NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Scion tC. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Burning oil bad
SUNROOF / MOONROOF EXPLOSION. DRIVING 50 MPH ON FREEWAY AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT WAS MY MOONROOF EXPLODING. NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE, IT JUST EXPLODED ON ITS OWN.
2008 - SCION - TOYOTA - BURNING OIL, BURNING A QUART OF OIL IN LESS THAN EVERY 800 MILES. CAR IS UP TO DATE WITH ALL MAINTENANCE. MECHANIC REFERRED US TO DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA ISSUED A TSB - 'SOME 2006 ' 2011 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2AZ-FE ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE PISTON ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN CHANGED TO MINIMIZE OIL CONSUMPTION.' AND THAT 'P030# (CYLINDER # MISFIRE DETECTED) DTC MAY ALSO BE SET AS A RESULT OF OIL CONSUMPTION.' HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO EVEN TEST OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. SAYING WE ONLY HAD UNTIL AUG 2017. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF SUCH ISSUES, NO LETTERS OR ANYTHING WERE SENT TO US. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN REGISTERED AND OUR OWNER INFO HAS ALWAYS BEEN AVAILABLE TO TOYOTA. SO NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.
ENGINE CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL . HAVE TO REFILL THE OIL IN MY ENGINE ABOUT TWO TIMES IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES.
TAKATA RECALL. MY FRONT TIRES WEARING FAST. WHEN I TOOK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE & ALIGNMENT, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR HAS A ROW BAR THAT IS RUSTED AND FROZEN AND I WILL NEED TO REPLACE IT ($2,000 ESTIMATED). WHEN I DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN, THE CAR FLAILS ALL OVER THE LANE. I HAD TO STOP AND LET CARS PASS ME, I COULD ONLY DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS AND I HAD TO PULL OVER 4 TIMES BEFORE GETTING HOME SAFELY. I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. VERY SCARED AND DANGEROUS. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR ON WET ROADS. ALSO, I'M HAVING TO BUY NEW TIRES EVERY 20,000 MILES IT SEEMS AND I'VE REGULARLY HAD THEM ROTATED. LAST TIME THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T ROTATE THEM BECAUSE THE ROD WAS FROZEN AND IT'S ONLY THE TC MODEL THAT HAS THIS PARTICULAR ROD.
PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER 2 MONTHS AGO. CAR RUNS LIKE A CHAMP. RECENTLY HAD TO ADD A QUART AND A HALF OF OIL THEN CHANGED THE OIL SATURDAY AND YESTERDAY THE CAR WAS 2 QUARTS LOW AGAIN. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT EXCESSIVE OIL USE ON THESE VEHICLES, SAME YEAR YET TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, WHY? WHEN READING COMPLAINTS, APPARENTLY IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, DEFECT, WITH THE 08 TC IN WHICH INVOLVES THE PISTON RINGS. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE REPAIRS.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE THAT HAS BLOWN IN MY CAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS WHEN THE PISTONS BLEW UP MY ENGINE AND NOW HERE WE GO AGAIN WITH THE PISTONS IN THE SECOND MOTOR. I CALLED SCION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH CAMILLE AND SHE BASICALLY TOLD ME I AM STUCK WITH THIS BAD MOTOR THAT I JUST HAD PUT IN ON APRIL 7, 2017.
THIS VEHICLE WAS JUST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS DEMOLISHED, THE RADIATOR AND EVERYTHING CRUSHED AND SLAMMED BACK, FLUIDS LEAKING FROM EVERYTHING, EVEN BUCKLED THE PASSENGER DOOR, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THIS VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE OFFICERS ON THE SCENE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY.
