Is the 2011 Scion TC reliable?

The 2011 Scion TC has 35 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: LIGHTING problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Scion TC?

Top problems: LIGHTING (6 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (6 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Scion TC?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. Contact any Scion dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Scion TC?

The 2011 Scion TC gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Scion TC?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 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.

2011 Scion TC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Scion TC has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 24. The most common issue is lighting problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota scion tc. the contact stated that the vehicle had only one operable reverse light. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the current mileage was 600 and the failure mileage was unknown.. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

LIGHTING

6 complaints

17%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE OPERABLE REVERSE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
• I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE NEARLY RAN INTO MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS ONLY ONE REVERSE LAMP AND IT IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. PEOPLE APPROACHING THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE CANNOT SEE THIS LAMP; THEREFORE THEY DON'T KNOW THE VEHICLE IS REVERSING. I HAV
• I HAVE A 2011 SCION TC AND SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE NOTICED ONLY ONE REVERSE LIGHT WORKS. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS HOW SCION MANUFACTURED ALL THEIR 2011 SCION TC'S. THE THING THAT REALLY THROWS ME OFF IS THAT IT HAS THE AESTHETIC APPEARANCE OF TWO REVERSE LIGHTS BUT ONLY ONE WORKS. I CAN'T TELL YO

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE OPERABLE REVERSE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Scion TC

Based on 27 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K 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+

VISIBILITY

High-mileage issuemedian 58K mi · 6 reports

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 (1)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC20/09/2018

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Scion TC

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/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 2011 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

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 35 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE OPERABLE REVERSE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, CAUSING IT TO SPIN AROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND INJURIE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANT ALONG WITH MY ABS LIGHT. MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HASN'T BEEN DOING RIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE DOING. ITS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR MY ENGINE IS MISSING. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Scion dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)