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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Visibility/wiper complaints

4 reports
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113,000 miles · Sep 12, 2017
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER DISCOVERED THAT THE GLASS AIR DEFECTOR HAD SHATTERED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER DISCOVERED THAT THE GLASS AIR DEFECTOR HAD SHATTERED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V483000 (VISIBILITY) IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #11022862

94,000 miles · Apr 5, 2014
VisibilityVisibility/wiper

WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR THAT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS, I FOUND THAT THE DEFLECTOR WAS RAISED AND THE SUNROOF WAS ENTIRELY SHATTERED. THE "LEGS" OF THE DEFLECTOR APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN THROUGH THE GLASS, AS THE SUNROOF WAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND BROKEN ALONG EACH OF ITS FOUR EDGES. I HAD NOT USED THE SUNRO…

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WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR THAT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS, I FOUND THAT THE DEFLECTOR WAS RAISED AND THE SUNROOF WAS ENTIRELY SHATTERED. THE "LEGS" OF THE DEFLECTOR APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN THROUGH THE GLASS, AS THE SUNROOF WAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND BROKEN ALONG EACH OF ITS FOUR EDGES. I HAD NOT USED THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO PARKING MY CAR THAT MORNING. UPON READING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I DO RECALL ALSO HAVING HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE SUNROOF DID NOT SHATTER UNTIL SOME TIME AFTER WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577719

155,547 miles · Jul 19, 2013
Visibility/wiper

I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK GOING AROUND 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND HEARD LOUD BANG LIKE A GUNSHOT. FIRST I THOUGHT THAT ONE OF MY TIRES HAS HIT ON SOMETHING AND EXPLODED BUT THEN I FELT SOMETHING FALLING FROM THE ROOF AND I MANAGED TO PULL OVER RIGHT AWAY. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I SAW MY MOON ROOF SHATTERED IN PIECES. TH…

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I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK GOING AROUND 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND HEARD LOUD BANG LIKE A GUNSHOT. FIRST I THOUGHT THAT ONE OF MY TIRES HAS HIT ON SOMETHING AND EXPLODED BUT THEN I FELT SOMETHING FALLING FROM THE ROOF AND I MANAGED TO PULL OVER RIGHT AWAY. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I SAW MY MOON ROOF SHATTERED IN PIECES. THERE WASN'T ANY DEBRIEF ON THE ROAD OR ANY SMALL ROCKS THAT COULD'VE HIT THE ROOF AND SHATTERED IT. THE BANG WAS VERY LOUD AND VERY DISTURBING AND I HOPE THIS CAN BE INVESTIGATED AND PREVENTED IN THE FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525861

138,500 miles · Jun 14, 2013
StructureVisibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH (GOING VERY SLOWLY BECAUSE IT WAS A DIRT ROAD), I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. IMMEDIATELY STOPPING TO INSPECT, I DISCOVERED THAT THE MOONROOF HAD SHATTERED COMPLETELY. THE WEBBING OF THE BROKEN GLASS WAS MORE CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE INSIDE THAN THE O…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH (GOING VERY SLOWLY BECAUSE IT WAS A DIRT ROAD), I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. IMMEDIATELY STOPPING TO INSPECT, I DISCOVERED THAT THE MOONROOF HAD SHATTERED COMPLETELY. THE WEBBING OF THE BROKEN GLASS WAS MORE CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE INSIDE THAN THE OUTSIDE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SIGN OF ANY IMPACT. NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND ANYWHERE AND NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE HIT THE GLASS. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME, THE PIECES BEGAN TO FALL INTO THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT AND FINALLY THE WHOLE THING STARTED TO FALL INSIDE. I CALLED A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME A GLASS REPLACEMENT WOULD BE $1158.00. I HAD PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT IN MY DAILY DRIVING, WHENEVER THE CAR STRUCTURE FLEXED IN ANY WAY (AS IN ON UNEVEN TERRAIN AND SOMETIMES EVEN ON HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE DRIVING), I WOULD OCCASIONALLY HEAR POPPING SOUNDS AS IF THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF STRAIN ON THE FRAME. I SUSPECT SOME TYPE OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT, ESPECIALLY SINCE I SEE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM WITH THE MOONROOF OR SUNROOF EXPLODING WITHOUT CAUSE. ON A DIFFERENT NOTE, THE REAR HATCH LIFT KEEPS FALLING OFF. IN CALLING TOYOTA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MOONROOF ISSUE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID ISSUE A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR THE HATCH LIFT. I HAD RECEIVED NO INFORMATION IN THE MAIL ABOUT THE ENHANCEMENT, BUT THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT MUST BE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL REGISTERED UNDER THE PREVIOUS OWNER IN THEIR SYSTEM. DON'T KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENED SINCE WE PURCHASED FROM A DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THE TITLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519838

Official recalls

4

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.

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

3

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.

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.