Is the 2013 Scion TC reliable?

The 2013 Scion TC has 12 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Scion TC?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (3 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (3 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 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 2013 Scion TC?

The 2013 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 2013 Scion TC?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 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.

2013 Scion TC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Scion TC has 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 24. 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. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

25%

• 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

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

“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

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Scion TC

Based on 10 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 39K 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 (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 2013 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 2013 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~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 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
☐
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)