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2015 Scion Tc Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Scion Tc carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering service brakes, hydraulic and labels. Owners report 3 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission harsh downshift and rough shift quality.” 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.

3 Open Recalls

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.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #16V420000 · Sep 6, 2016

Issue: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

SUSPENSION:REAR

Campaign #15V228000 · Apr 17, 2015

Issue: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Scion tC vehicles manufactured December 3, 2014, to January 30, 2015 and equipped with accessory coil springs as part of an optional Release Series 9 trim package. During installation of these coil springs, the rear suspension components may not have been properly tightened.

Risk: If the rear suspension components were not properly tightened, the rear suspension arms may detach, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bolts, nuts, rear suspension arms, and rear suspension member sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Scion customer service at 1-866-707-2466.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Scion Tc.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission harsh downshift and rough shift quality

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2023-05

“Whining noise is heard when the clutch petal is released. Noise is coming from the input shaft bearing. Common failure on this model. Mechanic confirmed that is the issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11524604
“TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP, 50/50, IT SEEMS TO BE DOING A HARD DOWNSHIFT 2-1 BEFORE THE STOP. IT'S SCARY AND FEELS LIKE YOU GOT REAR ENDED. THERE IS ALSO A CLICK NOISE WHEN THE DOWNSHIFT HAPPENS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11399229
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THERE WAS A DELAY IN VEHICLE RESPONSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11330547

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass spontaneous shattering

VISIBILITY

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2021-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND SEATED IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND LIKE A SHATTERED GLASS. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE CENTER SUN ROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11408420
“I WAS DRIVING 73 MPH ON A HIGHWAY (I-25) PASSING ANOTHER CAR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN THE CRACKLING SOUND OF GLASS RUNNING DOWN THE BACK OF THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE MOON ROOF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10936210
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244890

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2015 Scion TC. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained continuously illuminated while operating the vehicle. The contact stated that when the air bag warning light was illuminated, the horn was inoperable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11746288
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON MONDAY DEC 28 HEADING TO WORK IT WAS RAINING HARD AND WAS DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED AS EVERYONE ELSE IN THE FREEWAY OUT OF NOWHERE MY STEERING TOOK OVER CONTROL AND I SPINNED AROUND HITTING THE CARPOOL LANE DIVIDER AND WAS TOSSED TO THE 4TH LANE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11386439
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10899537

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 17, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 17, 2026.

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

13 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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 2015 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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