2011 Scion TC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Scion TC has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. 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.. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

VISIBILITY

6 complaints

17%

• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,888.
• I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (SPONTANEOUSLY). *TR

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

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

4 complaints

11%

• 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
• SINCE I'VE BOUGHT MY CAR, AT EVERY CAR START UP THERE IS A NOISE OR A RATTLE THAT IS BRIEFLY AUDIBLE FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND THEN STOPS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AGAIN, THE NOISE IS NO LONGER THERE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AT VEHICLE START UP. IT SOUNDS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A WINDING NOISE. THE ENGINE IN MY
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

4 complaints

11%

• 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
• TAKATA RECALL WHEN BRAKING IN LOW SPEED YOU HEAR A LOUD SOUND OF THE BREAK PADS AND THE ROTORS HITTING EACH OTHER
• I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT 2011 SCION TC ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT AND RUNNING SMOOTH, THEN I HAD TO START PUSHING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AS IF IT WASNT WORKING. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND AS DOING SO I HIT THE BRAKES AND I BURNT SOME RUBBER

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

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

3 complaints

• LEFT FRONT FENDER LINER CAME OFF (RIPPED OFF) WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
• I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (SPONTANEOUSLY). *TR
• EVERY NOW AND THEN I HEAR THIS RATTLING LOUD NOISE ON MY SUNROOF AT SLOW SPEED. I NOTICED THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER WHEN IT'S HOT ABOVE 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT IS HOT AND HUMID HERE. THE RATTLING NOISE DISAPPEARS AFTER A MINUTE. IT'S VERY STRANGE. AFTER REA

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

“LEFT FRONT FENDER LINER CAME OFF (RIPPED OFF) WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)