← New search

2005 Scion Tc

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tc years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Scion Tc are substantially higher than the model-year median of 25.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

113 reports with mileage · 42 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports3 fire reports24 injury reports

Seats complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
60,010 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Seats

3 DAYS AGO DRIVERS SEAT BACK LEVER COULD NOT BE USED TO RESTORE SEAT BACK POSITION AND HAD TO USE LEVER LOCATED NEXT TO SEAT BOTTOM. TODAY LEVER COULD BE MOVED BUT DID NOT WORK AND SEAT BACK AGAIN HAD TO BE REPOSITIONED USING THE OTHER LEVER. AIRBAGS ARE LOCATED IN THE SEAT SO AN APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR THE 22ND OF THIS MON…

Read full complaint

3 DAYS AGO DRIVERS SEAT BACK LEVER COULD NOT BE USED TO RESTORE SEAT BACK POSITION AND HAD TO USE LEVER LOCATED NEXT TO SEAT BOTTOM. TODAY LEVER COULD BE MOVED BUT DID NOT WORK AND SEAT BACK AGAIN HAD TO BE REPOSITIONED USING THE OTHER LEVER. AIRBAGS ARE LOCATED IN THE SEAT SO AN APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR THE 22ND OF THIS MONTH WITH THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312208

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2009
Seat BeltsSeatsCrashInjury

MY SON LOST HIS LIFE ON DEC 11, 2008 HE WAS RIDING PASSENGER IN HIS OWN CAR, WHEN HIS FRIEND WHOM DRIVING LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SLID SIDE WAYS, PASSENGER SIDE INTO A UTILITY POLE SLID AROUND AND REAR ENDED A TREE, AT WHICH TIME MY SON WAS EJECTED OUT THROUGH THE BACK WINDOW AS A RESULT TO HIS DEATH. HE HAD HIS SEA…

Read full complaint

MY SON LOST HIS LIFE ON DEC 11, 2008 HE WAS RIDING PASSENGER IN HIS OWN CAR, WHEN HIS FRIEND WHOM DRIVING LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SLID SIDE WAYS, PASSENGER SIDE INTO A UTILITY POLE SLID AROUND AND REAR ENDED A TREE, AT WHICH TIME MY SON WAS EJECTED OUT THROUGH THE BACK WINDOW AS A RESULT TO HIS DEATH. HE HAD HIS SEAT RECLINED, IN WHICH YOU SEE PEOPLE DOING THIS ALL THE TIME WHILE TRAVELING. THE AUTO MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO NOT ONLY PUT HAVE THIS THERE OWNERS MANUEL (WHICH PEOPLE DON'T READ UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM) THE AUTO MAKERS NEED TO PUT A STICKER ON THE SUN VISOR TO WARN DRIVERS/PASSENGERS NOT RIDE OR DRIVE WITH THE SEAT RECLINED. I HAVE CHECK ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THE AUTO MAKERS ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND CONGRESS ARE THE FEDS HAS YET TO MAKE THE AUTO MAKERS DO ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, HOW MANY MORE KIDS WILL IT TAKE BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS... BY THE WAY I ONLY HAD ONE SON, WHO I LOVED VERY MUCH AND NOW HE IS GONE...PLEASE IF ANYTHING MAKE THE AUTO MAKERS DO SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257532

Official recalls

4

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

06V408000 · Air Bags:side/window

Oct 26, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS MAY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR IF THE DOOR FOR THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CLOSED WITH A HIGH RATE OF FORCE WHILE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION IS IN THE "ON" POSITION OR WITHIN 90 SECONDS OF TURNING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE "ON" POSITION TO THE "OFF" POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY, THEY COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE DOOR THAT IS CLOSED WITH A HIGH RATE OF FORCE. UNTIL THE REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A MINIMAL FORCE/SPEED BE USED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS OR CLOSING THE DOORS AFTER 90 SECONDS HAVE ELAPSED FROM TURNING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE "ON" TO THE "OFF" POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SENSORS AND INSTALL A URETHANE PAD IN THE FRONT DOORS, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-866-548-1851.

