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2006 Scion Tc

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tc years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Scion Tc are substantially higher than the model-year median of 25.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

131 reports with mileage · 30 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 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports3 fire reports28 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

5 reports
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287,000 miles · Jan 22, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2006 Scion TC. The contact stated that after performing a vehicle inspection of the engine compartment, he became aware that the coolant reservoir was abnormally low; eventually finding a leak near the rear of the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who…

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The contact owns a 2006 Scion TC. The contact stated that after performing a vehicle inspection of the engine compartment, he became aware that the coolant reservoir was abnormally low; eventually finding a leak near the rear of the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the cylinder head bolts resulting in a coolant leak. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: S-SB-0004-11. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 287,000.

NHTSA ODI #11637794

81,910 miles · Oct 8, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

HEAD GASKET LEAKING FOUND 6 HEAD BOLTS LOOSE. INSTALLED NEW HEAD GASKET SET, NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD. PAID 2000 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS, NOW HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. MAKES LOUD NOISE AND OVERHEATS. MECHANIC AND BAR AGENT ADVISED IT WAS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. HEADBOLTS CAME LOOSE AGAIN AND NOW I NEED NEW ENGINE. PREVIOUS TO THIS…

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HEAD GASKET LEAKING FOUND 6 HEAD BOLTS LOOSE. INSTALLED NEW HEAD GASKET SET, NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD. PAID 2000 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS, NOW HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. MAKES LOUD NOISE AND OVERHEATS. MECHANIC AND BAR AGENT ADVISED IT WAS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. HEADBOLTS CAME LOOSE AGAIN AND NOW I NEED NEW ENGINE. PREVIOUS TO THIS MY INSURANCE HAD PAID A TOTAL OF 5000 DOLLARS FOR SOME MECHANICAL AND BODY WORK. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR ALMOST SEVEN MONTHS NOW. CALLED TOYOTA MANUFACTURE COMPANY THEY TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IF THEY CHARGED ME. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO AFFORD THE REPAIR AGAIN AND TO BUY A NEW ENGINE. I JUST NEED IT TO BE INSPECTED ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL FROM THE BUREAU OF AUTO REPAIR CONFIRM THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479264

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE COVER IS CRACKED, THIS COVER HAS NEVER BEEN REMOVED FOR ANY TYPE OF REPAIR. WONDERING IF THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE CAUSED IT TO CRACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10437310

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR WAS LEAKING COOLANT OUT OF THREE HEAD BOLTS ON BACK OF ENGINE BLOCK. THEY WERE STRIPPED OUT BECAUSE OF TOYOTA IMPROPER DESIGN OF THE BLOCK. 4 1/2" HOLE WITH 4" BOLT WITH ONLY THE BOTTOM 1 1/2" THREADED WHICH IS ONLY AN INCH TO INCH THREAD. POUR DESIGN FOR …

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TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR WAS LEAKING COOLANT OUT OF THREE HEAD BOLTS ON BACK OF ENGINE BLOCK. THEY WERE STRIPPED OUT BECAUSE OF TOYOTA IMPROPER DESIGN OF THE BLOCK. 4 1/2" HOLE WITH 4" BOLT WITH ONLY THE BOTTOM 1 1/2" THREADED WHICH IS ONLY AN INCH TO INCH THREAD. POUR DESIGN FOR AN ALUMINUM BLOCK FOR THAT TENSILE STRENGTH. ITS AN 06 SCION TC THEY WANTED 6000 TO REPLACE BLOCK. EVEN CALLED CORPORATE BUT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SINCE ITS OUTSIDE OF POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHEN THEY KNOW ITS A KNOWN ISSUE. THEY EVEN ISSUED A TSB OUT IN 3/2/2011. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE I HAVE SEEN MANY CASES ON THIS ISSUE AND TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR PROBLEM AND THEIR POUR DESIGNS. SERVICE BULLETIN: S-SB-0004-11. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429474

70,000 miles · May 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXITING HIGHWAY, OIL LIGHT ON MY 2006 SCION TC FLICKERED ON. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK, ALL THERE WAS IS A BLACK GOOP. I REGULARLY CHANGE MY OIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332458

Official recalls

5

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.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

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

1

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.