Is the 2010 Scion TC reliable?

The 2010 Scion TC has 24 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Scion TC?

Top problems: ENGINE (7 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (4 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Scion TC?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Contact any Scion dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Scion TC?

The 2010 Scion TC gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Scion TC?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Scion TC is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Scion TC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Scion TC has 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 24. The most common issue is engine problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: excessive oil consumption leading to motor loss. this seems to be a known issue for vehicles that are regularly maintained and scheduled oil changes every 3-5,000 miles. it seems it should be handled as a recall by toyota if this many vehicles are having the same issue. excessive oil consumption. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

7 complaints

29%

• EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LEADING TO MOTOR LOSS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES EVERY 3-5,000 MILES. IT SEEMS IT SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL BY TOYOTA IF THIS MANY VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION
• VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY WHEN KNOCKING WAS HEARD AND ENGINE FAILIRE OCCURRED. WAS COASTED TO A STOP AND OIL WAS CHECKED. NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. NEW ENGINE NEEDED FOR VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS AT 80,000 AND OIL CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED. NO OIL LEAKS VISIBLE.
• ENGINE IS BURNING AT LEAST 1 QUART OF OIL PER WEEK AND ESTIMATED DRIVING MILES PER WEEK IS BETWEEN 200 MILES TO 300 MILES. THERE IS NO MAJOR OIL LEAKS ANYWHERE THAT I CAN SEE AND THERE IS NO OIL ON THE FLOOR WHERE THE CAR IS PARKED.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LEADING TO MOTOR LOSS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES EVERY 3-5,000 MILES. IT SEEMS IT SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL BY TOYOTA IF THIS MANY VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Scion TC

Based on 18 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 33K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS03/02/2010

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Scion TC

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Scion TC

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 24 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LEADING TO MOTOR LOSS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES EVERY 3-5,000 MILES. IT SEEMS IT SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL BY TOYOTA IF THIS MANY VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: ON 11/14/13 I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 75 IN TROY, MICHIGAN AT A RATE OF 68 MPH WHEN AT APPROXIMATELY 8:15 A.M. I HEARD A LOUD SHATTERING NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. I LOOKED AROUND MY VEHICLE TO FIND EACH OF MY SIDE, REAR, AND FRONT WINDOWS INTACT. I TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: HAPPENED LAST WEEKEND, WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN MY NEW 2010 SCION TC. CAR IS JUST BARELY 2 MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. MIDDLE PART OF A NICE, MILD DAY, DRY ROAD, BUT SOME BROKEN PAVEMENT/ROUGHNESS AT THE CORNER THERE. SOMEONE COMING FROM MY 3 O'CLOCK POSITION WAS PLANNING T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TIRES: TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED ON CURVED ROAD IN RAIN. APPLIED BRAKES COMING INTO THE TURN, BUT TIRES LOST TRACTION AND VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND SLID ONTO A DIRT EMBANKMENT WITH SHRUBS AND SMALL TREES. NEITHER THE FRONT OR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND I HIT MY HEAD AGAINST THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. I DO N
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Scion dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)