← New search

2008 Scion Tc

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Scion Tc do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 25.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

75 reports with mileage · 11 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.

  • Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

86 reports
113,000 miles · Aug 23, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10897948

140,000 miles · May 3, 2016
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED B…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE SPUN INTO THE GRASS AND STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10862856

86,000 miles · Apr 14, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE FIRST IS ISSUE IS THE OIL CONSUMPTION IT CONSUME ALMOST 1Q IN 2K WHICH IS NOT WHAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE HAPPENING. I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND THE ENGINE BLEW WITH NO WARNING NO OIL LIGHT ON NOTHING.

NHTSA ODI #10855528

85,000 miles · Mar 29, 2016
Air Bags

WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING, PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE DOOR. THE AIRBAG CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. TOYOTA KEPT THE CAR FOR 65 DAYS. THE LETTER SENT TO ME STATED THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY WERE SORRY FOR THE MISHAP.

NHTSA ODI #10852170

160,000 miles · Jan 16, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR I HAVE FELT AS IF I WAS GOING TO BE SLUNG INTO TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE ,HIGHWAYS, CITY ROADS , COUNTRY ROADS, AND DEFINITELY IN MOST CURVES. IT'S LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN GOING WHERE IT WANTS AT LOW SPEEDS YOU CAN'T FEEL OR SEE IT TO MUCH BUT AFTER AROUND 35 TO 40 IS WHEN IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE …

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR I HAVE FELT AS IF I WAS GOING TO BE SLUNG INTO TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE ,HIGHWAYS, CITY ROADS , COUNTRY ROADS, AND DEFINITELY IN MOST CURVES. IT'S LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN GOING WHERE IT WANTS AT LOW SPEEDS YOU CAN'T FEEL OR SEE IT TO MUCH BUT AFTER AROUND 35 TO 40 IS WHEN IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE I FEEL THAT I GOT I WILL TRADE FOR SOME THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED OUT. AS I WAS GOING AROUND A TURN ONE DAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED HARDER INTO THE TURN SO I TRIED TO ADJUST BUT IT SENT ME INTO A FISHTAIL AND BEFORE I COULD GET OFF THE ROAD I IMPACTED WITH ANOTHER CAR WHICH DEPLOYED SEVEN AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ODI #10820602

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2015
Engine

I HAVE AN 08' TOYOTA SCION TC THAT IS BURNING OIL AT AN ABNORMAL RATE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOPPED OFF MY OIL AND TAPED THE DIPSTICK DOWN AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK AFTER I DRIVE IT ABOUT 1200 MILES. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 1200 MILES AND AFTER WAITING HOURS FOR THEM TO CHECK THE OIL ON…

Read full complaint

I HAVE AN 08' TOYOTA SCION TC THAT IS BURNING OIL AT AN ABNORMAL RATE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOPPED OFF MY OIL AND TAPED THE DIPSTICK DOWN AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK AFTER I DRIVE IT ABOUT 1200 MILES. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 1200 MILES AND AFTER WAITING HOURS FOR THEM TO CHECK THE OIL ONLY FOR THEM TO COME OUT AND TELL ME EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. I ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS ANY OIL LOSS AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S NORMAL FOR OLDER ENGINES TO BURN OIL. NOT IN MY BOOK, NOT FOR ANY VEHICLE. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR TOYOTA FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM. SOMEONE WITH OVER 200,00 MILES ON THEIR TOYOTA AND NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK HAVING THE OIL LIGHT COME ON BEFORE THE NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IS NORMAL. BUT I'M A 26 YEAR OLD FEMALE SO WHAT DO I KNOW RIGHT? I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT NORMAL. THIS HAS BECOME SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE THAT ALL I WANT IS THE PROBLEM FIXED. FOR THEM TO TAKE APART MY ENGINE AND REPLACE THE [XXX] PISTONS SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CHECKING MY OIL EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MISTAKE AND I WOULD LIKE IT FIXED IF THEY WANT ME TO STAY A TOYOTA CUSTOMER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10810141

