2011 Scion TC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
29,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 29 complaints (20.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 20.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Exterior Lighting: 6; Service Brakes: 4; Power Train: 3; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2011: 6; 2012: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10401100 · 2011-05-16 (May 16, 2011)
LEFT FRONT FENDER LINER CAME OFF (RIPPED OFF) WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10401100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425093 · 2011-09-12 (September 12, 2011)
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 AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL TWO TIMES. MY HEAD, NECK, AND BACK HURT INSTANTLY. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL. I HAVE WITNESSES WHO STOPPED AND CALLED 911. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMS, AND POLICE GOT TO THE WRECK THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT D…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,112 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10430082 · 2011-10-13 (October 13, 2011)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10430082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10430209 · 2011-10-14 (October 14, 2011)
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 VEHICLE IS REVERSING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT MANY TIMES DUE TO OTHER VEHICLES NOT BEING AWARE OF MY REVERSING. THIS IS ALSO TRUE OF PEDESTRIANS WALKING BEHIND/NEAR THE MY VEHICLE AS THEY CANNOT SEE THE REVERSE LIGHT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS NOT TOLD THIS VEHICLE HAD ONLY…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10433024 · 2011-10-27 (October 27, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SCION TC EQUIPPED WITH TOYO PROXES ST II TIRES, SIZE P225/45/18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING LANES AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE DROVE OVER A REFLECTOR IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AS A REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10440036 · 2011-12-15 (December 15, 2011)
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 WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10440036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10445905 · 2012-01-30 (January 30, 2012)
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 WORKS. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY CLOSE CALLS I'VE HAD BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A PASSING CAR BECAUSE THEY AREN'T ABLE TO SEE MY REVERSE LIGHT. NOT TO MENTION, PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE G…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10445905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10451234 · 2012-03-12 (March 12, 2012)
THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 7:00AM ON 2/6/12 ON THE 215 S. GOING AROUND 75MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FLOORED ALL THE WAY DOWN AS IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR FOOT ON IT. I PANICKED AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO BUT PRESS THE BRAKES. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED ME AROUND. I NOTICED CARS IN FRONT OF ME STARTING TO SLOW DOWN AS I WAS ENTERING TRAFFIC. BY THAT TIME MY CAR WAS GOING 100MPH ON ITS OWN BECAUSE I HAD REMOVED MY FEET FROM THE PETALS. I LAST MINUTE REACTED AND PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE PETAL AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451234 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.