Scion · tC · 2011
1
Recall
29
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2011 Scion tC has 1 recall and 29 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: exterior lighting (6 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Scion TC. The contact stated that the vehicle was advertised on Facebook Market place with 183,000 miles. The contact stated that while purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that the odometer displayed 118,000. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the seller informed the contact that he had discovered there was a mileage discrepancy upon retrieving the Carfax report after purchasing the vehicle from the previous owner. The contact stated that based on the Carfax report, the mileage was 173,822 on February 6, 2024, but the mileage on the odometer was 118,000.
BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY 16 YO. HE WAS DRIVING HOME LAST EVENING WITH HIS 9YO BROTHER IN THE CAR AND THEY HEARD A LOUD POP. HE PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT HIS SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED. THANKFULLY THE INNER SHADE WAS CLOSED. NO SIGN OF IMPACT FROM ANY TYPE OF OBJECT AND NO KNOWN PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF. JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD. THANK GOODNESS MY KIDS WERE NOT INJURED OR COVERED IN GLASS SHARDS FROM THIS AND IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME.
IT'S 2020 AND I JUST BOUGHT A 2011 SCION TC. I TOOK IT TO AN INSPECTION STATION IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND SO I CAN HAVE I REGISTERED IN MARYLAND. MY VEHICLE FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE 2 REAR REVERSE LIGHTS, IT ONLY HAS ONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT HAVE A PORT OR WIRES FOR A REVERSE LIGHTS.
I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT 2011 SCION TC ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT AND RUNNING SMOOTH, THEN I HAD TO START PUSHING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AS IF IT WASNT WORKING. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND AS DOING SO I HIT THE BRAKES AND I BURNT SOME RUBBER BUT BASICALLY THE FRONT LOCKED UP ON ME AND I DRIFTED MY BACK END IN, THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WASNT GETTING MY BRAKES AT THEY'RE FULL POTENTIAL. SO I LOOKED UNDER MY CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR AROUND 2 HOURS, I CAME BACK TO FIND THAT I HAD LEAKING OIL OR SOMETHING UNDER BOTH FRONT TIRES, WHICH HAD ME BEGIN TO THINK IF THERE WAS A LEAK. A FRIEND THEN CAME UP TO ME AND TOLD ME HE HAD FOUND A RECALL FOR SOMETHING ON MY CAR. I CAME UPON YOUR WEBSITE AND PUT IN MY VIN AND CAME TO FIND OUT I HAVE AN UNREPAIRED RECALL ON MY BRAKE LINES. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SETTLED SO I DON'T HAVE FURTHER ISSUES.
WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED A VERY LOUD NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED THE NOISE GOES AWAY. CAR HAS 90K THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THROW OFF CLUTCH BEARING, BUT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE IS HEARD AND TODAY THE CAR ALMOST STALLED TWICE AND IT FELT LIKE THE GEARS WERE GETTING STUCK AND THE CLUTCH WAS NOT RELEASING.
TAKATA RECALL WHEN BRAKING IN LOW SPEED YOU HEAR A LOUD SOUND OF THE BREAK PADS AND THE ROTORS HITTING EACH OTHER
Why did the dealer tell me this recall is not associated with my vin when I keep getting recall UNADDREESSED notices for my vehicle? This is a safety reason and a complete disconnect between dealerships and Toyota manufacture. I need this addressed immediately!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SCION TC. AFTER THE DRIVER AND A FRONT PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED BOTH DOORS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. A WHITE SUBSTANCE EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (AUTONATION TOYOTA LAS VEGAS, 6300 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89146, (702) 605-5801). THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN WHO CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT AT THE DEALER'S FOR OVER A MONTH AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I REPORTED TO MY DEALER ABOUT THERE IS ONLY ONE BACKUP LIGHT WORKING. THEY SAID"THAT'S THE WAY IT IS". APPARENTLY THERE IS ONLY ONE INSTEAD OF 2 BACKUP LIGHTS. AT NIGHT IT IS A PROBLEM. I CAN'T SEE WHERE I'M BACKING INTO. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO ADD ANOTHER ONE. THAT MEANS, I'M STOCK WITH IT.
EVERY NOW AND THEN I HEAR THIS RATTLING LOUD NOISE ON MY SUNROOF AT SLOW SPEED. I NOTICED THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER WHEN IT'S HOT ABOVE 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT IS HOT AND HUMID HERE. THE RATTLING NOISE DISAPPEARS AFTER A MINUTE. IT'S VERY STRANGE. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUNROOF SHATTERED,EXPLODED FROM OTHER OWNERS, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PARTICULAR MODEL RECALL BEFORE ANYBODY WILL HAVE A SERIOUS INJURY.
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 40MPH AND SUDDENLY HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, I HEARD MY SUNROOF CRACKING ABOVE ME. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK, I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED ALONG THE LEFT, RIGHT AND BACK OF THE SUNROOF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ESTIMATE IT TO BE AROUND $1200-$1300 TO FIX. $800 FOR THE GLASS BY ITSELF. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME WHEN IT HAPPENED AND NOTHING ABOVE ME THAT COULD HAVE FALLEN AND DONE THIS. IF YOU HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, PLEASE CONTACT SCION TO LET THEM KNOW SO WE CAN GET A RECALL STARTED. 1-866-707-2466.
