
2013 Scion TC
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Scion TC has 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: 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 provide.
12
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
TRANSMISSION
3 complaints- • 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 PROVIDE
- • VEHICLE HAS 66444 MILES AND THROW OUT BEARING / INPUT SHAFT IS MAKING NOISE
- • 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
“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 PROVIDE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
3 complaints- • 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
- • DID NOT GET NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE.
- • 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 o
“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 ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
VISIBILITY
2 complaints- • 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
- • 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
“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”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
2 complaints- • 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
- • 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
“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 ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
1 complaints- • 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
“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”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
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:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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 PROVIDE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐VISIBILITY: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Scion TC — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Scion TC