87,807 miles · Dec 12, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

I GOT ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING TO PICK UP MY MOM IN THE SUNDAY MORNING AROUND 6:50 AM SHE WORKS IN LAX DRIVING ON THE 110 SOUTH FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES,CA. THIS HAPPEN BETWEEN MANCHESTER AND CENTURY . I WAS IN THE THIRD LANE ON THE FREEWAY I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR MOTION AND I SWITCH LANE TO THE RIGHT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LO…

Read full complaint

I GOT ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING TO PICK UP MY MOM IN THE SUNDAY MORNING AROUND 6:50 AM SHE WORKS IN LAX DRIVING ON THE 110 SOUTH FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES,CA. THIS HAPPEN BETWEEN MANCHESTER AND CENTURY . I WAS IN THE THIRD LANE ON THE FREEWAY I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR MOTION AND I SWITCH LANE TO THE RIGHT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCK ON ME AFTER SWITCHING LANE MY BREAK PEDAL WASN'T WORKING AND THE STEERING WASN'T RESPONDING TO THE LEFT , THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS MERGING REALLY FAST PASSING 2-1 LANES UNTIL I HIT THE WALL AND MY CAR FLIP UP-SIDE DOWN ROLLING FOR 13 SECONDS UP SIDE DOWN ON SIDE THE WALL. MY AIR BAG WHEN OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS UP SIDE DOWN. I LOOK AT THE RADIO AND SAW WHITE SMOKE I TURN OFF THE CAR,UN BUCKLE MY SEAT BELT UP-SIDE DOWN, CRAW OUT SIDE THE PASSENGER WINDOW. I GOT UP AND TOOK A PICTURE AND CALLED THE TOYOTA CORPORATION NOW UM WAITING FOR INSPECTION. FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLE TO BE DEFECTED WELL UM LETTING PEOPLE BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON SCION TC 2008 I O MOST LOST MY LIFE. NOW I HAVE CUT FINGER SKIN AND LEFT ANKLE HURTS FROM TRYING TO USE THE BREAK PEDAL MY ELBOW HAS SCAR FRO THE WINDOW BREAKING I COVER MY FACE CROSSING MY ELBOWS AS A SHIELD FOR MY HEAD I HAD A SWEATER AND LONG SLEEVE MY IT STILL CUT MY LEFT ELBOW. I AM THE TITLE OWNER AND TOOK ME 7 YEARS TO PAY OFF THIS CAR BUT NOW I WANT MY MONEY BACK OR A REPLACE VEHICLE. I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY AND I KNOW THE INSURANCE WONT BELIEVE ME.

NHTSA ODI #10809817

42,000 miles · Nov 19, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR GARNISH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GARNISH ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR GARNISH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GARNISH ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10794942

136,816 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Engine

MY SCION TC WAS TAKEN TO DCH TOYOTA & SCION OF TORRANCE FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON MAR 03, 2015 AT 129,050 MILES AND AGAIN ON MAY 21, 2015 AT 132,611 MILES. NO ACTION REGARDING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION WAS TAKEN. ON OCT 5, 2015 WHILE DRIVING ON 110 FWY IN LA ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND CAR NEEDED TO BE SHIFT IN TO NEUTRA…

Read full complaint

MY SCION TC WAS TAKEN TO DCH TOYOTA & SCION OF TORRANCE FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON MAR 03, 2015 AT 129,050 MILES AND AGAIN ON MAY 21, 2015 AT 132,611 MILES. NO ACTION REGARDING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION WAS TAKEN. ON OCT 5, 2015 WHILE DRIVING ON 110 FWY IN LA ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND CAR NEEDED TO BE SHIFT IN TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO ROLL TO THE SIDE. THIS PUT ME IN TO GRATE DANGER SINCE EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING. CAR WAS TOWED TO IN TO SHOP WHERE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT ENGINE HAS SEIZED. IT HAD LOW OIL LEVEL AND ALUMINUM RESIDUE IN IT. HIS CONCLUSION BASED ON TOYOTA OWN ADMIT ION OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND FACT THAT CAR HAD AT THE TIME 136,816 MILES AND NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE SUPPOSE TO BE AT 139,387 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE AND CLUTCH TO HAVE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA FOR REIMBURSEMENT ACCORDING WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION - ZE7. THEIR RESPONSE WERE THAT I DO NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR REIMBURSEMENT. MY OPINION IS THAT THEY HAVE MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH MANY SCION TC ENGINES IN REGARD OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST. THEY KNOW ABOUT IT AND THEY DID NOTHING WHEN I BROUGHT CAR TWICE FOR TEST AND REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10794737

