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2014 Scion tC Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2014 Scion tC carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering service brakes, hydraulic. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Spontaneous sunroof or moonroof glass 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 2014 Scion tC.

Reported to NHTSA

Spontaneous sunroof or moonroof glass shattering

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2019-05

“I HAD AN INCIDENT OF SPONTANEOUS GLASS BREAKAGE OF THE MOONROOF ON MY 2014 SCION TC. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I WAS IN A PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE IGNITION OFF. I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND SIMILAR TO THE SOUND OF A GUN SHOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11208450
“I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY, I HAD MY FRONT SUNROOF OPEN. WHICH I MOST DO, BUT ALL OF SUDDEN MY REAR SUNROOF SHATTER. GLASS WENT EVERY IN THE FRONT SEATS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11123809
“WE WERE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT A HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND IT TURNED OUT THE BE THE GLASS ROOF ON THE CAR. THEY ARE FAULTY. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10714206

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

AC condensation water leak into cabin

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2022-07

“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE HOUSING AROUND THE AIR CONDITIONER FILLS WITH WATER FROM CONDENSATION, THE DRAINAGE TUBE IS NARROW AND CLOGS, WHICH CAUSES THE WATER TO DRIP OUT OF THE HOUSING AND INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR WHERE IT SWAMPS THE CARPETING FROM FRONT TO BACK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11473661
“WATER DRIPS INTO PASSENGER FLOOR SPACE. BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR THREE TIMES SINCE 9-07-2014 AND OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 8-34-2014. SCION/TOYATA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND STATED THAT IT IS BECAUSE OF SPIDERS BUILDING A NEST IN THE CONDENSER HOSE OF THE A/C UNIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10787250

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door lock actuator and wiring harness electrical failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2018-08

“AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, FIRST, THE PASSENGER DOOR BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY RESPOND TO LOCKING/UNLOCKING COMMANDS. NEITHER THE KEY FOB NOR THE SWITCH IN THE VEHICLE WOULD WORK, AND EVENTUALLY THE DOOR LOCK HAD TO BE MANUALLY OPERATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11120963
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "MAINTENANCE REQUIRED" AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA MOMENTUM IN FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT RODENTS HAD DESTROYED THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11052566

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Premature tire wear and sidewall blowout

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2017-02

“HAVE YOU HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ON THE N5000 PLUS TIRES? WE BOUGHT A SET FOR MY 2014 SCION TC EARLY LAST YEAR AND AT ABOUT 18,000 MILES ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW THE SIDEWALL OUT. AROUND FEB 10, 2017, THE OTHER TIRE DID THE SAME THING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10956232
“MY 2014 SCION TC HAS A LITTLE OVER 19,000 MILES AND I NEED TIRES ALREADY. AT 15,000 THEY WERE ALREADY WEARING DOWN. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A SET OF TIRES. I HOPE THEY MAKE THE MANUFACTURE PULL THEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10824791

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake failure linked to NHTSA recall 18E091

SERVICE BRAKES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2021-04

“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18E091000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT FAILED TO RESPOND, WHICH RESULTED IN HIM REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11413369
“MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERJ0U NHTSA RECALL NUMBER18E091 I'VE BEEN WARNED ABOUT THIS RECALL FOR MY VEHICLES BRAKES, AND I NOTICED A LITTLE BEFORE I RECEIVED THIS WARNING THAT MY BRAKES ARE MAKING A STRANGE NOISE WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE BRAKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11220502
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11131006

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel and suspension failure with loss of control

STEERING, WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2025-09

“Vehicle is not available for inspection upon request due to the vehicle being in an accident. As a result from the accident, the vehicle was a complete loss and beyond the point of repair”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11690231
“I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 522 GOING 60MPH AT 11:30PM. THE HIGHWAY WAS SMOOTH AND HAD NO BUMPS THEN RANDOMLY THE WHEEL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF THE CAR AND WENT FLYING. POLICE OFFICERS AND STATE TROOPERS LOOKED FOR THE WHEEL AND THEY COULDN'T FIND IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11316636
“WAS COMMUTING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH BREAK WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE I LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING OF MY VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A STONE WALL BEFORE I COULD PULL MY EMERGENCY BREAK AFTER THE VEHICLE COULD NOT SLOW DOWN ON A CITY STREET IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162878

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)

15 crashes 1990–2024

How the 15 occupant deaths break down

8

driver deaths

7

passenger deaths

15

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2015 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.

6

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 2014 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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