, 2023
Brakes
Filed Apr 15, 2022

I have a recall on my brakes. I took it to toyota in newnan ga. they said it would be a few hours and I asked for a rental because it was my only day off and I have 3 kids and errands to run. They then proceded to tell me I dont have a recall. They lied to get out of letting me use a rental or another car. My brakes go bad alot its so unusual. I hope Toyota insures my safety with their lack of care and effort.

NHTSA ID
11460832
Incident
Apr 22, 2020
Filed Jan 21, 2019

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE MOONROOF SHATTERED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WAS NOT NEAR ANY OVERPASSES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THEM JUST SHATTERING AND THE MANUFACTURERS/DEALERSHIPS WON'T DO ANYTHING. NOW I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR A ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN AND THEY WON'T COVER IT!

NHTSA ID
11171202
Incident
Jan 18, 2019
Mileage
12,400 mi
Filed May 30, 2018
2 injuries reported

THE SUNROOF OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 60MPH. THERE ARE SHATTERED GLASS ALL OVER ME AND ESPECIALLY TO MY PASSAGE AT THE FRONT. THE FREEWAY IS WIDE-OPEN, WITHOUT DEBRIS AND NOTHING OVERHEAD. ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF ITSELF WAS CLOSED WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. IT WAS A CLOUDY DAY, AT SEA-LEVEL WITH NOTHING EXTREME IN THE WEATHER REPORT. I COULD NOT THINK OF ANYTHING EXTERNAL THAT COULD INITIATE THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11098855
Incident
May 26, 2018
Mileage
47,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 28, 2018
Crash reported2 injuries reported

STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED. COLLISION REPAIR SHOP NOTED THERE WAS UNIBODY/FRAME DAMAGE BUT WAS NOT TOTALED OUT. NOW WE CANNOT TRADE IN VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DAMAGE IS SHOWING UP ON THE CARFAX AND NOBODY WANTS TO TOUCH IT. WE CANNOT GET OUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR THE REPAIR SHOP TO REMOVE THAT INFO FROM THE CARFAX BECAUSE THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. WE ARE STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE DRIVING A VEHICLE AROUND WITH FRAME DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID
11065543
Incident
Jan 13, 2017
Mileage
30,000 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-TT-0115-18

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

TSB: Some vehicles may display a 22-digit request code when attempting to perform a navigation map update.

S-TT-0116-19

EQUIPMENT

TT: In certain cases of leaking air conditioning systems, the root cause of the leak is inadvertently overlooked, causing a repeat repair. To improve customer satisfaction and repair A/C system leaks in one dealer visit, Toyota has developed a set of guidelines for evaluating A/C system components.

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-TT-0109-17

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TT: During previous air conditioning service, leakage prevention agent (A/C stop leak) may have been added to the A/C system. Adding stop leak products to the A/C system is not a recommended or approved Scion repair process. During A/C service, moisture enters the A/C system, and can react with the previously added A/C stop leak, forming a gelatinous substance. The gel substance that forms can cause the A/C compressor to bind and or seize.

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
2016Viewing630—
2015223057.5
2014201053.1
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.