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2011 Scion tC Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2011 Scion tC carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering service brakes, hydraulic. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Sunroof glass spontaneous shattering.” 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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1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Campaign #18E091000 · Sep 20, 2018

Issue: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.

Risk: Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Scion tC.

Reported to NHTSA

Sunroof glass spontaneous shattering

VISIBILITY

7 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2020-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10440036
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,888”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10607669
“**SUNROOF SHATTERED** AROUND 7:00 AM ON A MONDAY (12/28) I GO OUTSIDE TO WARM UP MY CAR AN NOTICE THAT THE SUNROOF IS SHATTERED! IT IS SHATTERED IN A WAY THAT APPEARS IT WAS FROM THE INSIDE GOING OUTWARD. THE OUTSIDE EDGES OF THE GLASS NEAR THE WEATHER STRIPPING IS PULLED AWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10816999

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Single operable reverse light

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2020-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE OPERABLE REVERSE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430082
“I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE NEARLY RAN INTO MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS ONLY ONE REVERSE LAMP AND IT IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. PEOPLE APPROACHING THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE CANNOT SEE THIS LAMP; THEREFORE THEY DON'T KNOW THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430209
“I HAVE A 2011 SCION TC AND SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE NOTICED ONLY ONE REVERSE LIGHT WORKS. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS HOW SCION MANUFACTURED ALL THEIR 2011 SCION TC'S. THE THING THAT REALLY THROWS ME OFF IS THAT IT HAS THE AESTHETIC APPEARANCE OF TWO REVERSE LIGHTS BUT ONLY ONE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10445905

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake line recall and pedal feel

SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2023-01

“I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT 2011 SCION TC ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT AND RUNNING SMOOTH, THEN I HAD TO START PUSHING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AS IF IT WASNT WORKING. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND AS DOING SO I HIT THE BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11322269
“TAKATA RECALL WHEN BRAKING IN LOW SPEED YOU HEAR A LOUD SOUND OF THE BREAK PADS AND THE ROTORS HITTING EACH OTHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11170235
“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!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11502920

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission and clutch malfunction

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2018-10

“MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION. INCLUDING SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN REVERSE, ROLLING BACKWARDS AT STOP LIGHTS/SIGNS, BUCKING/SURGING AT LOW SPEED, GEAR SLIPPAGE, EXCESSIVE & UNPREDICTABLE ENGINE BRAKING, HESITATION TO SHIFT, HESITATION & ROUGH SHIFTING UPON RE-ACCELERATION, &”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10465163
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANT ALONG WITH MY ABS LIGHT. MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HASN'T BEEN DOING RIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE DOING. ITS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR MY ENGINE IS MISSING. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10496806
“WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED A VERY LOUD NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED THE NOISE GOES AWAY. CAR HAS 90K THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THROW OFF CLUTCH BEARING, BUT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS INSIDE THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11143012

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag deployment malfunction

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2017-10

“I WAS DRIVING WEST ON HIGHWAY 160 TOWARD MY HOME, WHEN A BUCK (DEER), RAN OUT INTO THE ROAD. I SWERVED TO MISS IT AND THEN HIT A TREE HEAD ON. I HIT THE BRAKES AT AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR COLLIDED INTO THE TREE HEAD ON. THE FORCE FROM THE CRASH MADE ME HIT MY HEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10425093
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11034397

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)

33 crashes 1990–2024

How the 33 occupant deaths break down

26

driver deaths

7

passenger deaths

33

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2012 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.

1

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2011 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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