2009 Scion Tc problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (14) · Vehicle Speed Control (8) · Air Bags (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Scion Tc model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
42 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles
Defect: GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
Defect: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Service bulletins (118)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:engine Coolant Hoses And Fittings 2020-12-11 · S-TT-0117-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tt: hvac drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2017-01-12 · ZE7 Phase 2 POL1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
warranty policy bulletin: toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. toyota is now announcing the part replacement phase of warranty enhancement program ze7 for vehicles exhibiting excessive engine oil consumption.
Engine 2016-08-04 · ZE7_Warranty Pol · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
warranty policy bulletin (pol14-12): added the short block release authorization flow chart. toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. toyota is now announcing the part replacement phase of warranty enhancement program ze7 for vehicles exhibitin
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2016-08-04 · ZE7 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
warranty policy bulletin (pol14-12): added the short block release authorization flow chart. toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. toyota is now announcing the part replacement phase of warranty enhancement program ze7 for vehicles exhibitin
Equipment 2016-06-24 · POL14-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
warranty policy bulletin (pol14-12): toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. toyota is now announcing the part replacement phase of warranty enhancement program ze7 for vehicles exhibiting excessive engine oil consumption.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2015-11-18 · ZE7_Phase 2_Warr · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
wpb: the engine is covered under the toyota new vehicle limited warranty for 5 years from the date of first use or 60,000 miles (whichever occurs first). however, toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to cover warranty work for parts replacement to address excessive engine oil consumpt
Showing the 6 most recent of 118 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-29 · Engine“sold a as is trade in vehicle that had no warning lights on dashboard or window info on safety defective emmisons and ecm and has not been very helpful with my vehicle i have not been able to drive because of safety concerns with recent discovery of codes that showed after getting a new battery for my new way of commuteing to work and live daily ac…”
2026-03-28 · Unknown Or Other“i believe my emmisons had malfunctioning part # 77740-21011 called used auto sales agent 5 mins after purchasing on 3/1 because i was at gas station having unusual fuel pumping problems that made it very difficult to put gas in had a constant clicking happen and the dealer on the phone told me there was no issues with my new vehicle and after check…”
2024-05-22 · Engine“my scion tc is using an extreme amount of oil to where i am putting 2-3 quarts in the motor per week. the extreme usage of oil can cause the engine to blow up due to lack of oil staying in the engine. my oil light will flash after couple days indicating low oil. a dangerous situation that can happen is the engine stop working while i'm driving on …”
2022-06-13 · Power Train · 150,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 scion tc. the contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, he slowed for a traffic light and the vehicle failed to shift out of third gear. the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle revved without moving. additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle occasionally slipped out of gear and failed to exceed 1…”
2022-03-09 · Tires · 💥 crash“just entered the interstate and was 2 miles from home when the car started shaking cause the car to make a sudden hard right across multiple lanes of traffic going down an embankment and hitting trees. witness who saw the accident while traveling behind the car saw smoke coming from driver rear tire, then car began to shake and car abruptly went to…”
2021-09-15 · Engine“2009 scion tc consumes to much engine oil due to bad pistons installed by manufacture and needs to be repaired before major engine problems occur. i also found out i’m not the only one having this issue. i’ve just purchased the vehicle.8…”
2021-04-07 · Engine“the bolts i. the motor mount work there way out and causes complete total of the vehicle…”
2019-06-13 · Air Bags · 255,000 mi · 💥 crash“i had a bad mva accident on 6/12/2019 @ 0815am in the morning, a lady t bone me with fast impaction, the airbags did not deploy nor the side air bag curtains deployed during the accident. the airbags did malfunction in my opinon and caused me to hit my head and chest hard on the steering wheel. i was wearing my seatbelt the entire time as well. the…”
2019-04-30 · Engine · 73,000 mi“my 2009 scion tc has been burning through oil at a fast rate causing me to have to fill it up with oil every week. i stay pretty local and rarely go out of town with my vehicle. it is causing a very rough idle in my car. i saw there was a recall but it has not gone through with it. by the looks of many complaints with the same problem as mine needs…”
2018-10-30 · Tires · 73,000 mi“i took the car in for air pressure check.they tire shop said tires were extremely unsafe. both front tires had signs of damage. they were purchased at the same time and are 1 year old not worn down. were the tread and sidewall meet, the tread looks like its going to peel off took tire to another dealer and and they said i have never seen a tire…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.