2011 Scion Tc problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (6) · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (3) · Service Brakes (3)
🧭 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
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2018-09-20 · campaign 18E091000 · 544 vehicles
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.
Risk: Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (87)
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.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2020-07-15 · 20R001 Toyota Cu · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner 2017-08-29 · S-SB-0012-14-Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 discarde
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner 2016-11-10 · S-SB-0035-13 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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. s
Engine 2015-06-15 · POL14-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota 2007-2015 camry,solara, corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, scion tc, xb: revised 5/19/ 2015 bulletin information involving warranty enhancement program regarding certain model vehicles extension due to excessive engine oil. *lj revised 4/30/2015. updated 08/31/2015. *lj updated 09/18/15.
Equipment 2015-05-26 · S-SB-0015-14 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
sb: flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ecus are released as field-fix procedures described in individual service bulletins. this bulletin details the techstream ecu flash reprogramming process and
Showing the 6 most recent of 87 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-12-01 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 183,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2011 scion tc. the contact stated that the vehicle was advertised on facebook market place with 183,000 miles. the contact stated that while purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that the odometer displayed 118,000. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the seller informed the contact t…”
2023-01-21 · Service Brakes“why did the dealer tell me this recall is not associated with my vin when i keep getting recall unaddreessed notices for my vehicle? this is a safety reason and a complete disconnect between dealerships and toyota manufacture. i need this addressed immediately!…”
2020-10-18 · Visibility/Wiper · 2 mi“bought this car for my 16 yo. he was driving home last evening with his 9yo brother in the car and they heard a loud pop. he pulled over to investigate the noise and discovered that his sunroof glass had shattered. thankfully the inner shade was closed. no sign of impact from any type of object and no known prior damage to the sunroof. just spontan…”
2020-06-05 · Exterior Lighting · 61,100 mi“it's 2020 and i just bought a 2011 scion tc. i took it to an inspection station in the state of maryland so i can have i registered in maryland. my vehicle failed the inspection because it does not have 2 rear reverse lights, it only has one on the driver's side. the passenger side does not have a port or wires for a reverse lights.…”
2020-04-26 · Suspension · 15 mi“i just recently bought 2011 scion tc about 3 months ago. everything was going great and running smooth, then i had to start pushing the brake to the floor, as if it wasnt working. then one day i was driving and i was turning into a parking lot and as doing so i hit the brakes and i burnt some rubber but basically the front locked up on me and i dri…”
2019-01-15 · Service Brakes“takata recall when braking in low speed you hear a loud sound of the break pads and the rotors hitting each other…”
2018-10-26 · Power Train · 90,000 mi“when the car is turned on and the clutch is released a very loud noise is heard from the undercarriage. when clutch is engaged the noise goes away. car has 90k the clutch has been replaced along with throw off clutch bearing, but mechanic stated that the problem is inside the transmission. while driving the car a very loud whining noise is heard an…”
2017-10-18 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2011 scion tc. after the driver and a front passenger exited the vehicle and closed both doors, the front passenger side air bag deployed with force. a white substance emitted into the interior and the front of the vehicle due to the failure. the vehicle was unoccupied. the vehicle was taken to a dealer (autonation toyota las…”
2016-05-04 · Exterior Lighting“i reported to my dealer about there is only one backup light working. they said"that's the way it is". apparently there is only one instead of 2 backup lights. at night it is a problem. i can't see where i'm backing into. it's a safety issue. they don't even know how to add another one. that means, i'm stock with it.…”
2016-05-04 · Structure:body“every now and then i hear this rattling loud noise on my sunroof at slow speed. i noticed that it has something to do with the weather when it's hot above 80 degrees fahrenheit. i live in florida and it is hot and humid here. the rattling noise disappears after a minute. it's very strange. after reading all the complaints about sunroof shattered,ex…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.