Is the 2016 Scion TC reliable?

The 2016 Scion TC has 6 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Scion TC?

Top problems: OTHER (3 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (1 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Scion TC?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, TIRES. Contact any Scion dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Scion TC?

The 2016 Scion TC gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Scion TC?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 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.

2016 Scion TC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2016 Scion TC has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 24. The most common issue is other problems (50% of all complaints), specifically: the sunroof of my vehicle suddenly exploded while we were traveling on the freeway at around 60mph. there are shattered glass all over me and especially to my passage at the front. the freeway is wide-open, without debris and nothing overhead. all the windows and sunroof itself was closed when the i. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 4 of 4)

OTHER

3 complaints

50%

• THE SUNROOF OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 60MPH. THERE ARE SHATTERED GLASS ALL OVER ME AND ESPECIALLY TO MY PASSAGE AT THE FRONT. THE FREEWAY IS WIDE-OPEN, WITHOUT DEBRIS AND NOTHING OVERHEAD. ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF ITSELF WAS CLOSED WHEN THE I
• DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE MOONROOF SHATTERED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WAS NOT NEAR ANY OVERPASSES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THEM JUST SHATTERING AND THE MANUFACTURERS/DEALERSHIPS WON'T DO ANYTHING. NOW I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR A ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN AND THEY WON'T COVER IT!
• While driving on the interstate, all of a sudden, I hear a loud bang. This sound sounded like a tire blew or a gun shot. Then I see glass rolling down the back windshield. After inspecting, it was the sunroof/moonroof that exploded outwords as if there was some pressure from the heat built up.My bro

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

“THE SUNROOF OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 60MPH. THERE ARE SHATTERED GLASS ALL OVER ME AND ESPECIALLY TO MY PASSAGE AT THE FRONT. THE FREEWAY IS WIDE-OPEN, WITHOUT DEBRIS AND NOTHING OVERHEAD. ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF ITSELF WAS CLOSED WHEN THE I”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (3)

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 2016 Scion TC

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,087/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 2016 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: THE SUNROOF OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 60MPH. THERE ARE SHATTERED GLASS ALL OVER ME AND ESPECIALLY TO MY PASSAGE AT THE FRONT. THE FREEWAY IS WIDE-OPEN, WITHOUT DEBRIS AND NOTHING OVERHEAD. ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF ITSELF WAS CLOSED WHEN THE I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED. COLLISION REPAIR SHOP NOTED THERE WAS UNIBODY/FRAME DAMAGE BUT WAS NOT TOTALED OUT. NOW WE CANNOT TRADE IN VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DAMAGE IS SHOWING UP ON THE CARFAX AND NOBODY WANTS TO TOUCH IT. WE CANNOT GET OUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR THE REPAIR SHOP TO REMOV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I have a recall on my brakes. I took it to toyota in newnan ga. they said it would be a few hours and I asked for a rental because it was my only day off and I have 3 kids and errands to run. They then proceded to tell me I dont have a recall. They lied to get out of letting me use a rental or anot
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: The contact owns a 2016 Scion TC. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side seat belt retractor failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed front driver's side seat belt retractor. The contact wa
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Scion dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)