VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Toyota Scion tC2005–2016
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Toyota Scion tC
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Toyota Scion tC Years to Avoid
1 recall · 94 complaints
28 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2 recalls · 97 complaints
20 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
0 recalls · 80 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Scion tC became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 25, 2026.
Toyota Scion tC — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 70 | 60 | 67 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 3 | 15 | 2 | — | 61 | 53 | 58 | Good |
| 2014 | 1 | 15 | 9 | — | 55 | 47 | 52 | Good |
| 2013 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | 70 | 42 | 60 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 2 | 7 | — | — | 70 | 38 | 59 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 1 | 19 | 1 | — | 63 | 35 | 53 | Good |
| 2010 | 0 | 13 | 2 | — | 68 | 35 | 56 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 1 | 41 | 1 | — | 48 | 35 | 43 | Good |
| 2008 | 1 | 54 | 4 | 1 | 45 | 35 | 42 | Caution |
| 2007 | 0 | 80 | 8 | 8 | 45 | 35 | 42 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 1 | 94 | 28 | 6 | 45 | 35 | 42 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 2 | 97 | 20 | — | 45 | 35 | 42 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Toyota Scion tC Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Scion tC compares — best year within each era shown.
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2016 (Buyer Score 67).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Scion tC to buy?+
The 2016 Toyota Scion tC scores highest on our Buyer Score (67/100) — combining a reliability score of 70/100 with a value score of 60/100. It has 3 recalls and 1 NHTSA complaint on record.
Which Scion tC years have the most problems?+
The 2006, 2005, 2007 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2006 Scion tC leads with 1 recalls and 94 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Scion tC problems?+
The most frequently reported Toyota Scion tC issues involve: ENGINE, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.