RAPID OIL CONSUMPTION. OVER 4 QUARTS IN <2,000 MILES. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 147,000 ODO
HIGH CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL. I AM HAVING TO ADD ABOUT A QUART EVERY 1000 MILES OR SO. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD I WAS 2 WEEKS PAST THE DEADLINE OF 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SERVICE. THE CAR IS WELL UNDER THE 150,000 MILES COVERAGE PERIOD AT ONLY 90,000 MILES. TOYOTA'S POSITION WAS FIRM ON THE 2 WEEK OVERAGE PERIOD. THIS JUST DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT. THIS CAR'S ENGINE COULD LOCK UP DUE TO LACK OF OIL AND CAUSE ME TO WRECK NOT TO MENTION THE UNNECESSARY AMOUNT OF AIR POLLUTION THIS IS CAUSING
ON SEP 24TH, 2017, I WAS MERGING ONTO THE SOUTH 710 FREEWAY FROM MISSION BOULEVARD IN ALHAMBRA, CA AROUND 7 PM WHEN MY CLOSED SUNROOF SHATTERED. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT THE ROOF IN THE FADING LIGHT OF SUNSET. THERE WERE NO TREES, BIRDS OR OVERHEAD BRIDGES WHERE THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND APPEARED TO BE NO OBJECTS THAT APPEARED TO HAVE HIT THE CAR OR EMBEDDED IN THE SUNROOF GLASS. I CLEANED SOME OF THE LOOSE GLASS AND CAREFULLY ROLLED BACK ONTO THE 710 FREEWAY WAY TO DRIVE UP THE FREEWAY TO GET HOME AND CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. BURNS MORE THAN TWO QUART OF OIL IN LESS THAN 1800 MILES.
MY ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT INSTEAD OF GETTING A SCION THEY GOT A COROLLA ENGINE, SO NOW MY CAR DRINKS TOO MUCH GAS. THE BRAKES STOPPED BEING STOP CLOSE TO ON THE DIME AFTER THEY FIXED THE ENGINE, AND REPLACED THE TIRES. WHEN THEY CHANGED THE TIRES THEY USED IMPACT STUDS/BOLTS. EVERY TIME I USE CRUISE CONTROL IT GOES FASTER A LITTLE NO MATTER IF IT'S UP OR DOWN HILL. I HAVE TO PUSH DOWN TO SLOW IT DOWN.
CENTER CONSOLE BURST INTO FLAMES CAUSING AN INTERNAL FIRE, WHILE STATIONARY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
I JUST WENT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE INDICATED THAT MY CAR BURNS OIL 2 TO 3X'S FASTER THAN NORMAL. I WAS MADE AWARE (FOR THE 1ST TIME) OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT TOYOTA ISSUED. HOWEVER, MY CAR NOW HAS 150,737 MILES AND DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE WARRANTY WORK. HERE'S THE DOCUMENT THAT SHOWS MY CAR NO LONGER QUALIFIES. HTTP://MEDIA.FIXED-OPS.COM/TOY_CAMPAIGNS/ZE7-DLRLTR.PDF PLEASE HELP!
AT AROUND 35000 MILES I NOTICED MY CAR STARTED BURNING OIL. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL SO I BEGAN USING THICKER OIL. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. MY CAR NOW HAS 185000 MILES AND I'M USING 10W40 OIL WITH OIL STABILIZER AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I'VE HAD TWO OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS DONE ON MY CAR AND, ACCORDING TO THEIR TESTING STANDARDS, IT HAS PASSED BOTH TIMES. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE IS ONGOING AND HAS OF COURSE WORSENED. IT'S TO THE POINT THAT MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND I HAD TO ADD 2 QUARTS OF OIL AFTER ONLY 3500 MILES. TOYOTA HAS SIMPLY LEFT ME IN THE DARK WITH THIS PROBLEM AS I WAS HOPING TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
CAR WAS TESTED FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST THEY WERE DOING AND IT SUPPOSEDLY PASSED, BUT THEN AS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTOR COMPLETELY BLEW DUE TO THE LACK OF OIL. I'D EVEN BEEN ADDING OIL TO MY CAR DAILY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, EVEN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN SAFETY CAMPAIGN THAT EXPIRED IN JUNE OF 2015. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN JUNE OF 2015 AND WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE NOTICE WAS PROBABLY MAILED TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE CONTACT CONTESTED THAT THIS WAS NOT HIS FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER PROMISED THAT THEY WOULD RESEARCH THE MATTER, BUT THEY STILL WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE'S OIL CHANGED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE WAS DENIED SERVICE BECAUSE THE VALVE GASKET COVER EXPLODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. AS A RESULT, OIL SPILLED ALL OVER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
THE FIRST IS ISSUE IS THE OIL CONSUMPTION IT CONSUME ALMOST 1Q IN 2K WHICH IS NOT WHAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE HAPPENING. I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND THE ENGINE BLEW WITH NO WARNING NO OIL LIGHT ON NOTHING.
WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING, PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE DOOR. THE AIRBAG CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. TOYOTA KEPT THE CAR FOR 65 DAYS. THE LETTER SENT TO ME STATED THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY WERE SORRY FOR THE MISHAP.
I GOT ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING TO PICK UP MY MOM IN THE SUNDAY MORNING AROUND 6:50 AM SHE WORKS IN LAX DRIVING ON THE 110 SOUTH FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES,CA. THIS HAPPEN BETWEEN MANCHESTER AND CENTURY . I WAS IN THE THIRD LANE ON THE FREEWAY I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR MOTION AND I SWITCH LANE TO THE RIGHT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCK ON ME AFTER SWITCHING LANE MY BREAK PEDAL WASN'T WORKING AND THE STEERING WASN'T RESPONDING TO THE LEFT , THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS MERGING REALLY FAST PASSING 2-1 LANES UNTIL I HIT THE WALL AND MY CAR FLIP UP-SIDE DOWN ROLLING FOR 13 SECONDS UP SIDE DOWN ON SIDE THE WALL. MY AIR BAG WHEN OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS UP SIDE DOWN. I LOOK AT THE RADIO AND SAW WHITE SMOKE I TURN OFF THE CAR,UN BUCKLE MY SEAT BELT UP-SIDE DOWN, CRAW OUT SIDE THE PASSENGER WINDOW. I GOT UP AND TOOK A PICTURE AND CALLED THE TOYOTA CORPORATION NOW UM WAITING FOR INSPECTION. FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLE TO BE DEFECTED WELL UM LETTING PEOPLE BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON SCION TC 2008 I O MOST LOST MY LIFE. NOW I HAVE CUT FINGER SKIN AND LEFT ANKLE HURTS FROM TRYING TO USE THE BREAK PEDAL MY ELBOW HAS SCAR FRO THE WINDOW BREAKING I COVER MY FACE CROSSING MY ELBOWS AS A SHIELD FOR MY HEAD I HAD A SWEATER AND LONG SLEEVE MY IT STILL CUT MY LEFT ELBOW. I AM THE TITLE OWNER AND TOOK ME 7 YEARS TO PAY OFF THIS CAR BUT NOW I WANT MY MONEY BACK OR A REPLACE VEHICLE. I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY AND I KNOW THE INSURANCE WONT BELIEVE ME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE SPUN INTO THE GRASS AND STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR GARNISH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GARNISH ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR I HAVE FELT AS IF I WAS GOING TO BE SLUNG INTO TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE ,HIGHWAYS, CITY ROADS , COUNTRY ROADS, AND DEFINITELY IN MOST CURVES. IT'S LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN GOING WHERE IT WANTS AT LOW SPEEDS YOU CAN'T FEEL OR SEE IT TO MUCH BUT AFTER AROUND 35 TO 40 IS WHEN IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE I FEEL THAT I GOT I WILL TRADE FOR SOME THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED OUT. AS I WAS GOING AROUND A TURN ONE DAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED HARDER INTO THE TURN SO I TRIED TO ADJUST BUT IT SENT ME INTO A FISHTAIL AND BEFORE I COULD GET OFF THE ROAD I IMPACTED WITH ANOTHER CAR WHICH DEPLOYED SEVEN AIRBAGS.
