NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Scion TC Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Scion TC has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 155 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Scion dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Scion TC. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2005 Scion TC owner complaints

Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Scion TC, describing incidents dated May 1, 2004 to September 7, 2025.

Most-cited components

Visibility/Wiper 50 complaints
Structure 31 complaints
Air Bags 20 complaints
Engine 14 complaints
Tires 11 complaints
Unknown or Other 11 complaints

Of the 155 complaints on file, 25 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 155 complaints, owners report 35 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11686401 · Filed September 10, 2025
Never had a problem with car before went on freeway to get up to speed n the speedometer was dropping so I pull to side of freeway shut car off turn car back on here clunk clunk shut car off no check engine light was on or has been on no oil light was on nothing get car towed back to safe place well…
ODI #11525542 · Filed June 6, 2023
Engine burning oil
ODI #11440425 · Filed November 15, 2021
1. I believe my airbags deployed pre-maturely with a soft impact to another vehicle. There was no damage to the other vehicle and no police report needed to be filed. There is a minor damage to my front bumper. 2. The airbags inflated on me, but no medical attention was required. 3. I have not…

Read all 155 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Scion TC mileage at failure

111 of the 155 complaints on file for the 2005 Scion TC give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Visibility/Wiper	Median 35,000 miles	Middle half 9,000–75,000 miles	Based on 37 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Scion TC in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE06-024: GLASS MOONROOF SHATTERS
Closed December 6, 2006
Engineering Analysis EA05-013: SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGE
Closed October 26, 2005
- Recall 05V-483
Preliminary Evaluation PE05-021: SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGE
Closed August 26, 2005

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS

NHTSA #10V035000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2010 · GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.

Potentially affected: 271,417 vehicles

Owners notified May 27, 2010

Defect description

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SIDE AND CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG SYSTEM

NHTSA #06V408000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported October 26, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 29,542 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 60H · Owners notified November 6, 2006 · Vehicles built March 12, 2004 – March 3, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS MAY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR IF THE DOOR FOR THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CLOSED WITH A HIGH RATE OF FORCE WHILE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION IS IN THE "ON" POSITION OR WITHIN 90 SECONDS OF TURNING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE "ON" POSITION TO THE "OFF" POSITION.

Safety consequence

IF THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY, THEY COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE DOOR THAT IS CLOSED WITH A HIGH RATE OF FORCE. UNTIL THE REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A MINIMAL FORCE/SPEED BE USED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS OR CLOSING THE DOORS AFTER 90 SECONDS HAVE ELAPSED FROM TURNING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE "ON" TO THE "OFF" POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SENSORS AND INSTALL A URETHANE PAD IN THE FRONT DOORS, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-866-548-1851.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 60H.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

AIR BAG INFLATOR

NHTSA #06V096000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 133 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 60B 6LB · Owners notified April 6, 2006 · Vehicles built June 10, 2004 – November 28, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 60B AND LEXUS RECALL NO. 6LB.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GLASS WIND DEFLECTOR

NHTSA #05V483000 · Visibility — Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported October 18, 2005 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 71,392 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 50S · Owners notified October 27, 2006 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A GLASS WIND DEFLECTOR, THE DEFLECTOR, IF IMPACTED BY A PROJECTILE, SUCH AS ROAD DEBRIS, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WIND DEFLECTOR IN THE UPWARD-TILTED POSITION AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, MAY SHATTER AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.

Safety consequence

PIECES OF THE WIND DEFLECTOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME AND FALL UPON THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE LAMINATE TO THE WIND DEFLECTOR TO PREVENT PIECES OF GLASS FROM SEPARATING FROM THE WIND DEFLECTOR FRAME. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-866-707-2466.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 50S.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 Scion TC. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

155 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Scion TC.

Engine

ODI #11686401

Incident: September 7, 2025 · Filed: September 10, 2025

Never had a problem with car before went on freeway to get up to speed n the speedometer was dropping so I pull to side of freeway shut car off turn car back on here clunk clunk shut car off no check engine light was on or has been on no oil light was on nothing get car towed back to safe place well check fluid n oils bone dry cars engine blows just started reading n I guess 2005 goes. Threw oil way fast why isn't that noteted anywhere so messed up just did oil change week before this so shocked now I have to try to fix my blown engine single mom not able to make ends meet now this idk what to do

Engine

ODI #11525542

Incident: June 12, 2019 · Filed: June 6, 2023

Engine burning oil

Air Bags

ODI #11440425

Crash

Incident: November 6, 2021 · Filed: November 15, 2021

1. I believe my airbags deployed pre-maturely with a soft impact to another vehicle. There was no damage to the other vehicle and no police report needed to be filed. There is a minor damage to my front bumper. 2. The airbags inflated on me, but no medical attention was required. 3. I have not confirmed or reproduced this problem with a professional. 4. My car has not been inspected nor reported to my insurance agency as my coverage only covers liability. 5. No symptoms prior to airbags deploying pre-maturely *Because of the pre-mature deployment of my airbags I am unable to afford the airbags to be reset, as doing so would cost more than the kbb estimated value of my car.

