IllustrationBOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED AND NEED REPLACED. DEALERSHIP ( FORT BEND TOYOTA ) STATED THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL AND PREMATURE. DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR THAT MODEL/ YEAR / AND MILEAGE. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tc years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
420–25K
1925–50K
1350–75K
1675–100K
15100–150K
8150K+
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
5 reportsTHE THROTTLE BODY STUCK OPEN CAUSING IT TO REV TO EXCESSIVE RPMS AND THEN WOULD FINALLY DIE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN 7/08. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND THEN ONCE AGAIN IT FAILED, THIS TIME STICKING CLOSED CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE IN AN INTERSECTION. THIS WAS IN 3/11 (THIS YEAR) WITH ONLY 73K ON IT …
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THE THROTTLE BODY STUCK OPEN CAUSING IT TO REV TO EXCESSIVE RPMS AND THEN WOULD FINALLY DIE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN 7/08. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND THEN ONCE AGAIN IT FAILED, THIS TIME STICKING CLOSED CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE IN AN INTERSECTION. THIS WAS IN 3/11 (THIS YEAR) WITH ONLY 73K ON IT TOTAL MILES ( ONLY 30K ON THIS THROTTLE BODY). WHEN WE RECEIVED THE NEW PART THIS TIME, IT HAD BEEN OBVIOUSLY REDESIGNED WITH A VENT ALLOWING CORROSION NOT TO OCCUR. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD WHEN YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ENGINE SPEED WHILE DRIVING. WITH THE REDESIGNED PART ( A TOYOTA/SCION PART) IT IS OBVIOUS THIS WAS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM, YET NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED OR RECEIVED. *TR
MY 2005 SCION TC SURGES/LURCHES FORWARD WHEN RESUMING FROM A STOP. THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE YOU APPLY TO THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT ON HOW THE CAR IS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD. THE PROBLEM WAS VERY INTERMITTENT AND HARD TO NOTICE BUT STARTED HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN AS OF AUG./SEPT. 2008. IN MID SEPT. I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR…
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MY 2005 SCION TC SURGES/LURCHES FORWARD WHEN RESUMING FROM A STOP. THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE YOU APPLY TO THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT ON HOW THE CAR IS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD. THE PROBLEM WAS VERY INTERMITTENT AND HARD TO NOTICE BUT STARTED HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN AS OF AUG./SEPT. 2008. IN MID SEPT. I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SELLING DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MGR. WENT ON A TEST DRIVE AND SAID HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN A FEW MILE DRIVE. WHEN I PICKED MY CAR UP 2 DAYS LATER THE SERVICE INVOICE STATED "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED I HAVE A 30,000 MILE MAINT. DONE I HAD JUST HAD THOSE SERVICES DONE 1 MONTH EARLIER AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THAT. IT WAS THEN RECOMMENDED THAT I SWITCH GAS STATIONS AND USE HIGH OCTANE FUEL AND USE A FUEL INJECTION CLEANER PURCHASED FROM ANY GAS STATION, THEN IF NO IMPROVEMENT FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS WOULD BE NEEDED BUT NO CODES IN THE ECU. I FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OVER 2 MONTHS AND NO CHANGE. WENT BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE AND EVEN WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THE REGIONAL SERVICE MGR SENT TO "INSPECT" MY CAR DID NOT INSPECT IT AND REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR AND SUBMIT THE CLAIM UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I ALSO AT THIS TIME REMINDED THEM THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. AND WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK AND THE CAR IS IDLING THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWS A SPEED OF 5-10 MILES PER HOUR, YET WHILE DRIVING SHOWS A SPEED OF 0. I ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE PILLAR AIRBAG COVER THEY FIXED WEEKS AGO IS HANGING LOOSE. IT COMES OFF EVERY TIME YOU SHUT THE DOOR. THIS HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. MY CAR HAS OR IS HAVING ABOUT 95% OF THE ITEMS DISPLAYED IN YOUR SERVICE BULLETINS, SEATBELTS,AIRBAGS,FUEL INJECTORS,WINDOW CONTROLS,SUN ROOF,AIR CONDITION AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM. AND THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF ALL OF THEM. *TR
THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TOYOTA SCION TC HAS A VIOLENT COLD START JERKING AND BUCKING AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN IT IS STARTED UNTIL THE ENGINE IS WARM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO REPLACE SENSORS AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING. TOYOTA CLAIMS IT IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AS THERE ARE NO COMPUTER "FAULT CODES" DISPLAYED. OTHERS HA…
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THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TOYOTA SCION TC HAS A VIOLENT COLD START JERKING AND BUCKING AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN IT IS STARTED UNTIL THE ENGINE IS WARM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO REPLACE SENSORS AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING. TOYOTA CLAIMS IT IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AS THERE ARE NO COMPUTER "FAULT CODES" DISPLAYED. OTHERS HAVE DRIVEN IT AND CLAIMED THAT IT IS NOT NORMAL, BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT - "IT IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED." MANY DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT, ALTHOUGH THEY AGREE THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE IS NOT AS POPULAR AS THE AUTOMATIC AND FEW PEOPLE PURSUE THE PROBLEM. AUTOWEEK MAGAZINE WROTE ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 ISSUE AND THE OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM SCION WAS THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BUCK AND JERK FOR THEM AS WELL. *JB
THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AND A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE HAD COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC MAINTAINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD KNOCK AND SHAKE AFTER BEING STARTED. WHEN DRIV…
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THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AND A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE HAD COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC MAINTAINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD KNOCK AND SHAKE AFTER BEING STARTED. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD RATTLE AND FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED DUE TO THE SHAKING OF THE MOTOR. THE MECHANIC FOUND VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR HOSE MOUNTS, AIR CLEANING HOUSINGS AND LATER THE MOTOR AND ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO WEAKNESS. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE MOUNT WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED. *SC
Official recalls
410V035000 · 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
3PE06024 · 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.