MY SCION TC WAS TAKEN TO DCH TOYOTA & SCION OF TORRANCE FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON MAR 03, 2015 AT 129,050 MILES AND AGAIN ON MAY 21, 2015 AT 132,611 MILES. NO ACTION REGARDING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION WAS TAKEN. ON OCT 5, 2015 WHILE DRIVING ON 110 FWY IN LA ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND CAR NEEDED TO BE SHIFT IN TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO ROLL TO THE SIDE. THIS PUT ME IN TO GRATE DANGER SINCE EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING. CAR WAS TOWED TO IN TO SHOP WHERE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT ENGINE HAS SEIZED. IT HAD LOW OIL LEVEL AND ALUMINUM RESIDUE IN IT. HIS CONCLUSION BASED ON TOYOTA OWN ADMIT ION OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND FACT THAT CAR HAD AT THE TIME 136,816 MILES AND NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE SUPPOSE TO BE AT 139,387 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE AND CLUTCH TO HAVE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA FOR REIMBURSEMENT ACCORDING WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION - ZE7. THEIR RESPONSE WERE THAT I DO NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR REIMBURSEMENT. MY OPINION IS THAT THEY HAVE MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH MANY SCION TC ENGINES IN REGARD OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST. THEY KNOW ABOUT IT AND THEY DID NOTHING WHEN I BROUGHT CAR TWICE FOR TEST AND REPAIR.
DRIVING AT 50 MPH,BEING FORCED TO RIGHT PAVING EDGE,CORRECTED QUICKLY TO LEFT,CAR WENT OVER CENTER LINE AND VERY EXTREME SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH WITH DRIVER AND FRONT SET PASSENGER .CAR WAS BEYOND DISTROYED.LOSS OF CONTROL UNKNOWN.ONE FACT THAT IS PRESENT IS LEFT FRONT TIRE HAS NO AIR IN TIRE,STILL ON WHEEL,AND NO DAMAGE TO TIRE.I FEEL THE TIRE WAS FORCE OFF WHEEL BEAD ,AIR LOSS INSTANTLY,AND WAS LIKE A BLOWOUT.THE ONLY MARKINGS ON ROAD WAS THE TIRE THREAD PATTERN WITHOUT ANY SKID MARKS AND A LIGHT SCARTCH MARK,OUTSIDE OF TIRE MARKS.TIRES WE REPLACED BY TOYOTA DEALER,,7,000 MILES,LIKE NEW,ROTATED,INSPECTD,GAGE AIR CHECKED 5000 MILES/6 MONTHS AGO ,TPS LIGHT NOT ON,SO NO REASON TO THINK LOW AIR PRESSURE NOR ANY TIRE ISSUE .TIRE IS BRIDGESTONE POTENZA 215/45R17 91V.WHEEL IS ORGINAL EQUIPMENT ALLOY 6 DOUBLE SPOKE,TIRE SIZE SAME AS ORGINAL.NO AIR,TIRE THREAD PATTEN PRINTED ON ROAD BUY RUBBER ONLY ,SCRATCH MADE BY OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE WHEEL AS ONLY POSSIBLE CAUSE,SO DID TIRE DEFLATE AND OVER CORRECT DRIVERS ACTIONS .BOTH ARE OK,AND 2 OTHERS THAT SAW ACCIDENT HAPPEN CAN NOT PLACE CAUSE.POLICE ALSO CAN NOT .NO DRINKING,DRUGS,CELL PHONES ECT.AT SITE 2 ADITIONAL TIRES DEFALTED ,STILL ON WHEELS,WITH ONLY ONE REAR WHEEL INFLATED,LEFT REAR,WHERE CAR HAS LITTLE DAMAGE.LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION IS DETACHED ALLOWING WHEEL TO TURN HARD TO LEFT AND UPWARD ,ASSUMED TO BE ACCIDENT DAMAGE,BUT DID STEERING/ SUSPENCION BRAKE LOOSE BEFORE ACCIDENT ? IS THIS A LOW PROFILE PERFORMANCE TIRE/WHEEL ACCIDENT ???