Air Bags

ODI #11288843

Crash

Incident: October 3, 2019 · Filed: December 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HER VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED IN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REMINDED BY THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE SIDE AIR BAGS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR IN 2006. THE MANUFACTURER RESPONDED WITH A LETTER, STATING THAT THEY ASSIGNED AN ENGINEER TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. BASED ON THEIR INSPECTION, THEY DID NOT FIND ENOUGH FRONTAL DAMAGE TO COMMAND THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,400. *BF*JB

Unknown or Other

ODI #11253318

Incident: September 4, 2019 · Filed: September 4, 2019

GLASS ROOF SHATTERED UNPROVOKED

Air Bags

ODI #11234756

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: May 18, 2018 · Filed: July 25, 2019

TAKATA RECALL?? AIRBAGS FAILED, DURING ACCIDENT. AFTER BEING CUTOFF AND GOING DOWN ROUTE X. LOST CONTROL HIDING CONCRETE. CAR FLIPPED, WAS DRAGGED A FEW FEET'S - NO AIRBAGS. PASSENGER STILL HAS ANXIETY WHEN GETTING INTO VEHICLES-THE ONE THING YOU'D THINK WOULD RESPOND DIDN'T. HOW DO WE EVER GET THE SENSE OF SECURITY BACK. *DT *TR

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11231764

Incident: July 11, 2019 · Filed: July 14, 2019

I PURCHASED A RED 2005 SCION TC FOR MY DAUGHTER IN FEBRUARY, 2019 FROM TOYOTA AUTO NATION IN DAVIE, FL. THEY HAD IT PRICED IN GOOD CONDITION, SO I EXPECTED TO GET SOME USE OUT OF IT. I PAID ALMOST $6,000. MONTH LATER IT OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY (595) AND MY DAUGHTER HAD TO PULL OVER LATE AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOME. VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE SITUATION FOR A TEEN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THEIR SERVICE STATION AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM, THAT COST ME $600. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COMPANY WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN ANY DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. SHAME ON THEM FOR SELLING ME A CAR THAT BROKE DOWN IN ONE MONTH. I HAVE CALLED THEM AND THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE PAYMENT. IT IS 'AS IS' I CALLED AND TEXT THE SALES GIRL AND NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK OR RESPONSE. FINALLY PUT A BAD REVIEW ON THEIR WEBSITE AND RECEIVED AN E-MAIL TO CONTACT MANAGER TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WAS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL AND AGAIN TOLD 'TOO BAD'. IT IS NOW JULY AND YET AGAIN IT BROKE DOWN ON MY DAUGHTER AS SHE WAS AT THE GAS STATION. IT WOULD NOT START UP AFTER SHE TURNED IT OFF. TRIED TO JUMP IT AND NOTHING. ONCE AGAIN HEADED TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE STATION. AT FIRST WAS TOLD IT WAS ONLY THE BATTERY, SO I SAY GO AHEAD, I WILL PAY THE $140 AND REPLACE IT AND WE WILL GO FROM THERE. ONLY TO GET ANOTHER CALLBACK FROM THE MANAGER STATING THAT THERE IS MORE WRONG WITH THE CAR, THAT AFTER THE $89 FIVE POINT CHECK ON THE VEHICLE AND REPLACING THE BATTERY THAT IT STILL DID NOT START. THEY WOULD HAVE TO KEEP IT OVER THE WEEKEND. IT IS COSTING ME AN ARM AND A LEG AND I NEED HELP WITH THIS. I FEEL LIKE THEY LIED ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND ALLOWED A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE TO BE BOUGHT AT THEIR BUSINESS. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY CHILD'S SAFETY AND ONLY WANT WHAT IS FAIR.

Power Train

ODI #11210608

Incident: May 24, 2019 · Filed: May 29, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STICKING. THE DRIVER HAD TO PULL THE CLUTCH PEDAL UP WITH HER LEFT FOOT. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO HIS RESIDENCE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,367.

Engine

ODI #11155165

Incident: November 2, 2018 · Filed: November 30, 2018

THE CAR BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND ONLY HAS 163000 MILES.

Electrical System

ODI #11154366

Fire

Incident: November 24, 2018 · Filed: November 27, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SCION TC. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED A FLICKERING LIGHT AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE CONSOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSOLE AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WERE MELTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

Other Scion TC model years

Check your 2005 Scion TC VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Scion TC at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Scion VIN