Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

29 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

transmission slipping 2fire 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11143012 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
6

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 6
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11327451 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
3

Most reports here involve transmission slipping.

transmission slipping 1premature wear 1loss of braking 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11322269 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC EQUIPPED WITH TOYO PROXES ST II TIRES, SIZE P225/45/18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING LANES AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE DROVE OVER A REFLECTOR IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC EQUIPPED WITH TOYO PROXES ST II TIRES, SIZE P225/45/18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING LANES AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE DROVE OVER A REFLECTOR IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AS A REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10433024 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 1airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11034397 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
10

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 10
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11364895 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
3

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration.

unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11702254 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 29 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2025, roughly 2 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.