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE OIL LOSS. AFTER 3,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE USED APPROXIMATELY 5-7 QUARTS OF OIL. THE PISTONS MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY MUST PERFORM AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,965.
IN ABOUT JANUARY OF 2015 I RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE FOR MY 2008 SCION TC STATING THIS AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE MAYBE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS FINE AFTER KEEPING IT THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. A YEAR AND A HALF PRIOR I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY CHANGED MY OIL THE OIL LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF AS IF THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR ON OR AROUND MAY 14, 2015 A ABOUT 10:15 PM MY 2008 SCION TC WITH AROUND 119000 MILES CUT OFF WHILE I WAS MERGING ONTO 95/495. I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY BEEN INJURED OR DIED DUE TO THIS ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC WHO THEN TOLD ME MY VEHICLES ENGINE HAD SEIZED BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS TAKING IN TOO MUCH OIL. I THEN HAD IT TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FIND OUT TOYOTA HAD A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 2008 AND KNEW THE EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION COULD AND WOULD CAUSE ENGINE SEIZURE. IN AN ARTICLE ISSUED ON APRIL 12, 2014 IT STATES THAT TOYOTA/SCION SENT OUT A TSA TO IT'S DEALERSHIP TELLING THEM NOT TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FR THIS ISSUE.
I HAVE AN 08' TOYOTA SCION TC THAT IS BURNING OIL AT AN ABNORMAL RATE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOPPED OFF MY OIL AND TAPED THE DIPSTICK DOWN AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK AFTER I DRIVE IT ABOUT 1200 MILES. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 1200 MILES AND AFTER WAITING HOURS FOR THEM TO CHECK THE OIL ONLY FOR THEM TO COME OUT AND TELL ME EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. I ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS ANY OIL LOSS AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S NORMAL FOR OLDER ENGINES TO BURN OIL. NOT IN MY BOOK, NOT FOR ANY VEHICLE. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR TOYOTA FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM. SOMEONE WITH OVER 200,00 MILES ON THEIR TOYOTA AND NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK HAVING THE OIL LIGHT COME ON BEFORE THE NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IS NORMAL. BUT I'M A 26 YEAR OLD FEMALE SO WHAT DO I KNOW RIGHT? I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT NORMAL. THIS HAS BECOME SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE THAT ALL I WANT IS THE PROBLEM FIXED. FOR THEM TO TAKE APART MY ENGINE AND REPLACE THE [XXX] PISTONS SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CHECKING MY OIL EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MISTAKE AND I WOULD LIKE IT FIXED IF THEY WANT ME TO STAY A TOYOTA CUSTOMER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THERE HAD BEEN A BIG SNOWSTORM THE DAY PRIOR. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MORNING IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE ROADS HAD BEEN PLOWED BUT THERE WAS STILL SLUSH ON THE HIGHWAYS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT DRIVING AT AN INCREDIBLY FAST SPEED. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT AN HOUR FOR THE TEMPERATURES TO WARM UP. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES HAVE A REPEATED TENDENCY TO NOT PROPERLY SLOW DOWN THE CAR IN COLD CONDITIONS (BOTH RAIN AND SNOW). THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS INCIDENT VERY CLOSELY MATCH THE TOYOTA RECALL THAT WAS INITIATED FOR OTHER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN 2008 THAT HAD BRAKE FAILURES WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AND COLD CONDITIONS. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT TO REPORT WHAT HAD HAPPENED BUT THEY INSISTED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. THEY ADVISED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. ON 21 MARCH, I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO AN AUTO SHOP FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PADS APPEAR NEW AND THERE ARE NO NOTICEABLE ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES. *TR
