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2007 Scion tC Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Scion tC has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Sunroof glass shattering while driving.” Every Scion is another company's car in a hoodie, and the maintenance follows the donor. Most models (xA, xB, tC, xD, iQ, iM) are pure Toyota: 5,000-mile or 6-month service visits, oil every 10,000 miles on the 0W-20 cars (5,000 on early models), iridium plugs at 120,000, and famously little else. The FR-S is a Subaru boxer underneath and marches to Subaru's beat, with plugs at 60,000 and its own coolant schedule. The iA is a Mazda2 with Skyactiv service intervals. Parts and service remain easy through Toyota dealers, which is most of why used Scions make sense.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Scion tC.

Reported to NHTSA

Sunroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY

24 NHTSA complaints · 2006-09 → 2014-12

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT; AND THEN SUDDENLY THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10402224
“SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. THE SUNROOF WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION WITH WINDOWS UP. SMOOTH, PAVED ROAD WITH NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR BEHIND THAT COULD HAVE KICKED UP ROAD DEBRIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10364888
“WHILE DRIVING HOME ON 1-16-09, MY SUNROOF JUST EXPLODED. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME OR BEHIND ME WHEN I HEARD THE LOUD EXPLOSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10255557

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Trunk and hatch latch handle breakage

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

14 NHTSA complaints · 2010-08 → 2019-02

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA SCION TC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT PULLED ON THE TRUNK HANDLE TO OPEN IT AND THE HANDLE DETACHED. THE WIRES THAT CONNECTED THE HANDLE TO THE VEHICLE WERE NOT IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT THE HANDLE WOULD REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10366864
“MY TRUNK LATCH PANEL BROKE OFF WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. I DISCOVERED THE PANEL WAS BEING HELD ON BY A FLIMSY PLASTIC PIECE THAT APPEARS TO HAVE DRY ROTTED OR SOMETHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10447960
“I OWN A 2007 SCION TC. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN MY TRUNK THE HANDLE AND THE PART AROUND IT COMPLETELY CAME OFF. IS THIS COVERED BY INSURANCE BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT THAT I DID NOT CAUSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10352389

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption from piston rings

ENGINE

35 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2025-03

“THE ENGINE IN THIS CAR WHICH IS THE 2AZ-FE HAS DEFECTIVE PISTON RINGS WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BURN AN INSANELY AMOUNT OF OIL. I LITERALLY HAVE TO ADD AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL A WEEK AND I BEEN DOING SO TWO YEARS ALREADY. I BELIEVE THAT'S NOT NORMAL AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11209384
“MY 2007 TC HAS A VERY LARGE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM TO THE POINT OF BETWEEN OIL CHANGES I AM PUTTING IN ABOUT 1.5 QUARTS TO 2 QUARTS. THE VEHICLE NEVER HAS ANY ONBOARD WARNINGS EITHER I DON'T GET A OIL LIGHT OR LOW OIL LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11101556
“MY 2007 SCION TC, IS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BELIEVED TO BE FROM DEFECTIVE PISTON RINGS DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS WILL INEVITABLY LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE, AND IS ALREADY AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10954035

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and speed control failure

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

11 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2012-01

“MY 2007 SCION TC HAS A BRAKE, ACCELERATION PROBLEM...3 TIMES WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE BRAKES ON, THE CAR HAS SURGED OR LUNGED FORWARD WITH THE ENGINE REVVING LIKE CRAZY. I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE IT , NOW!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10215427
“2007 SCION TC HAS HAD ACCELERATOR ISSUES SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED (NEW IN OCT 2006). OUT OF NO WHERE THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE A FEW FEET AND I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10313629
“LEICESTER, MASS. -- POLICE SAY IT APPEARS THE FOUR TEENAGERS WHO WERE KILLED IN A CAR CRASH IN LEICESTER WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS, AS WAS THE LONE SURVIVOR. LEICESTER POLICE CHIEF JIM HURLEY SAYS NEITHER ALCOHOL NOR DRUGS WAS A FACTOR IN THE CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10322585

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal loss of stopping power

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

7 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2017-02

“MY BRAKES FAIL TO WORK ON BUMPY OR SLIPPERY ROADS. WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THEY START TO SHAKE AND THE CAR DOES NOT STOP. I HAVE NOTICED IF I PRESS THE BRAKE HARDER IN THOSE SITUATIONS I'M ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR ONCE AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10305239
“BRAKES WON'T WORK SOMETIMES. FEELS MUSHY WITH NO PRESSURE AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY ON HARD BRAKING AND HAVE TO APPLY BRAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE ANY PRESSURE IS FELT. FIRST OCCURRED SOME TIME IN THE SUMMER OF 2008”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10304380

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in frontal crashes

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2007-02 → 2019-03

“I WAS RECENTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT A TRUCK WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR GOING AT LEAST 30 MPH AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH I BELIEVE INCREASED MY INJURY.*JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10206690
“I HIT A POLICE CAR THAT WAS PARKED ON THE FAST LANE ON THE INTERSTATE AND NEVER EVEN APPLIED THE BRAKE. I WAS DOING BETWEEN 65 TO 75 MPH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10366772
“VEHICLE STRUCK HIGHWAY 99 CENTER GUARD RAIL (AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE) ON PASSENGER FRONT BUMPER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR (SPIN) THEN REVERSED SPIN SLAMMING REAR BUMPER OF VEHICLE INTO SAME GUARD RAIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10450325

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter Change

Every 10,000 mi

0W-20 models (2011+ tC, iQ, iM): every 10,000 miles or 12 months with 5,000-mile checkup visits between. Earlier models: every 5,000 miles or 6 months. FR-S and iA: every 7,500 miles. Severe use halves all of these.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Every 5,000 miles or 6 months per the Toyota-pattern schedule; 7,500 on FR-S and iA.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Checked at every service visit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Toyota's US guides list inspection only, no replacement interval; the FR-S schedule does replace it, around every 30,000 miles. Every 2 to 3 years is sound practice on any of them since fluid absorbs moisture with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles or 36 months across the lineup.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Iridium plugs at 120,000 miles on the Toyota-engine cars. FR-S: 60,000 miles, the big schedule difference on the Subaru boxer. iA: roughly 75,000 per Mazda practice. Note that 2005-2010 tC engines with oil-consumption habits can foul plugs early.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles or 36 months on the Toyota schedule; sooner in dusty conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

Every 100,000 mi

Toyota Super Long Life: first change at 100,000 miles or 120 months, then every 50,000. FR-S uses Subaru coolant: first at 135,000 or 11 years, then every 75,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota WS fluid has no normal-schedule change; the factory book calls for it at 60,000 and 120,000 only under towing or heavy loads. FR-S automatics: every 60,000 miles or 5 years. A drain and fill around 60,000 is cheap insurance on any of them.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

First inspection at 60,000 miles or 72 months, then every 15,000. All Scion engines are chain-driven; there is no timing-belt service on any model.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

256 crashes 1990–2024

How the 256 occupant deaths break down

178

driver deaths

77

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

256

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

21

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Scion tC reflects Scion's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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