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
2010 Toyota Scion tC brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2010 Toyota Scion tC have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Scion tC | 5 |
| 2010 Scion tC (this page) | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 brakes complaints filed for the 2010 Toyota Scion tC, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Happened last weekend, was making a right turn in my new 2010 Scion tc. Car is just barely 2 months old and less than 800 miles on the odometer. Middle part of a nice, mild day, dry road, but some broken pavement/roughness at the corner there. Someone coming from my 3 o'clock position was planning to make a u-turn in the intersection so I attempted to stop for them before completing my right…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Scion tc. The contact stated that the fuel filler tank cap would dislodge whenever the vehicle was being refueled. Also, the brake pedal would abnormally travel to the floorboard when depressed and would feel spongy. As a result, there was a delay in response from the vehicle when braking. In addition, the check engine light was continuously illuminated. The vehicle…
Had brakes trouble with your 2010 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 brakes problem on the 2010 Toyota Scion tC?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 30,770 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2010/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.