WE OWN A 2008 SCION TC AND IN THE WINTER THIS CAR GETS EXCESSIVE SNOW AND ICE BUILD UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS AND THIS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN TRYING TO TURN. I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS FOR THIS CAR FOR THIS ISSUE, THE PLASTIC USED IN THE WHEEL WELLS SEEMS TO HOLD THE SNOW AND ICE RATHER THEN FALLING OFF. IS THEIR ANYTHING THAT YOU KNOW OF THAT COULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE? I HAVE SPOKE WITH OTHER SCION OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE REPLY WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS OR IF THEIR IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU, *TR
JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS, MY REAR HATCH PANEL CAME OFF I WAS OPENING THE TRUNK. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ISN'T A RECALL. I NEVER GOT THE LETTER STATING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO REPLACE THIS. HORRIBLE. THE ONLY REASON IT HASN'T COME OFF PRIOR TO THIS IS BECAUSE I CONTORT MY BODY TO OPEN THE TRUNK BECAUSE I CAN TELL IT WANTS TO COME OFF. WELL IT FINALLY DID. ANYONE THAT GOES NEAR THAT REAR HATCH PANEL WITH THE EMBLEM GETS YELLED AT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK DOOR DUE TO THE BACKDOOR GARNISH ASSEMBLY SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
EACH TIME I BRAKE, MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO THE LUBE PLACE, AND WAS ALMOST OUT OF OIL. NO LEAKS, BUT BLACK SMUT IN EXHAUST PIPE. SEEM TO BE BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET, AND IS A RECOGNIZE PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA CARS. TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERSHIP. DEFECTIVE PISTONS WERE USED IN MANUFACTURING THE CARS, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. TOYOTA TOLD ME IT'S NORMAL FOR THEIR CARS TO BURN A QUART OF OIL EVERY 800 TO 1,000 MILES, TO CHANGE MY OIL AT 3,000 MILES (WHICH I NORMALLY DO), TO CHECK IT EVERY 1,200 MILES AND TOP OFF IN LOW. UNACCEPTABLE. WHY WOULD I BUY A BRAND NEW CAR WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS? AND WHY SHOULD A MANUFACTURER THINK IT'S OK TO MAKE AND SELL CARS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS? WHY ARE THEY NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR BASICALLY STEALING FROM PEOPLE? THE SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF AROUND $6,000 (ABOUT 25% COST OF A NEW CAR). *TR
ENGINE IS BURNING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL BETWEEN SCHEDULED 5000 MILE OIL CHANGES. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN AUGUST 2014. WHILE DRIVING MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE DIP STICK TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL. AT THIS TIME I CHECKED FOR LEAKING OIL IN MY GARAGE AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY. I ASSUMED THAT POSSIBLY THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PUT ENOUGH OIL IN THE VEHICLE DURING THE LAST SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS ON 12/14/14. MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I PULLED OVER REALIZED I HAD NO OIL IN MY CAR AGAIN. STILL NO LEAKING FOUND IN MY GARAGE. I AM SURE IT HAD ENOUGH OIL IN IT AFTER THE LAST OIL CHANGE WHICH OCCURRED BETWEEN THE TWO INCIDENTS. AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGED THE LAST TIME I CHECKED THE VEHICLE TO BE SURE THAT IT HAD ENOUGH AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
