2010 Toyota Scion tC problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 20 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2010 Toyota Scion tC has 20 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 7 complaints, typically surfacing around 114,000 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 Scion tC | 9 | 0 |
| 2008 Scion tC | 7 | 0 |
| 2010 Scion tC (this page) | 20 | 0 |
| 2012 Scion tC | 3 | 0 |
| 2013 Scion tC | 4 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — 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 2010 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
- engine — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 114,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- visibility — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 37,333 mi · ~$350 to fix
- brakes — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 30,770 mi · ~$450 to fix
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: 8.6/10 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 2010 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 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Vehicle was accelerating on highway when knocking was heard and engine failire occurred. Was coasted to a stop and oil was checked. No oil in the vehicle. New engine needed for vehicle. Vehicle is at 80,000 and oil changes were maintained. No oil leaks visible.
Right front brake not releasing wore brake pad down to nothing. Discovered brake overheating sounded like a wheel bearing failing but mechanic discovered brake not releasing. *tr
I took my car to Toyota on August 7th 2021 and was informed my car needed a new engine due to losing three quarts of oil. The employee then informed me my car was under recall but they would be unable to fix the problem because the recall had expired. I never received a letter…
Warranty Enhancement Program –Part Replacement for Excessive Oil Consumption (NEVER INFORMED OF THIS ISSUE) I just found out that this expired on 3/27/2020 but Toyota mentioned this was created by your department. and within this letter we never received they are not willing to…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Toyota Scion tC reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 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 2010 Toyota Scion tC?
On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Toyota Scion tC does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — 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 2010 Toyota Scion tC?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 7 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 114,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 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 2010 Toyota Scion tC a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 20 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 114,000 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 2010 Toyota Scion tC?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 7 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 114,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 114,000 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 2010 Toyota Scion tC?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 20 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.