Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2013 Scion TC with NHTSA between 2012 and 2025.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 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 — 100
33.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% 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 2013 Scion TC
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
325.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 38,500 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
325.0%
Median failure at 66,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
216.7%
Median failure at 37,000 miles
Airbags
216.7%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 59,250 mi
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Median failure at 14,000 miles
Body & Structure
18.3%
Median failure at 14,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
110.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
330.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
220.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
110.0%
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.
Dec 2012peak 3Jul 2025
Recalls on the 2013 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 80,000 milesWsco, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS TURNING INTO A BUSY SHOPPING CENTER AT 5ISH PM AND THE SUN WAS DIRECTLY IN MY EYES AND I SWERVED TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXITING /ENTRANCE LANE AND I RAN HEAD ON INTO A SOLID CEMENT PILLAR LIGHT POLE , ESTIMATED MPH WAS 20 -25 MPH , I WAS WEARING SEATBELT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I HAVE BROKE RIBS AND POSSIBLE FRACTURED STERNUM, I HIT MY HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND HAD A KNOT THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL , I'M SEEING A DOCTOR TOMORROW TO DETERMINE EXACT EXTENT OF INJURIES BUT PHOTOS OF MY CAR WILL SHOW THE FORCE OF IMPACT AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED , THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKE BY A AUTHORIZED GM DEALERS COLLISION REPAIR SHOP
NHTSA complaint #11165750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,500 milesFrisco, TXCrash
AIR BAGS
BREAK FAILURE LED TO ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OFFICER ON THE SCENE INFORMED THE WHEN THE VEHICLES CRUNCH ZONE IS ENABLED THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY TO AVOID INJURIES OF ANY PASSENGER OR DRIVER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL VIBRATED VIGOROUSLY THUS NOT SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN TO AVOID A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10779377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,500 milesFrisco, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
BREAK FAILURE LED TO ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OFFICER ON THE SCENE INFORMED THE WHEN THE VEHICLES CRUNCH ZONE IS ENABLED THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY TO AVOID INJURIES OF ANY PASSENGER OR DRIVER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL VIBRATED VIGOROUSLY THUS NOT SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN TO AVOID A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10779377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Anaheim, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
UNKNOWN. I was unaware of my car's recall notice. I had known only when my car's regular smog check was due. The problem that my car may have had not been confirmed by dealer or independent service center nor has it been inspected by manufacturer, police, or others. There are also no warning lamps or messages of the problem. However, there are symptoms like pushing the brakes when driving my car and it squeaks. I had installed new brake pads over 2 years ago. I don't know why it continues to squeak when I am pushing the brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11672897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesLowell, NC
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE JUST CUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT COULD ONLY SHIFT INTO THE FIRST GEAR AND SLOWLY PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION WITH THE VEHICLE MOVING ONLY ABOUT 10 MPH WITH THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO A NEARBY RELATIVE'S HOUSE AT ABOUT 15 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD SPOKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE ISSUE WAS MOST LIKELY WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11382827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wahiawa, HI
SERVICE BRAKES
DID NOT GET NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11185598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesWsco, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS TURNING INTO A BUSY SHOPPING CENTER AT 5ISH PM AND THE SUN WAS DIRECTLY IN MY EYES AND I SWERVED TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXITING /ENTRANCE LANE AND I RAN HEAD ON INTO A SOLID CEMENT PILLAR LIGHT POLE , ESTIMATED MPH WAS 20 -25 MPH , I WAS WEARING SEATBELT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I HAVE BROKE RIBS AND POSSIBLE FRACTURED STERNUM, I HIT MY HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND HAD A KNOT THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL , I'M SEEING A DOCTOR TOMORROW TO DETERMINE EXACT EXTENT OF INJURIES BUT PHOTOS OF MY CAR WILL SHOW THE FORCE OF IMPACT AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED , THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKE BY A AUTHORIZED GM DEALERS COLLISION REPAIR SHOP
NHTSA complaint #11165750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesPalmer, AK
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE HAS 66444 MILES AND THROW OUT BEARING / INPUT SHAFT IS MAKING NOISE
NHTSA complaint #11084542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesColumbus, OH
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SECONDARY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. RANDOM EXPLOSION THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. SUNNY AND 45 DEGREE WEATHER IN CENTRAL OHIO
NHTSA complaint #11076144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,500 milesFrisco, TXCrash
AIR BAGS
BREAK FAILURE LED TO ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OFFICER ON THE SCENE INFORMED THE WHEN THE VEHICLES CRUNCH ZONE IS ENABLED THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY TO AVOID INJURIES OF ANY PASSENGER OR DRIVER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL VIBRATED VIGOROUSLY THUS NOT SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN TO AVOID A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10779377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,500 milesFrisco, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
