AI Damage2012 Scion TC: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Scion TC filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 63% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 13% of all complaints
- Visibility: 5 complaints (63% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (13% 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 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 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.
Upon impact the air bags failed to deploy. The driver received injuries to his head, neck and back. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was pending an investigation. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 841.
I was driving on 60 freeway when my sunroof window exploded/shattered. I'm doing some research and its happening on this make and model frequently. I went to toyota and talked to them regarding if there is recall about it because looks like its a manufacturer defect. I ended up paying for it via my insurance.
While the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the sun roof exploded without warning or impact. Priority toyota chesapeake ([address], chesapeake, [ZIP], [phone]) was contacted and advised the contact to call the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted.
My sunroof was close, air conditioner was on and windows up because it was raining. While driving heard a loud noise thought it was someone that had an impact by other car. When I looked up my sunroof was all of the something gone.
To date, I have had my vehicle repaired three times for the same malfunction. I worked with manufacturing and sales organizations and I have failed to receive substantiation beyond your organization's due diligence that my vehicle is safe for my family.
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 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the TC has 58 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Scion TC?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (63%), A/C or heater (38%), airbags did not deploy (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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.