Scion tC — the 6 years we've written up
2011–2016, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 4 of the 6 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 6 Scion tC model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Scion built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Scion tC by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Optional TRD brake kit hoses can fatigue and fail (recall 18E091000) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Roof glass shattering while parked, and a sunroof that jammed open at 60 mph — $700–$2,000 for the glass panel; more where the roof assembly or the sunroof motor goes with it
TRD accessory brake hoses can fatigue and burst (recall 18E091000) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Modification and abuse history — Not yet priced
Fixed roof glass exploding with no impact, parked or at highway speed — $700–$2,000 for the glass panel; more where the entire roof assembly is replaced
Panoramic roof glass shattering on its own, at speed and while parked — $700–$2,000 for the glass panel alone; more where the whole roof module is replaced
2 of these 6 have no high-severity issue in our write-up. That means we didn't find an expensive recurring fault — not that one cannot exist on the specific vehicle you're looking at.
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Scion tC in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not 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 that year.
Known issues 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.
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