AI Damage2011 Scion TC: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Scion TC filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and visibility. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 29
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 21% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 21% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 6 complaints (21% of all).
- Visibility: 6 complaints (21% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (14% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Structure: 3 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 29 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact's vehicle was rear ended, causing it to spin around and burst into flames. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruises and injuries to the neck, and back. The contact was unaware if there were any fatalities or any other injuries reported. The vehicle was destroyed.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Scion TC. The contact stated that the vehicle was advertised on Facebook Market place with 183,000 miles. The contact stated that while purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that the odometer displayed 118,000. The vehicle was a private sale.
Why did the dealer tell me this recall is not associated with my vin when I keep getting recall UNADDREESSED notices for my vehicle? This is a safety reason and a complete disconnect between dealerships and Toyota manufacture. I need this addressed immediately!
He pulled over to investigate the noise and discovered that his sunroof glass had shattered. Thankfully the inner shade was closed. No sign of impact from any type of object and no known prior damage to the sunroof. Just spontaneously shattered while driving down a straight road.
It's 2020 and I just bought a 2011 scion tc. I took it to an inspection station in the state of maryland so I can have I registered in maryland. My vehicle failed the inspection because it does not have 2 rear reverse lights, it only has one on the driver's side.
So I looked under my car after it had been sitting for around 2 hours, I came back to find that I had leaking oil or something under both front tires, which had me begin to think if there was a leak. A friend then came up to me and told me he had found a recall for something on my car.
While driving the car a very loud whining noise is heard and today the car almost stalled twice and it felt like the gears were getting stuck and the clutch was not releasing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 scion tc. After the driver and a front passenger exited the vehicle and closed both doors, the front passenger side air bag deployed with force. A white substance emitted into the interior and the front of the vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was unoccupied.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,958 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the TC has 58 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 29, below average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Scion TC?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, visibility, service brakes. Total complaints: 29. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (28%), knocking, grinding or other noise (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Scion TC?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Scion TC from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.