2012 Scion Tc problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (3) · Visibility/Wiper (2) · Electrical System (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Scion Tc model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Equipment:other:labels 2013-04-09 · campaign 13V123000 · 7,525 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicl
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
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
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2015-06-29 · S-SB-0012-15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ins
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2015-06-29 · S-SB-0012-15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ins
Showing the 6 most recent of 87 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-06-18 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 172,000 mi“i was driving on 60 freeway when my sunroof window exploded/shattered. i'm doing some research and its happening on this make and model frequently. i went to toyota and talked to them regarding if there is recall about it because looks like its a manufacturer defect. i ended up paying for it via my insurance. how can i as a consumer be protecte…”
2020-04-15 · Unknown Or Other“i have a safety recall on my vehicle. *tr…”
2019-08-21 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 63,200 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 scion tc. while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the sun roof exploded without warning or impact. priority toyota chesapeake (1800 greenbrier pkwy, chesapeake, va 23320, (757) 213-5000) was contacted and advised the contact to call the insurance company. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer w…”
2017-02-16 · Visibility/Wiper“i was driving to work at 55 mph. my sunroof was close, air conditioner was on and windows up because it was raining. while driving heard a loud noise thought it was someone that had an impact by other car. when i looked up my sunroof was all of the something gone. i looked in the driveway by my mirror and it was flying like a "freeze biz" for n…”
2015-07-24 · Visibility/Wiper · 13,350 mi“on my way home on i-10 there was no traffic near me, windows up sunroof closed ac on, my roommate with me we hear what sounded like a gun shot than a shower of glass. we pulled over to find the glass panel in the roof had shattered there was no impact mark(s) i drove straight to the place i got the car(new) (philpot motors in nederland tx) where i …”
2014-06-29 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 58,886 mi“driving to work in california, partly cloudy, around 60 degrees. all windows up, ac off, sunroof closed and visor shut. i am driving in the right lane at 65mph when i hear what sounds like a gunshot in my car followed by glass shattering and spraying over my car. i pullover to see that my sunroof had exploded from the inside outward. the whole in m…”
2013-09-23 · Electrical System · 31,000 mi“to date, i have had my vehicle repaired three times for the same malfunction. i worked with manufacturing and sales organizations and i have failed to receive substantiation beyond your organization's due diligence that my vehicle is safe for my family. these organizations have failed to diagnose the specific malfunction with my vehicle (electrica…”
2012-10-23 · Air Bags · 841 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2012 scion tc. the contact stated that while driving approximately 10 to 15 mph, he lost control of the vehicle swerved and crash head on into a telephone pole. upon impact the air bags failed to deploy. the driver received injuries to his head, neck and back. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed to an independent…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.