70,000 miles · Oct 2, 2015
WheelsCrashInjury

DRIVING AT 50 MPH,BEING FORCED TO RIGHT PAVING EDGE,CORRECTED QUICKLY TO LEFT,CAR WENT OVER CENTER LINE AND VERY EXTREME SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH WITH DRIVER AND FRONT SET PASSENGER .CAR WAS BEYOND DISTROYED.LOSS OF CONTROL UNKNOWN.ONE FACT THAT IS PRESENT IS LEFT FRONT TIRE HAS NO AIR IN TIRE,STILL ON WHEEL,AND NO DAMAGE TO TIRE.I …

Read full complaint

DRIVING AT 50 MPH,BEING FORCED TO RIGHT PAVING EDGE,CORRECTED QUICKLY TO LEFT,CAR WENT OVER CENTER LINE AND VERY EXTREME SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH WITH DRIVER AND FRONT SET PASSENGER .CAR WAS BEYOND DISTROYED.LOSS OF CONTROL UNKNOWN.ONE FACT THAT IS PRESENT IS LEFT FRONT TIRE HAS NO AIR IN TIRE,STILL ON WHEEL,AND NO DAMAGE TO TIRE.I FEEL THE TIRE WAS FORCE OFF WHEEL BEAD ,AIR LOSS INSTANTLY,AND WAS LIKE A BLOWOUT.THE ONLY MARKINGS ON ROAD WAS THE TIRE THREAD PATTERN WITHOUT ANY SKID MARKS AND A LIGHT SCARTCH MARK,OUTSIDE OF TIRE MARKS.TIRES WE REPLACED BY TOYOTA DEALER,,7,000 MILES,LIKE NEW,ROTATED,INSPECTD,GAGE AIR CHECKED 5000 MILES/6 MONTHS AGO ,TPS LIGHT NOT ON,SO NO REASON TO THINK LOW AIR PRESSURE NOR ANY TIRE ISSUE .TIRE IS BRIDGESTONE POTENZA 215/45R17 91V.WHEEL IS ORGINAL EQUIPMENT ALLOY 6 DOUBLE SPOKE,TIRE SIZE SAME AS ORGINAL.NO AIR,TIRE THREAD PATTEN PRINTED ON ROAD BUY RUBBER ONLY ,SCRATCH MADE BY OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE WHEEL AS ONLY POSSIBLE CAUSE,SO DID TIRE DEFLATE AND OVER CORRECT DRIVERS ACTIONS .BOTH ARE OK,AND 2 OTHERS THAT SAW ACCIDENT HAPPEN CAN NOT PLACE CAUSE.POLICE ALSO CAN NOT .NO DRINKING,DRUGS,CELL PHONES ECT.AT SITE 2 ADITIONAL TIRES DEFALTED ,STILL ON WHEELS,WITH ONLY ONE REAR WHEEL INFLATED,LEFT REAR,WHERE CAR HAS LITTLE DAMAGE.LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION IS DETACHED ALLOWING WHEEL TO TURN HARD TO LEFT AND UPWARD ,ASSUMED TO BE ACCIDENT DAMAGE,BUT DID STEERING/ SUSPENCION BRAKE LOOSE BEFORE ACCIDENT ? IS THIS A LOW PROFILE PERFORMANCE TIRE/WHEEL ACCIDENT ???

NHTSA ODI #10779281

Official recalls

3

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.

09V223000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 15, 2009

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.