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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

What owners actually said

155 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2004
Air BagsVisibility

SCION ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMBINATION OF ACCESSORIES:1) AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR AND 2) SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS. WHEN THE MIRROR IS INSTALLED THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE WIRING OBSTRUCTS THE AIR BAGS. THEY CLAIM A TSB WILL BE ISSUED BUT CAN GIVE ME NO TIME LINE FOR THE ISSUE OF A NEW WIRING HARNESS. DEALERS WILL NOT EVEN …

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SCION ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMBINATION OF ACCESSORIES:1) AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR AND 2) SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS. WHEN THE MIRROR IS INSTALLED THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE WIRING OBSTRUCTS THE AIR BAGS. THEY CLAIM A TSB WILL BE ISSUED BUT CAN GIVE ME NO TIME LINE FOR THE ISSUE OF A NEW WIRING HARNESS. DEALERS WILL NOT EVEN PULL THE DRIVER'S "A" PILLAR TRIM TO SEE IF THE WIRING HAPPENS TO BE CORRECT. SO, WE JUST WAIT ... AND WAIT ... AND WAIT AND PRAY THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE AIRBAGS TO FUNCTION. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE "LID" COVERING THE RADIO. IT FUNCTIONS WHEN IT WANTS - OFTEN TAKING MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO OPEN. ON THE OPEN ROAD THIS IS QUITE A DISTRACTION. WE ALL KNOW HOW MANY ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSE BY SUCH "MINOR" DISTRACTIONS AS TUNING THE RADIO, TALKING ON MY PHONE, ETC. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10100506

3,000 miles · Oct 25, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TOOK FOOT OFF GAS TO SLOW DOWN WHEN APPROACHING CURVE. RAKED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN ENTERING CURVE AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW...FULLY ENGAGED BRAKE AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND KEPT ACCELERATING. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT WHICH CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS IS BRAND NEW SCION TC PURC…

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TOOK FOOT OFF GAS TO SLOW DOWN WHEN APPROACHING CURVE. RAKED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN ENTERING CURVE AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW...FULLY ENGAGED BRAKE AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND KEPT ACCELERATING. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT WHICH CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS IS BRAND NEW SCION TC PURCHASED 09/01/04. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10096335

3,980 miles · Oct 19, 2004
Visibility

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 70 MPH. I HAD THE SUN ROOF OPENED. WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD CRACK AND GLASS CAME POURING IN FROM THE SUNROOF OPENING. I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP BY MY HOUSE. THE FRONT PANEL THAT ANGLES UP WAS BROKEN ALL AROUND THE ENTIRE PIECE OF GLASS. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE A POIN…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 70 MPH. I HAD THE SUN ROOF OPENED. WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD CRACK AND GLASS CAME POURING IN FROM THE SUNROOF OPENING. I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP BY MY HOUSE. THE FRONT PANEL THAT ANGLES UP WAS BROKEN ALL AROUND THE ENTIRE PIECE OF GLASS. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE A POINT OF IMPACT WHERE SOMETHING MAY HAVE HIT. HE SAID HE COULD STILL HEAR IT CRACKING AS WE WERE STANDING THERE TALKING. HE SAID SINCE THERE WAS NO POINT OF IMPACT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. (I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR A MONTH.) I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING FOR THE PIECE TO COME IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONE OTHER TIME THAT I'VE HEARD OF FROM A SCION WEB SITE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HADN'T DUCKED DOWN WHEN I HEARD THE CRACK. EVEN WITH DUCKING DOWN I HAD GLASS DOWN THE FRONT OF MY SHIRT, THE BACK OF MY SHIRT AND IN BETWEEN MY BACK THE THE SEAT OF THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096059

429 miles · Aug 24, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON AUGUST 17 @ ABOUT 4:30 P.M. IN THER AFTERNOON THE WHEELS ON MY SCION TC LOCKED UP GOING ABOUT 35 MPH ON THE HYPERION BRIDGE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN ON A SLIGHT TURN AT THE END OF THE BRIDGE AND THE REAR OF THE CAR FISHTAILED AND MY REAR RIGHT WHEEL HIT AND SCRAPED THE CURB. NOTHING YET HAS BEEN DONE TO CO…

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ON AUGUST 17 @ ABOUT 4:30 P.M. IN THER AFTERNOON THE WHEELS ON MY SCION TC LOCKED UP GOING ABOUT 35 MPH ON THE HYPERION BRIDGE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN ON A SLIGHT TURN AT THE END OF THE BRIDGE AND THE REAR OF THE CAR FISHTAILED AND MY REAR RIGHT WHEEL HIT AND SCRAPED THE CURB. NOTHING YET HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA/SCION. IT HAS TAKEN THEM A WEEK TO EVEN GET BACK TO ME TO TELL ME THAT A FIELD ENGINEER WILL BE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP (TOYOTA OF GLENDALE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088472

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2004
Visibility

A YOUNGSTER WEIGHING 140 LBS. LEANED ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IT SHATTERED. IT HAS BEEN 5 DAYS, AND WHEN CONTACTING MANUFACTURER'S HEADQUARTERS, THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD FOR FREE ON THE BASIS THAT THEY COULD NOT CONFIRM IT WAS DEFECTIVE AFTER THE FACT! IT BOTHERS ME TO THINK THAT A 'PERFECTLY GOOD, SAFE' WINDSHIELD CAN …

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A YOUNGSTER WEIGHING 140 LBS. LEANED ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IT SHATTERED. IT HAS BEEN 5 DAYS, AND WHEN CONTACTING MANUFACTURER'S HEADQUARTERS, THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD FOR FREE ON THE BASIS THAT THEY COULD NOT CONFIRM IT WAS DEFECTIVE AFTER THE FACT! IT BOTHERS ME TO THINK THAT A 'PERFECTLY GOOD, SAFE' WINDSHIELD CAN BE SHATTERED BY MERELY 'LEANING' ON IT! WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I CRASH? OR IF A PALM TREE BRANCH FALLS ON IT? I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO DIE OR GET INJURED TO FIND OUT! *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068288

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.