Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Scion TC problems

Owners filed 117 complaints about the 2007 Scion TC with NHTSA between Sep 2006 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is engine (32).

Complaints
117
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
21
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
27
People reported injured
Deaths
9
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine32
  2. Visibility21
  3. Structure16
  4. Vehicle speed control11
  5. Air bags8
  6. Latches/locks/linkages7
  7. Power train6
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  9. Seat belts4
  10. Wheels4
  11. Electrical system3
  12. Engine and engine cooling3
  13. Exterior lighting2
  14. Tires2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20062
200710
20086
20097
201026
20116
20129
20136
20148
20156
201611
20179
20185
20194
20200
20210
20220
20230
20240
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

32 reports2 fires
“When I bought this car, there was a couple recalls within 5 years of owning. One was fixed. The second was an oil consumption issue that my car passed by 100 miles and I was told it would not be covered. For the last few years the oil consumption has gotten worse. I have to put oil in the car when the light comes on, which is anywhere between 1k and 2k miles. As I'm driving, it can smell of burning, or start shaking, etc.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2025EngineODI 11651587

Visibility

21 reports
“THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 50 DEGREES AND SUNNY I HAD JUST LEFT CHURCH SERVICES SO THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING OUT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS. I WAS IN THE CAR DOING ABOUT 40 MPH AND I HEARD A POP-LIKE THAT OF A CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE- AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SAND ON THE FLOOR. I LOOKED AROUND TO MAKE SURE A BUG OR REPTILE HADN'T GOTTEN INTO MY CAR. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS MORNING 12/3/2014 TEMPERATURE AROUND 43 DEGREES AND NOTICED THAT MY GLASS WIND DEFLECTOR WHAT SHATTERED AROUND THE EDGES. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR AND I LIVE IN A GATE COMMUNITY SO I DIDN'T THINK THAT IT WAS AN ACT OF VANDALISM. I SPENT 3 YEARS IN ALASKA AND I KNOW WHAT FROZEN GLASS COULD DO IF EXPOSED TO DIRECT EXTREME HEAT. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I AM LOOKING INTO GETTING IT REPLACED BUT JUDGING FROM THE FORUMS AND THIS SITE DOESN'T SEEM LIKE TOYOTA WILL COVER MY 2007 SCION TC WHICH I THINK IS A VERY DISHONORABLE THING TO DO. MANY TC OWNERS ARE HAVING A TIME WITH VEHICLES THAT HAVE INCURRED THIS ISSUE THAT THEY DIDN'T CAUSE AND COULDN'T PREVENT. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2014VisibilityODI 10669371

Structure

16 reports1 crash1 fire
“VEHICLE BURNING OIL AT INCREASINGLY FAST RATE, LARGE OIL CONSUMPTION. NO OIL LIGHT OR DASHBOARD WARNING. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SHUT DOWN... I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER GOT OUT...MY CAR WAS SMOKING... WITHIN MINUTES MY CAR WAS IN FLAMES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2018Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11110452

Vehicle speed control

11 reports9 crashes2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,385. UPDATED 3/14/12*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2012Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10444371

Air bags

8 reports6 crashes
“MY AIR BAGS IN MY SEATS DON'T WORK AT ALL. NEITHER DOES MY AIR BAG IN MY WHEEL. THE TIRES SHAKES WHEN I DRIVE PAST 60 AND THE RIMS ARE NOT SAFE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO MY CHILD WHAT IF SHE GETS IN A ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT BUCKLE AND SEAT WILL NOT GO BACK. 95000 MILES AND THIS IS REDICULIOUS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2019Air bags, Seat belts, WheelsODI 11185984

Latches/locks/linkages

7 reports
“MY TRUNK LATCH PANEL BROKE OFF WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. I DISCOVERED THE PANEL WAS BEING HELD ON BY A FLIMSY PLASTIC PIECE THAT APPEARS TO HAVE DRY ROTTED OR SOMETHING. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED MANY SCION TC MODELS AROUND TOWN THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2012Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10447960
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.