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 design flaw, but rather user error from failure to open the latch properly. This is not the case, as I am now even more…
2006 Toyota Scion tC body problems
severe Owners of the 2006 Toyota Scion tC have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 66,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 22 body complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Scion tC, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I purchased my tc in september of 2010... I notice afterwards that it rattles in the back,loud while going down the road... And it is so annoying. I've tried everything to get it to stop. Also, sitting still with the car not in neutral it makes this loud rattle on the left side close to the gas tank.. What the heck??? *tr
There is a rattle noise coming from the rear left area around the hatch. This problem has been ongoing for years, and just realized many have reported the problem to Toyota online and a few complaints on your site. The rattle occurs when idle on a stop light, or idle somewhere. There appears to be something loose as you can hear a loose object when going over a pot hole or uneven road. The…
The hatch back trunk handle is very flimsy and made out of plastic. The trunk never opens just by pression the release latch, it also requires to pull on the flimsy latch, which could cause it to break. I have had to already replace it once. I have seen many reports here and online of the same problem with other owners. *tr
Had body trouble with your 2006 Toyota Scion tC?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2006 Toyota Scion tC?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 50,000 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 92,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Toyota/Scion tC.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.