Buyer Research

2013 Scion tC — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $7,000–$12,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Kestrel Take

A sporty-looking coupe with Toyota Camry mechanicals underneath — which means it's durable and cheap to run, and it's slower than it looks. The 2.5L and conventional automatic are proven. The real risks are boy-racer abuse and modification history.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 9 owner complaints for the 2013 Scion tC, across 1 recall campaign.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 33% of them are about one thing — the brakes. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.

One recall campaign covers this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Not written up yet: the brakes (3 complaints). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.

Looked at and set aside: airbags (2) — 2 airbag complaints on file, almost always a recall matter rather than a repair bill; have a dealer check this VIN for open airbag campaigns and confirm any were performed.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2013 Scion tC

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Modification and abuse historyMedium

These attracted young buyers and heavy modification. Check for tunes, coilovers, and hard use that a Camry drivetrain was never abused with.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (3).

Water pump and oil-consumption checks (2AR-FE)Medium

The 2.5L can consume oil on some examples and the water pump weeps with age.

Repair cost (estimate): $300-$900

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Clutch and shifter wear (manual)Medium

City-driven and enthusiast-driven manuals wear clutches.

Repair cost (estimate): $800-$1,400

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (3).

Panoramic roof leaksLow

The large glass roof drains clog and leak.

Repair cost (estimate): $150-$600

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under glass, wipers and mirrors (2), the body and structure (1).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Aftermarket tune, coilovers, or exhaust with no documentation
✗Oil consumption
✗Salvage title from a wreck
✗Worn clutch on a modified car

Good Signs

✓Stock, adult-owned example
✓Toyota drivetrain with documented maintenance
✓Healthy clutch and dry sunroof

Found a specific Scion tC?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2013 Scion tC in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.