2010 Scion TC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
32,743 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 20 complaints (35.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
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 | 7 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Engine: 7; Tires: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Seats: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
2010: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 10306002 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)
HAPPENED LAST WEEKEND, WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN MY NEW 2010 SCION TC. CAR IS JUST BARELY 2 MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. MIDDLE PART OF A NICE, MILD DAY, DRY ROAD, BUT SOME BROKEN PAVEMENT/ROUGHNESS AT THE CORNER THERE. SOMEONE COMING FROM MY 3 O'CLOCK POSITION WAS PLANNING TO MAKE A U-TURN IN THE INTERSECTION SO I ATTEMPTED TO STOP FOR THEM BEFORE COMPLETING MY RIGHT TURN. APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL RESISTANCE AND DECELERATION RATE INITIALLY SEEMED NORMAL, BUT THEN WHEN IT GOT A LITTLE BUMPY THE BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT WENT TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10306002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10347456 · 2010-08-05 (August 5, 2010)
TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED ON CURVED ROAD IN RAIN. APPLIED BRAKES COMING INTO THE TURN, BUT TIRES LOST TRACTION AND VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND SLID ONTO A DIRT EMBANKMENT WITH SHRUBS AND SMALL TREES. NEITHER THE FRONT OR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND I HIT MY HEAD AGAINST THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE TIRES THAT ARE PROVIDED ARE SUITABLE FOR WET PAVEMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347456 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10955689 · 2017-02-20 (February 20, 2017)
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LEADING TO MOTOR LOSS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES EVERY 3-5,000 MILES. IT SEEMS IT SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL BY TOYOTA IF THIS MANY VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BEGAN AROUND 90K MILES. AT 148K, VEHICLE WAS REQUIRING MORE OIL THAN I WAS ABLE TO PUT IN. ENGINE BEGAN "KNOCKING", AND EVEN AFTER TOPPING OFF OIL, WITHIN 48 HOURS EXPERIENCED COMPLETE MOTOR LOSS. KNOCKING SEEMED TO BE WORSE WHEN IDLE. LUCKILY, I WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 148,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10955689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10330578 · 2010-05-15 (May 15, 2010)
AT 70 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF I-40, THE SCION TC 2010 UNEXPECTEDLY VEERED LEFT. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STEER RIGHT AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED GOING LEFT FROM THE RIGHT LANE TO THE LEFT. THE STEERING WAS NOT RESPONSIVE, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE GOING INTO THE MEDIAN SAFETY WIRES. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330578 at NHTSA ↗