06V096000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

05V483000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Oct 18, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A GLASS WIND DEFLECTOR, THE DEFLECTOR, IF IMPACTED BY A PROJECTILE, SUCH AS ROAD DEBRIS, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WIND DEFLECTOR IN THE UPWARD-TILTED POSITION AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, MAY SHATTER AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PIECES OF THE WIND DEFLECTOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME AND FALL UPON THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE LAMINATE TO THE WIND DEFLECTOR TO PREVENT PIECES OF GLASS FROM SEPARATING FROM THE WIND DEFLECTOR FRAME. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-866-707-2466.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE06024 · Glass Moonroof Shatters

Opened Jul 7, 2006 · Closed Dec 6, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

ODI'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SUSTAIN MOONROOF SHATTERING AND/OR DAMAGE AT RATES COMPARABLE TO THOSE FOR MOST OTHER SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES.THIS REVIEW ALSO DISCLOSES THAT SUCH INCIDENTS OCCUR IN MOST VEHICLES WITH MOONROOFS AND THAT WHILE TEMPERED GLASS PANELS COMMONLY USED IN MOONROOF FABRICATION ARE SHATTER-RESISTANT, SOME CATASTROPHIC FAILURES DO IN FACT OCCUR.IMPACT WITH SMALL STONES OR ROAD DEBRIS MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE OR DELAYED SHATTER INCIDENTS, DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE GLASS MOONROOF PANEL.THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDES THAT INCIDENTS OF MOONROOF SHATTER ARE RANDOM OCCURRENCES THAT RESULT PRIMARILY FROM IMPACT WITH SMALL STONES OR OTHER OBJECTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THIS PE HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

ODI'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SUSTAIN MOONROOF SHATTERING AND/OR DAMAGE AT RATES COMPARABLE TO THOSE FOR MOST OTHER SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES.THIS REVIEW ALSO DISCLOSES THAT SUCH INCIDENTS OCCUR IN MOST VEHICLES WITH MOONROOFS AND THAT WHILE TEMPERED GLASS PANELS COMMONLY USED IN MOONROOF FABRICATION ARE SHATTER-RESISTANT, SOME CATASTROPHIC FAILURES DO IN FACT OCCUR.IMPACT WITH SMALL STONES OR ROAD DEBRIS MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE OR DELAYED SHATTER INCIDENTS, DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE GLASS MOONROOF PANEL.THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDES THAT INCIDENTS OF MOONROOF SHATTER ARE RANDOM OCCURRENCES THAT RESULT PRIMARILY FROM IMPACT WITH SMALL STONES OR OTHER OBJECTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THIS PE HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

ODI'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SUSTAIN MOONROOF SHATTERING AND/OR DAMAGE AT RATES COMPARABLE TO THOSE FOR MOST OTHER SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES.THIS REVIEW ALSO DISCLOSES THAT SUCH INCIDENTS OCCUR IN MOST VEHICLES WITH MOONROOFS AND THAT WHILE TEMPERED GLASS PANELS COMMONLY USED IN MOONROOF FABRICATION ARE SHATTER-RESISTANT, SOME CATASTROPHIC FAILURES DO IN FACT OCCUR.IMPACT WITH SMALL STONES OR ROAD DEBRIS MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE OR DELAYED SHATTER INCIDENTS, DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE GLASS MOONROOF PANEL.THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDES THAT INCIDENTS OF MOONROOF SHATTER ARE RANDOM OCCURRENCES THAT RESULT PRIMARILY FROM IMPACT WITH SMALL STONES OR OTHER OBJECTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THIS PE HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

EA05013 · Sun/moon Roof Wind Deflector Breakage

Opened Aug 26, 2005 · Closed Oct 26, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 17, 2005, THAT A SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED NO.05V-483 TO THE RECALL.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL CONSIST OF INSTALLING A PLASTIC FILM TO THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE WIND DEFLECTOR GLASS.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE PERFORMED ON APPROXIMATELY 71,400 MY 2005 AND 2006 SCION TC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED DURING THE PERIOD OF MARCH 12, 2004 THROUGH JULY 21, 2005. BASED ON THIS ACTION, THE SUBJECT EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.

PE05021 · Sun/moon Roof Wind Deflector Breakage

Opened Apr 28, 2005 · Closed Aug 26, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS OF DEFICIENCIES IN THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, OR ASSEMBLY OF THE WIND DEFLECTOR THAT MAY ACCOUNT FOR THE INCIDENTS REPORTED.THE MANUFACTURER ALSO BELIEVES THAT IMPACT OF AIRBORNE ROAD DEBRIS WITH THE WIND DEFLECTOR IS THE PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE INCIDENTS REPORTED.ODI'S ANALYSES OF THE WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT INCIDENTS OF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGE WHILE DRIVING WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR OVER TIME, AS THE POPULATION AND ON-ROAD EXPOSURE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES INCREASE.THE EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE FOR SUCH BREAKAGE, THE BROKEN GLASS PARTICLES AND FRAGMENTS MAY FALL DIRECTLY ONTO THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS OF THESE VEHICLES.THESE OCCURRENCES MAY POSE A RISK OF DRIVER DISTRACTION AND PERSONAL INJURY.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS MATTER.