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.
2006 Toyota Scion tC engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2006 Toyota Scion tC have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 81,910 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Scion tC (this page) | 18 |
| 2007 Scion tC | 6 |
| 2008 Scion tC | 5 |
| 2010 Scion tC | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 18 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Scion tC, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Of the 4 model years of Toyota Scion tC we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 18.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The engine cover is cracked, this cover has never been removed for any type of repair. Wondering if the heat of the engine caused it to crack. *tr
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2006 Toyota Scion tC?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 69,000 and 112,000 miles, with the median around 81,910. A quarter of owners report trouble before 69,000; a quarter make it past 112,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.