Is the 2012 Scion TC reliable?

The 2012 Scion TC has 12 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Scion TC?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (5 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (3 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Scion TC?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, 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 2012 Scion TC?

The 2012 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 2012 Scion TC?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Scion TC is approximately $1,478/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.

2012 Scion TC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Scion TC has 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 24. The most common issue is visibility problems (42% of all complaints), specifically: 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 ha. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

VISIBILITY

5 complaints

42%

• 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 HA
• 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
• 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

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

“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 HA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

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 2012 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 2012 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

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

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 age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

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

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~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 12 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: 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 HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 T
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)