**SUNROOF SHATTERED** AROUND 7:00 AM ON A MONDAY (12/28) I GO OUTSIDE TO WARM UP MY CAR AN NOTICE THAT THE SUNROOF IS SHATTERED! IT IS SHATTERED IN A WAY THAT APPEARS IT WAS FROM THE INSIDE GOING OUTWARD. THE OUTSIDE EDGES OF THE GLASS NEAR THE WEATHER STRIPPING IS PULLED AWAY IN AN AKWARD MANNER. NONE OF MY BELONGINGS WERE TAKEN AND NO NOTICEABLE CAUSE AS TO WHY IT SHATTERED. AGAIN, SIMPLY PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY IN ROANOKE,TX. THROUGH MY OWN INVESTIGATING, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN ALL YEAR MODELS OF SCION TCS. I JUST HOPE THAT TOYOTA TAKES THIS INTO CONSIDERATION MOVING FORWARD. LETS SEE WHAT THE INSURANCE AND DEALERSHIP HAVE TO SAY. *JS
MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THANKFULLY SHE DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE AUTOMOBILE. I CALLED SCION AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING. I HAD TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE CARRIER AND AT THIS TIME I AM WAITING FOR THE PART TO HAVE THIS ROOF PUT BACK ON THE CAR.
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (SPONTANEOUSLY). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,888.
I BOUGHT A PRE-CERTIFIED 2011 SCION TC ON 5/8/2014, APPROX 10 DAYS LATER, WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH THE CAR STARTED TO RATTLE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. IT LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT TOYOTA DEALER/WARRANTY DOES NOT SEEM TO COVER. SEEMS LIKE OTHER FOLKS ARE HAVING THE SIMILAR ISSUE (FROM YOUTUBE). JUST WANTED TO RECORD THIS COMPLAINT. NOT REALLY AN ACCIDENT (SORRY - NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT FORUM). 2011 SCION TC HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TURRAX_X7B8 <--- BEST ONE THAT SOUNDS LIKE OUR TC HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JINQVKKS4ZM 2012 SCION TC WITH HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=5B-G_S_AX8Y. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANT ALONG WITH MY ABS LIGHT. MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HASN'T BEEN DOING RIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE DOING. ITS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR MY ENGINE IS MISSING. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, CAUSING IT TO SPIN AROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND INJURIES TO THE NECK, AND BACK. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WERE ANY FATALITIES OR ANY OTHER INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 900.
THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 7:00AM ON 2/6/12 ON THE 215 S. GOING AROUND 75MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FLOORED ALL THE WAY DOWN AS IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR FOOT ON IT. I PANICKED AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO BUT PRESS THE BRAKES. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED ME AROUND. I NOTICED CARS IN FRONT OF ME STARTING TO SLOW DOWN AS I WAS ENTERING TRAFFIC. BY THAT TIME MY CAR WAS GOING 100MPH ON ITS OWN BECAUSE I HAD REMOVED MY FEET FROM THE PETALS. I LAST MINUTE REACTED AND PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE PETAL AND PROPPED IT UP MYSELF AND IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SAN BERNARDINO THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND I HAD TO PICK IT UP. I WAS VERY UPSET THAT THEY WERE NOT TAKING ME SERIOUSLY ONLY BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE AND RETURNED THE CAR TO THEM AFTER HAVING TO PAY THEM SOME MONEY. I ASKED WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH THE CAR AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD RESELL IT. WHEN I SHOWED CONCERN FOR THE NEXT OWNERS SAFETY THEY TOLD ME "IT IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM ANYMORE" I WAS VERY DISSAPOINTED BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SINCE THE DAY I TURNED 18 AND HAVE ONLY BOUGHT TOYOTAS. I STILL CAN NOT BELEIVE THAT THEY WILL RESELL IT THE WAY IT IS AFTER THEY KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO IT NOT ONCE BUT 2 TIMES BEFORE, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO THAT CAR AGAIN. I AM PREGNANT AND AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I REACTED ON TIME AND WAS ABLE TO PROP THE PETAL BACK INTO PLACE IF I HADNT I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT ME AND MY BABY COULD HAVE GOT REALLY HURT NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. PLEASE CONTACT TOYOTA AND HAVE THEM DO FURTHER TESTS ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT RESULTS FATAL ONCE AGAIN IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO TOYOTA. ( ALSO, I HAD NO FLOOR MATS IN MY CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT). *TR
I HAVE A 2011 SCION TC AND SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE NOTICED ONLY ONE REVERSE LIGHT WORKS. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS HOW SCION MANUFACTURED ALL THEIR 2011 SCION TC'S. THE THING THAT REALLY THROWS ME OFF IS THAT IT HAS THE AESTHETIC APPEARANCE OF TWO REVERSE LIGHTS BUT ONLY ONE WORKS. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY CLOSE CALLS I'VE HAD BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A PASSING CAR BECAUSE THEY AREN'T ABLE TO SEE MY REVERSE LIGHT. NOT TO MENTION, PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE OF THIS. *TT
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2011 Scion tC has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 29 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Scion tC.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2011 Scion tC.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 Scion tC are exterior lighting (6 reports), visibility (3 reports), structure (2 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2011 Scion tC. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.