NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 60 owner complaints for the 2009 Scion TC. Most complaints involve engine (15) and air bags (9). The EPA rates it 23–24 mpg combined.
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“sold a AS IS TRADE IN vehicle that had no warning lights on dashboard or window info on safety defective emmisons and ecm and has not been very helpful with my vehicle I have not been able to drive because of safety concerns with recent discovery of codes that showed after getting a new battery for my new way of commuteing to work and live daily activity like most with a car I laid 2,050.15 and was told many times at test drive that it was amazing running sports car and mentioned he only had to replace valve cover gasket before it was able to be sold and at time of payment with test drive only showing signs of low rpm and throttle idle on test drive so trusting that the owner was telling me the truth I purchased and drove car home I needed gas because fuel was empty and when I went to pump into tank I got major clicking of the handle like my new car wouldn't take fuel for some weird reason owner at dealership was called 5 mins after buying on auto lot to express major concern with pumping gas he again said vehicle was inspected with nothing of concern now finding that it is going to cost many thousands to repair emmisons system And fault codes with total…”
“I HAD A BAD MVA ACCIDENT ON 6/12/2019 @ 0815AM IN THE MORNING, A LADY T BONE ME WITH FAST IMPACTION, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR THE SIDE AIR BAG CURTAINS DEPLOYED DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS DID MALFUNCTION IN MY OPINON AND CAUSED ME TO HIT MY HEAD AND CHEST HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT THE ENTIRE TIME AS WELL. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE DRIVER HIT ME ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS A HARD IMPACT TO THE CAR. THE SENSORS APPEAR NOT TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY SINCE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS HARD IMPACTION.”
“I HAVE HAD MY 2009 SCION TC FOR JUST ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW, BACK IN FEBRUARY I WAS JUST DOING SOME GROCERY SHOPPING, WENT TO OPEN THE TRUNK AND THE WHOLE TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE FELL OFF,AND NOW IS JUST CONNECTED BY WIRES WHICH IS A DISTRACTION TO DRIVERS BEHIND ME AND ALSO COVERS THE LICENSE PLATE WHICH I'M SURE IS JUST CAUSE FOR ME TO GET A TRAFFIC FINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID ITS NOT UNDER WARRANTY,EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A FULL WARRANTY LEFT ON MY CAR FOR 100,00 MILES. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE THAT THIS PART ISN'T COVERED FOR MANUFACTURE DEFECTS AND POOR WORKMANSHIP, THIS SHOULD NOT FALL APART AFTER 2 YEARS, AND IT CLEARLY SHOULD BE RECALLED.. IF TOYOTA WANTS TO KEEP SELLING CARS, THEY NEED TO MAKE GOOD ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM.. MY CAR HAS A WARRANTY ON IT SO I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE FALLEN OFF SO EASILY!!!! POOR MANUFACTURING........AND WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, TOYOTA SHOULD DEFINITELY BE TAKING CARE OF THERE CUSTOMERS IF THEY WANT FUTURE CUSTOMERS!!!!!!!! *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tC Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| tC Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (15), air bags (9), structure (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Scion TC at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).