Scion · tC · 2013
1
Recall
9
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2013 Scion tC has 1 recall and 9 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (3 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.
Remedy Status
Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.
UNKNOWN. I was unaware of my car's recall notice. I had known only when my car's regular smog check was due. The problem that my car may have had not been confirmed by dealer or independent service center nor has it been inspected by manufacturer, police, or others. There are also no warning lamps or messages of the problem. However, there are symptoms like pushing the brakes when driving my car and it squeaks. I had installed new brake pads over 2 years ago. I don't know why it continues to squeak when I am pushing the brakes.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE JUST CUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT COULD ONLY SHIFT INTO THE FIRST GEAR AND SLOWLY PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION WITH THE VEHICLE MOVING ONLY ABOUT 10 MPH WITH THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO A NEARBY RELATIVE'S HOUSE AT ABOUT 15 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD SPOKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE ISSUE WAS MOST LIKELY WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
DID NOT GET NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE.
I WAS TURNING INTO A BUSY SHOPPING CENTER AT 5ISH PM AND THE SUN WAS DIRECTLY IN MY EYES AND I SWERVED TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXITING /ENTRANCE LANE AND I RAN HEAD ON INTO A SOLID CEMENT PILLAR LIGHT POLE , ESTIMATED MPH WAS 20 -25 MPH , I WAS WEARING SEATBELT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I HAVE BROKE RIBS AND POSSIBLE FRACTURED STERNUM, I HIT MY HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND HAD A KNOT THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL , I'M SEEING A DOCTOR TOMORROW TO DETERMINE EXACT EXTENT OF INJURIES BUT PHOTOS OF MY CAR WILL SHOW THE FORCE OF IMPACT AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED , THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKE BY A AUTHORIZED GM DEALERS COLLISION REPAIR SHOP
VEHICLE HAS 66444 MILES AND THROW OUT BEARING / INPUT SHAFT IS MAKING NOISE
SECONDARY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. RANDOM EXPLOSION THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. SUNNY AND 45 DEGREE WEATHER IN CENTRAL OHIO
BREAK FAILURE LED TO ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OFFICER ON THE SCENE INFORMED THE WHEN THE VEHICLES CRUNCH ZONE IS ENABLED THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY TO AVOID INJURIES OF ANY PASSENGER OR DRIVER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL VIBRATED VIGOROUSLY THUS NOT SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN TO AVOID A COLLISION.
A FEW DAYS AGO, WE WERE DRIVING WHEN OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED. WE HEARD THE LOUDEST BANG I HAVE HEARD AND THEN GLASS STARTED FALLING THROUGH THE EDGES OF THE SUN SHADE THAT WAS CLOSED. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SUN SHADE, I AM SURE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS SHARDS, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD HAVE WRECKED THE CAR. WHEN WE PULLED OVER THE MOON ROOF WAS OBVIOUSLY BLOWN OUTWARD, WHICH I HAVE PICTURES OF. AFTER A BRIEF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS A COMMON ONE. WHEN MY WIFE CALLED TOYOTA THE FIRST GUY SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE, BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE EXTRA BUMP TO BUMPER WARRANTY, WE BOUGHT. TOYOTA REFERRED ME TO THE TOLL FREE NUMBER (1-800-331-4331) TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AND SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. TOYOTA GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER (1507133039) AND SAID SOMEONE FROM CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULD BE CALLING ME BACK. THE GUY THAT CALLED ME BACK WAS DENNIS KING FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERDALE, UTAH WHERE WE FIRST CALLED, AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOYOTA THAT AUTHORIZES ANY REPAIR. I HAVE INCLUDED JUST A FEW OF THE WEB LINKS THAT DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF EXPLODING MOON ROOFS. HTTP://WWW.WJLA.COM/ARTICLES/2014/07/7-ON-YOUR-SIDE-EXPLODING-SUNROOFS-ARE-MORE-COMMON-THAN-YOU-MIGHT-THINK-105226.HTML . HTTP://WWW.USGLASSMAG.COM/AGRR/BACKISSUES/2013/JANUARYFEBRUARY/PLAYINGSHERLOCK__FEATURE.HTM HTTP://WWW.NBCNEWYORK.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/SHATTERED-GLASS-SUNROOF--293692881.HTML
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT AN ABNORMAL WHINING SOUND. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SOUND WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
The 2013 Scion tC has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 9 owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Scion tC.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2013 Scion tC.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2013 Scion tC are power train (3 reports), service brakes (2 reports), structure,unknown or other,visibility/wiper (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2013 Scion tC. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.