MY VEHICLE IS ALMOST 6 YEARS OLD. IT WAS BROUGHT BRAND NEW IN JUNE 2008. I'VE ONLY TAKEN IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS SINCE PURCHASE FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE MILES CURRENTLY ON MY CAR IS 70,775 AND I WAS SCHEDULED FOR MY NEXT MAINTENANCE CHECK AT 71,443 PER THE DEALERSHIP MAINTENANCE STICKER. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-95 SOUTH IN EMPORIA VA ON 05/21/2014 COMING FROM WASHINGTON, DC, I EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHILE GOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AFTER AVOIDING MULTIPLE CARS AND TRUCKS THAT ALMOST CRASHED INTO ME. MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED. I WAS ABLE TO GET TOWED TO AN APPROVED REPAIR SHOP THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DIAGNOSTIC FROM THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO "WHOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK CAUSED BY LOW OIL" OF WHICH THE LEAST EXPENSIVE WAS GOING TO COST $4,000. I CALL THE NATIONAL SCION CENTER TO REPORT WHAT HAPPENED. THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THEIR COMPANY LOOK AT THE VEHICLE WHICH I DID. PER THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW "THE TECHNICIAN FOUND HOLE IN BLOCK BY CYLINDER #1, FOUND PISTON WRIST PIN IN BOTTOM ON ENGINE COVER, NEEDS NEW OR USED ENGINE". WHEN I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS HE SAID THE OIL LEVELS WERE VERY LOW AND THAT THE OIL WAS ALSO VERY DIRTY. I CALLED SCION TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING WOULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OVER 60,000 MILES. I FIND THIS VERY UNSETTLING SINCE THE CAR WAS IN GREAT CONDITION PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE AND THERE WAS SO INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG. LIKE I MENTIONED, I'VE ONLY ALWAYS TAKEN MY CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND I WASN'T DUE FOR ANOTHER SERVICE CHECK FOR ANOTHER 668 MILES. *TR
MY ENGINE SEIZED. LONG STORY SHORT, MY CAR WAS BURNING OIL AT A RATE OF 1 QUART EVERY 700 MILES. I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP EVERY 5000 MILES FOR MY FREE OIL CHANGES. NO ONE NOTICED I WAS BURNING THAT MUCH OIL UNTIL I STARTED HEARING SOUNDS FROM MY ENGINE. IT WAS TOO LATE AT THAT POINT. THERE WAS PERMANENT ENGINE DAMAGE CONFIRMED BY 2 MECHANICS AT PRIVATE SHOPS. AFTER ADDING HIGH MILEAGE OIL TO MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN THE OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A MONTH OF HEARING THE SOUND AND NOTICING THE AMOUNT OF OIL BEING BURNED, THE ENGINE SEIZED LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER THAT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE BLOCK. CORPORATE TOYOTA COVERED THE BRAND NEW ENGINE BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR SERVICE (ALL DONE AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP) WHICH CAME OUT TO $3000 OUT OF MY POCKET. *TR
I WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO OPEN MY TRUNK WHEN THE LATCH HANDLE BROKE OFF ! *TR
ON FEBRUARY 24, 2013, I WAS OPENING MY TRUNK LIKE NORMAL AND THE ENTIRE PLASTIC PIECE SNAPPED IN HALF AND DANGLED FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR VIA THE WIRING THAT POWERS THE LIGHTS ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE. BASICALLY, THE HYDRAULICS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO OPEN THE TRUNK IS WORTHLESS AND DOESN'T EVEN PICK UP THE WEIGHT OF THE TRUNK UNTIL IT IS TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY OPEN. I RARELY USE MY TRUNK BECAUSE I USUALLY JUST TOSS EVERYTHING INTO THE BACK SEAT. I WOULD SAY THAT AFTER OWNING MY CAR FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS, I'VE MAYBE OPENED THE TRUNK 50 TIMES, IF THAT. