2006 Toyota Scion tC problems
The 2006 Toyota Scion tC has 161 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2006 Toyota Scion tC has 161 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 42 complaints, typically surfacing around 52,403 miles (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Scion tC (this page) | 161 | 0 |
| 2007 Scion tC | 9 | 0 |
| 2008 Scion tC | 7 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Visibility: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 15,560–79,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Toyota Scion tC? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- visibility — 42 owner reports · tends to show around 52,403 mi · ~$350 to fix
- body — 22 owner reports · tends to show around 73,277 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- airbags — 20 owner reports · tends to show around 64,973 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- engine — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 102,204 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: visibility is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 52,403 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2006 Toyota Scion tC
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2006 Toyota Scion tC
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~50,000 mivisibility~$350
- ~52,800 miairbags~$1,100
- ~66,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~81,910 miengine~$3,100
- ~90,000 misteering~$700
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was driving north on garden state parkway at about 70 MPH in my 06 Scion tc when my moon roof exploded. All windows (including the moon roof) were closed at the time. The moon roof completely failed (falling glass debris) in a half moon shape in the middle front. The wind…
The trunk handle on my broke off. Scion refuses to accept responsibility for this design defect. My husband glued it down, but my concern is that if the piece breaks off or detaches it could cause damage to another vehicle or injury. Scion representatives said that it isn't a…
This car is constantly burning oil. My oil pressure light never fails to turn on somewhere between 1000-2000 miles after each oil change, and I have to refill to stop the light from coming back on.
As my daughter was driving down the freeway, for no apparent reason, the moonroof shattered. This seems to be a reoccurring problem with this particular car. Toyota needs to address this, now! *tr
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Scion tC reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Toyota Scion tC is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Toyota Scion tC?
The 2006 Toyota Scion tC is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Visibility: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 15,560–79,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Toyota Scion tC?
Inspect the visibility first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 42 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,403 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Toyota Scion tC a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 161 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Typical failure occurs around 52,403 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Toyota Scion tC?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 42 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,403 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 64,973 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Scion tC has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Toyota Scion tC?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 161 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.