BREAK FAILURE LED TO ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OFFICER ON THE SCENE INFORMED THE WHEN THE VEHICLES CRUNCH ZONE IS ENABLED THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY TO AVOID INJURIES OF ANY PASSENGER OR DRIVER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL VIBRATED VIGOROUSLY THUS NOT SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN TO AVOID A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10779377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesSyracuse, UT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A FEW DAYS AGO, WE WERE DRIVING WHEN OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED. WE HEARD THE LOUDEST BANG I HAVE HEARD AND THEN GLASS STARTED FALLING THROUGH THE EDGES OF THE SUN SHADE THAT WAS CLOSED. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SUN SHADE, I AM SURE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS SHARDS, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD HAVE WRECKED THE CAR. WHEN WE PULLED OVER THE MOON ROOF WAS OBVIOUSLY BLOWN OUTWARD, WHICH I HAVE PICTURES OF. AFTER A BRIEF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS A COMMON ONE. WHEN MY WIFE CALLED TOYOTA THE FIRST GUY SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE, BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE EXTRA BUMP TO BUMPER WARRANTY, WE BOUGHT. TOYOTA REFERRED ME TO THE TOLL FREE NUMBER (1-800-331-4331) TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AND SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. TOYOTA GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER (1507133039) AND SAID SOMEONE FROM CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULD BE CALLING ME BACK. THE GUY THAT CALLED ME BACK WAS DENNIS KING FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERDALE, UTAH WHERE WE FIRST CALLED, AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOYOTA THAT AUTHORIZES ANY REPAIR. I HAVE INCLUDED JUST A FEW OF THE WEB LINKS THAT DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF EXPLODING MOON ROOFS. HTTP://WWW.WJLA.COM/ARTICLES/2014/07/7-ON-YOUR-SIDE-EXPLODING-SUNROOFS-ARE-MORE-COMMON-THAN-YOU-MIGHT-THINK-105226.HTML . HTTP://WWW.USGLASSMAG.COM/AGRR/BACKISSUES/2013/JANUARYFEBRUARY/PLAYINGSHERLOCK__FEATURE.HTM HTTP://WWW.NBCNEWYORK.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/SHATTERED-GLASS-SUNROOF--293692881.HTML
NHTSA complaint #10734142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesSyracuse, UT
STRUCTURE:BODY
A FEW DAYS AGO, WE WERE DRIVING WHEN OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED. WE HEARD THE LOUDEST BANG I HAVE HEARD AND THEN GLASS STARTED FALLING THROUGH THE EDGES OF THE SUN SHADE THAT WAS CLOSED. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SUN SHADE, I AM SURE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS SHARDS, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD HAVE WRECKED THE CAR. WHEN WE PULLED OVER THE MOON ROOF WAS OBVIOUSLY BLOWN OUTWARD, WHICH I HAVE PICTURES OF. AFTER A BRIEF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS A COMMON ONE. WHEN MY WIFE CALLED TOYOTA THE FIRST GUY SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE, BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE EXTRA BUMP TO BUMPER WARRANTY, WE BOUGHT. TOYOTA REFERRED ME TO THE TOLL FREE NUMBER (1-800-331-4331) TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AND SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. TOYOTA GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER (1507133039) AND SAID SOMEONE FROM CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULD BE CALLING ME BACK. THE GUY THAT CALLED ME BACK WAS DENNIS KING FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERDALE, UTAH WHERE WE FIRST CALLED, AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOYOTA THAT AUTHORIZES ANY REPAIR. I HAVE INCLUDED JUST A FEW OF THE WEB LINKS THAT DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF EXPLODING MOON ROOFS. HTTP://WWW.WJLA.COM/ARTICLES/2014/07/7-ON-YOUR-SIDE-EXPLODING-SUNROOFS-ARE-MORE-COMMON-THAN-YOU-MIGHT-THINK-105226.HTML . HTTP://WWW.USGLASSMAG.COM/AGRR/BACKISSUES/2013/JANUARYFEBRUARY/PLAYINGSHERLOCK__FEATURE.HTM HTTP://WWW.NBCNEWYORK.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/SHATTERED-GLASS-SUNROOF--293692881.HTML
NHTSA complaint #10734142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesSyracuse, UT
VISIBILITY/WIPER
A FEW DAYS AGO, WE WERE DRIVING WHEN OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED. WE HEARD THE LOUDEST BANG I HAVE HEARD AND THEN GLASS STARTED FALLING THROUGH THE EDGES OF THE SUN SHADE THAT WAS CLOSED. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SUN SHADE, I AM SURE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS SHARDS, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD HAVE WRECKED THE CAR. WHEN WE PULLED OVER THE MOON ROOF WAS OBVIOUSLY BLOWN OUTWARD, WHICH I HAVE PICTURES OF. AFTER A BRIEF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS A COMMON ONE. WHEN MY WIFE CALLED TOYOTA THE FIRST GUY SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE, BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE EXTRA BUMP TO BUMPER WARRANTY, WE BOUGHT. TOYOTA REFERRED ME TO THE TOLL FREE NUMBER (1-800-331-4331) TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AND SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. TOYOTA GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER (1507133039) AND SAID SOMEONE FROM CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULD BE CALLING ME BACK. THE GUY THAT CALLED ME BACK WAS DENNIS KING FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERDALE, UTAH WHERE WE FIRST CALLED, AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOYOTA THAT AUTHORIZES ANY REPAIR. I HAVE INCLUDED JUST A FEW OF THE WEB LINKS THAT DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF EXPLODING MOON ROOFS. HTTP://WWW.WJLA.COM/ARTICLES/2014/07/7-ON-YOUR-SIDE-EXPLODING-SUNROOFS-ARE-MORE-COMMON-THAN-YOU-MIGHT-THINK-105226.HTML . HTTP://WWW.USGLASSMAG.COM/AGRR/BACKISSUES/2013/JANUARYFEBRUARY/PLAYINGSHERLOCK__FEATURE.HTM HTTP://WWW.NBCNEWYORK.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/SHATTERED-GLASS-SUNROOF--293692881.HTML
NHTSA complaint #10734142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesWintervill, NC
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT AN ABNORMAL WHINING SOUND. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SOUND WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
NHTSA complaint #10487672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.