2007 Scion TC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
117 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
63,915 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 91 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 117 complaints (27.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 13.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.4% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 32 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 10 |
| Visibility | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
Engine: 32; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Structure:Body: 10; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 10; Visibility: 7; Air Bags: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 6; Seat Belts: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 10; 2008: 6; 2009: 7; 2010: 26; 2011: 6; 2012: 9; 2013: 6; 2014: 8; 2015: 6; 2016: 11; 2017: 9; 2018: 5; 2019: 4; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10198481 · 2007-08-04 (August 4, 2007)
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AROUND THE CLOCK BURNED OUT FOR NO REASON. THE CAR IS NOT PUT TOGETHER WELL EVERYTHING SOUNDS AS IF THE FRAME WILL SEPARATE FROM THE CAR. THE CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM, IF IS REALLY LOUD AN SHAKES THE CAR REALLY BAD. THE ABS IN THE CAR RESPONDS PREMATURELY WHICH IT IS REALLY LOUD. THE SEAT BELTS IN THE CAR DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT HOOK IN THE CAR AND IT PREMATURE TIGHTS WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT SO YOU HAVE TO UNBUCKLE AN RE-BUCKLE OFTEN IN THE CAR. THE ENGINE FAN TIMING IS OFF …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10198481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215427 · 2008-01-19 (January 19, 2008)
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! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10215427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202354 · 2007-09-10 (September 10, 2007)
DRIVING STRAIGHT AT APPROX 40 MPH STEERING WHEEL PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT. UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK AND LOST CONTROL OF CAR TOTALED. CRASHED INTO A TREE. *JB SAW NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT ANOTHER ACCIDENT WITH SAME DESCRIPTION AND FATALITY IN MIAMI HERALD ON 9/9/07. THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MECHANICAL FAILURE - THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT COINCIDENCE BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED OR KILLED. UPDATED 12/12/07
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206986 · 2007-10-26 (October 26, 2007)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE, MY SCION TC 2007 VIOLENTLY SWERVED LEFT HITTING THE CENTER DIVIDER. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO BANK OFF THE CENTER DIVIDER AND PROCEED WITH A 180% TURN ACROSS THE TURNPIKE ENDING IN THE SLOW LANE FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FROM THERE A MOTORCYCLE HIT AND TOTALED THE SCION VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD WHICH ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE STEERING WHEEL HAD POPPED OFF, CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR REMAINS WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY AWAITING A MORE DETAILED INSPECTION. *…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10206986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10332491 · 2010-05-27 (May 27, 2010)
PURCHASE PRE-CERTIFIED/PRE-OWNED SCION TOYOTA, 2007, WITH 40,000 MILES ON MAY 12, 2010 AND ON MAY 25, 2010 OIL LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK, LOST POWER AND CONTROL OF CAR ON BUSY RAINY ROAD AND CAR STALLED, PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK. BURNING SMELL AND BRAKES & STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. UPDATED 06/03/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP WITH SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE. UPDATED IVOQ 06/07/10*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10722510 · 2015-05-31 (May 31, 2015)
MY SCION TC BURNS EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL. TOYOTA RECOMMEND OIL CHANGE EVERY 5K MILES AND AT ABOUT 3-4K MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, THE OIL IS BURNT SO MUCH TO THE POINT THAT WHEN I CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL IT'S WELL BELOW THE LENGTH OF THE DIPSTICK AND RED OIL LOW WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, IF A CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO OIL, LIVES CAN BE LOST DUE TO THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THERE IS ALREADY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE AGAINST TOYOTA ON THIS. INSTEAD OF A MANDATORY RECALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10722510 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253928 · 2009-01-06 (January 6, 2009)
ON DECEMBER 15, 2008 I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE OF A SHOP IN MD AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF RETURNING, I SAW WHITE, ELECTRICAL SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DURING THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS OFF. AS I WALKED TO MY VEHICLE SEVERAL WITNESSES AND THE MALL SECURITY HAD ARRIVED AND WERE READY WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. I OPENED MY HOOD AND SUDDENLY THE ENTIRE ENGINE BURNED IN FLAMES AND ALMOST BURNED SEVERAL PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF. THIS INCIDENT DID NOT BURN THE VEHICLE BUT ONLY THE ENGINE AND IT WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA/SCION WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 44,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253928 at NHTSA ↗