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN STATING THEY KNOW THAT THE PIECE HAS EXTREME POTENTIAL TO BREAK BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE PIECE. FOR THE THOUSANDS OF SCION USERS OUTSIDE THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD, WE ARE FACED WITH THE COST OF ENSURING THE SAFETY OF OURSELVES AND FELLOW DRIVERS BECAUSE OF A POORLY MANUFACTURED, PLASTIC GARNISH DESIGNED BY TOYOTA AS A MEANS TO ENTER THE TRUNK. MY PIECE IS CURRENTLY DUCT TAPED BACK TOGETHER AND COVERS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ABOVE THE PIECE. OTHER OWNERS FACE THE ISSUE OF THE LIGHTS ABOVE THEIR LICENSE PLATE NOT WORKING WHICH MAKES THEM IN VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC LAWS THAT REQUIRED AN ILLUMINATED LICENSE PLATE. A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN STATES THAT THE PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH AN ?IMPROVED GARNISH? AS DETAILED IN SERVICE BULLETIN S-SB-0001-10 DATED JANUARY 6, 2010. AS OF JANUARY 6, 2010, I WAS STILL IN MY WARRANTY PERIOD WITH SCION AND COULD HAVE HAD THE PIECE REPLACED WITHOUT THE HASSLE OF GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH SCION CUSTOMER SERVICE. IF TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE PIECE, THEY MUST REALIZE THE SHODDY ENGINEERING OF THE GARNISH. MOREOVER, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT SCION AND TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THE TRUNK GARNISH IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SCION OWNERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WON'T BE FACED WITH THE SAME HEADACHE AND POTENTIAL DANGERS. *TR
I WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH TO MY CAR AND THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT HOLDS THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE BACK BROKE OFF. I LOOKED INSIDE THE PLASTIC COVER AND IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE PLASTIC PIECE ITSELF HAD BROKEN. MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK NOW WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LAW IN THE STATE OF TEXAS SO I CAN POSSIBLY GET A TICKET DUE TO TOYOTA'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE. *TR
I WAS OPENING MY TRUNK AND THE HANDLE LATCH AND LIGHT CASE FELL RIGHT OFF. I AM NOT A VERY STRONG INDIVIDUAL SO HOW THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME COMPLETELY STUMPS ME. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE NOTICED THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON MORE AND MORE SCION TC'S. I BELIEVE THIS IS A STRUCTURAL BODY ISSUE THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD ADDRESS.
TRUCK LATCH, AND FACING BROKE RIGHT OFF IN HAND, VERY POOR QUALITY. *TR
I GOT OUT OF MY PARKED CAR AND WAS GOING TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK. AS I WENT TO OPEN THE TRUNK, THE REAR HATCH PIECE, WHICH HAS THE SCION EMBLEM ON IT, TORE AWAY FROM THE CAR. IT SEEMS THE PLASTIC PIECES WHICH HELD THE PIECE ON HAD SNAPPED OFF AS I OPENED THE TRUNK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HATCHBACK LATCH BECAME FRACTURED DURING NORMAL USAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE PISTON RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
THE LIFT GATE ON THE TRUNK BROKE OFF WITH MINIMAL USAGE. IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM GOING BACK TO THE 2005 MODEL. I HAVE REVIEWED MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE. ITS TO BAD THEY DON'T REPORT IT HERE. THE DEALERS KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN I WENT IN TO GET IT FIXED THE GUY SAID WITHOUT LOOKING IT UP IT WOULD $425.00 SO HE SAID IT HAPPENS A LOT. IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT FOR US OWNERS. *TR
HELLO I WENT TO MY CAR TO GET MY GROCERY OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE TRUCK THE HATCH HANDLE CLIPS BROKE I CONTACTED SCION THEY SAID THERE AREN'T ANY COMPLAINTS AND BECAUSE I HADN'T HAD MY CAR SERVICE AT SCION DEALERSHIP I WASN'T SHOWING BRAND LOYALTY SO THEY CAN'T HELP ME, WITH THIS PART BEING BROKEN THEIR ISN'T A WAY TO GET INTO THE TRUNK. *TR
FIRST, THE RUBBER HATCH RELEASE MELTED & DRIPPED ONTO MY REAR BUMPER. (I SUSPECT THAT FAULTY WIRING OF SOME SORT KEPT THE RELEASE SOMEWHAT ENGAGED, WHICH MELTED THE RUBBER.) THEN THE HATCH LATCH/LOCK WOULD ONLY COMPLETELY RELEASE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. FINALLY, AFTER UNLOCKING THE HATCH & ENGAGING (I THOUGHT) THE RELEASE, THE ENTIRE PANEL PULLED OFF THE CAR, LEAVING IT DANGLING BY THE WIRING HARNESS. *JS
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026