Scion tC by Mr.choppers - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Scion, a spinoff brand of none other than Toyota, was established in 2002 to attract Generation Y consumers. The brand was designed to offer a fresh and distinctive approach to car manufacturing, focusing on customization, affordability, and a unique buying experience.
Scion’s lineup, characterized by its compact, stylish, and versatile vehicles, was designed to meet the diverse needs of youth consumers. Unfortunately, the brand was altogether axed in 2016, primarily due to poor sales performance.
The Scion tC, a standout model from the Scion brand, is a compact car that quickly gained popularity for offering a balance of affordability, sporty aesthetics, and impressive features. Exterior-wise, the Scion tC features aggressive styling, a coupe-like silhouette, and distinctive elements like the bold grille, angular headlights, and sleek lines.
Whether you’re considering a used Scion tC for its sporty charm or value proposition, knowing its reliability across different years is crucial. So, buckle up as we determine the most reliable Scion tC year and which ones to avoid.
2005-2010 Scion tC (1st Generation)
The first-gen Scion tC, introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year, marked a significant milestone in Toyota’s Scion brand. Equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-four engine, the first-gen tC offered a spirited driving experience that appealed to younger drivers.
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Buy: 2005 Scion tC
At CoPilot, we generally advise people to avoid the first production year of any vehicle. Many reliability woes only rear their ugly heads once owners are driving the car in real-world conditions. However, the 2005 Scion tC bucked that trend as it’s a reasonably reliable sports coupe.
As per CarComplaints.com, the 2005 tC had received 206 complaints and four recalls. There were some reports of engine failure – a fair concern for many buyers – but the number of complaints suggests it’s far from a widespread issue. In addition, several owners have also reported the breakage of the sunroof wind deflector. It resulted in a recall where a plastic film needed to be installed to reinforce the deflector.
Despite these issues, 2005 is a good choice for the most reliable Scion tC year, especially if you have a good deal on the car.
Avoid: 2006 Scion tC
The 2006 Scion tC, a popular model of Toyota’s Scion brand, received many complaints and a few recalls. According to CarComplaints, the 2006 tC has collected 225 complaints and five recalls over the years. In addition, the car has been reported to have issues with excessive oil consumption, water pump failure, and faulty window molding.
Owners have reported that the vehicle consumes excessive oil between oil changes. Some owners have reported needing to check their oil daily and add a quart every 1,000 to 1,500 miles. This issue is reportedly due to engine problems, and it has concerned many owners due to the risk of engine damage from low oil levels.
The 2006 Scion tC is an easy skip, even with a reasonable price.
Avoid: 2007 Scion tC
The 2007 Scion tC has the most number of complaints reported by owners, making it the least reliable tC year. According to CarComplaints, the 2007 tC is the worst model year of this vehicle, with 194 complaints and two recalls. The most significant problems reported include excessive oil consumption, power window failure, and rough shifting.
With over 40 written complaints, the 2007 Scion struggled with excessive oil consumption, which has been a major concern. Some owners reported having to add a quart of oil every 1,000 to 1,500 miles. Power window failure is another common complaint, with reports that the windows fail to roll up or down. Lastly, rough shifting has also been reported, particularly in models with automatic transmissions.
If you’re looking for the most reliable Scion tC year, the 2007 version is far from it.
2011-2016 Scion tC (2nd Generation)
The second generation Scion tC marked a significant evolution for the Scion brand. This compact sports coupe retained the affordability and versatility of its predecessor while introducing a host of enhancements that improved its appeal.
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Buy: 2011-2012 Scion tC
The 2011 and 2012 Scion tC models are generally well-received and have solid reliability ratings. According to Consumer Reports, the 2012 Scion tC is described as a feature-packed small coupe. It houses a 2.5-liter engine capable of 180 hp, providing good acceleration and excellent fuel economy when paired with the 6-speed manual transmission. The NHTSA documented 8 complaints and two recalls for this model, and a few owners pointed out the shattering sunroof as the most common reliability issue.
On the other hand, the 2011 model might just be the most reliable Scion tC that offers a strong value proposition. As per CarComplaints, the 2011 tC has only received 46 complaints and one recall, prompting the website to award its coveted “Awesome” seal of approval. Heading over to the NHTSA, the 2011 tC has collected 28 complaints, and the most common issue reported by users is exterior lighting. Apparently, the reverse lamps of the vehicle are prone to failure, which may cause accidents at nighttime.
Regardless of their issues, the 2011 and 2012 tCs are excellent options for used car buyers.
Buy: 2016 Scion tC
The 2016 Scion tC has a good track record in reliability and is especially ideal for young, first-time car owners. Besides the sleek and sporty look, it has a generous list of standard features, including a touchscreen infotainment and a dual-pane sunroof.
U.S. News rated the 2016 tC with an overall score of 7.9 out of 10, praising its spacious rear seats, intuitive touchscreen controls, and excellent reliability ratings. As for the potential drawbacks, the vehicle has a low-rent interior, with surfaces seeming a bit cheap compared to other offerings. Also, road and wind noise are very noticeable at highway speeds.
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CarComplaints confirms the 2016 Scion tC has had a few complaints, including Bluetooth connectivity not working correctly, paint chipping, and a loose, rattling seat back. However, these issues seem less common and are reported at varying mileage. Lastly, Consumer Reports indicates that the 2016 Scion tC has been recalled three times by the NHTSA for service brakes and equipment issues.
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