Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2012 Scion TC with NHTSA between 2012 and 2020.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 8
Against the median year of the Scion TC. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 95
56% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Scion TC
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
541.7%
Median failure at 61,043 miles
Other & Unspecified
325.0%
Median failure at 92,675 miles
Body & Structure
18.3%
Median failure at 13,350 miles
Brakes
18.3%
Airbags
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 841 mi
Electrical System
18.3%
Median failure at 31,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
111.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
333.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
150,000+ miles
222.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2012peak 3Jun 2020
Recalls on the 2012 Scion TC
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
Recall 201852439 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles equipped with the accessory Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Brake Kit, the stainless steel braided front brake hoses could fatigue over time, causing them to leak. A sudden brake fluid leak could result in longer braking distances, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will the remove the TRD Brake Kit and replace it with a standard equipment brake kit for that vehicle model.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 841 milesPhiladelphia, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 841.
NHTSA complaint #10481523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 172,000 milesPomona, CA
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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 PROTECTED IF THIS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? IT SEEMS THEY DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #11329502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesPomona, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 PROTECTED IF THIS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? IT SEEMS THEY DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #11329502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annandale, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11321158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annandale, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11321158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,200 milesSuffolk, VA
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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 WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SUBMIT A CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,200.
NHTSA complaint #11245457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Caguas, PR
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 NO REASON. I TRY TO MAKE A CLAIM WITH THE DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COVER ME. I ALSO MADE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY MAPFRE AND TOLD ME IT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT SO THEY DIDN'T COVER ME. THEY MVP TOYOTA DEALER IS CHARGING ME $4,359.25 FOR FIXING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10955130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,350 milesPhoneix, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TWO CARS ON THE LOT THAT DID THE SAME THING, BUT COMPLETELY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I CALLED MY INSUR, CO. ABOUT IT AND THAT TOLD ME THAT SHOULD BE WARRANTY DEAL. NO ONE HAD ANY INFORMATION TO HELP ME, AND I HAD SEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR...
NHTSA complaint #10736222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,350 milesPhoneix, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TWO CARS ON THE LOT THAT DID THE SAME THING, BUT COMPLETELY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I CALLED MY INSUR, CO. ABOUT IT AND THAT TOLD ME THAT SHOULD BE WARRANTY DEAL. NO ONE HAD ANY INFORMATION TO HELP ME, AND I HAD SEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR...
NHTSA complaint #10736222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,350 milesPhoneix, AZ
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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 WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TWO CARS ON THE LOT THAT DID THE SAME THING, BUT COMPLETELY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I CALLED MY INSUR, CO. ABOUT IT AND THAT TOLD ME THAT SHOULD BE WARRANTY DEAL. NO ONE HAD ANY INFORMATION TO HELP ME, AND I HAD SEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR...
NHTSA complaint #10736222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,886 milesArroyo Grande, CA
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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 MY SUNROOF IS ABOUT 1FT 6IN LONG AND ABOUT 8IN WIDE. THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE SUNROOF AND THE MIDDLE APPEARED TO LOOK LIKE PRESSURE BLEW OUT THE CENTER. LUCKY FOR ME MY VISOR WAS CLOSED SO THE GLASS REMAINS IN THERE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT IT TOOK ME 30 SECONDS TO FIND PLENTY OF EVIDENCE. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO DRIVERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. NO VEHICLE THAT HAS WINDOWS EXPLODING SPONTANEOUSLY IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I ASK THAT TOYOTA TAKE RESPONSIBILITY NOW BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10606851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,000 milesQueen Creek, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 (ELECTRICAL) AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAVE BEEN GUTTING MY VEHICLE PIECE BY PIECE DEVALUING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10544956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 841 milesPhiladelphia, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 841.
NHTSA complaint #10481523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.