Should I buy a 2008 Toyota Scion tC with documented engine problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented engine issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2008 Toyota Scion tC engine problems

moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$3,100

What owners are reporting 5 most recent

engine · filed 12/30/2021

Uses too much oil between oil change. 1quart low at 2000 miles. Should not burn this much oil. I have researched other vehicles having this same issue and this needs to be fixed. I checked Toyota website but it doesn’t show a recall for this car and it is have an issue that needs to be corrected. I scheduled an appointment for Jan 8th and hope they can get it fixed. But after reading what others h…

engine · filed 12/08/2020

HIGH OIL CONSUMTION

engine · filed 12/06/2019

MY TC HAS VERY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. STARTING DAY ONE FROM OIL CHANGE, I HAVE TO ADD AT LEAST 2 QUARTS OF OIL TO ENGINE DURING THE 5000 MILES OIL CHANGE. THIS CAR IS VERY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, I BROUGHT TO DEALER AND HAVE IT TESTED TWICE, BUT DEALER SAID NOT QUALIFIED. FIRST TEST WAS 11-09-15, SECOND TEST WAS 07-28-17. MY CAR HAS NO LEAKING OIL, AND ITS ODOMETER 65K CURRENTLY.

engine · filed 05/19/2023

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion TC. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine consumed a quart of oil every 4.5 miles. Additionally, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that oil was leaking into the…

engine · filed 01/06/2023

2008 Scion TC engine suffers from an engineering flaw with its Piston Rings, it suffers from excessive Oil Consumption. It started at 65k miles on the engine. Total disaster.

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2008 Toyota Scion tC?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 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?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

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.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. 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.