Skip to content
Scion TCModel year report

2008 Scion TC Problems

Compared with other Scion TC years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
86filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,000miles, 75 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Scion TC (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 Scion tC most often describe excessive engine oil use, which many say began around 35,000-70,000 miles and in some cases led to engine replacement after the oil level dropped without warning. A second common theme is the rear hatch garnish and handle assembly breaking apart during ordinary use, typically well under 100,000 miles, plus reports of the sunroof or moonroof glass shattering while driving.

  1. Body and structure

    Rear hatch handle and garnish panel breaking off

    • 19 complaints (22%)
    • median 47,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
    • filed 2010–2014

    Owners describe the plastic trim panel carrying the hatch release and emblem detaching, cracking, or snapping off during ordinary opening of the rear hatch, often leaving it hanging by the wiring for the license-plate lights. Some say the clips or plastic mounts had become brittle, and that the trunk could then not be opened normally. According to complaints, dealers quoted several hundred dollars for the assembly and generally did not cover it as a warranty item; some owners mention a melted rubber release element. Reported from very low mileage up to about 90,000 miles, often in the 30,000-65,000 mile range, with the car parked or in normal use.

    What to check: Open and close the rear hatch slowly and look closely at the garnish panel and handle for cracks, loose clips, or prior repairs. Confirm the license-plate lights work and that the latch releases cleanly.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Hello I went to my car to get my grocery out of the trunk and when I went to open the truck the hatch handle clips broke I contacted Scion they said there aren't any complaints and because I hadn't had my car service at Scion dealership I wasn't showing brand loyalty so they can't help me, with this part being broken their isn't a way to get into the trunk.”

    NHTSA complaint #10459936, filed 2012-05, 54,000 miles

    “I was simply trying to open the rear hatch to my car and the plastic piece that holds the button to open the back broke off. I looked inside the plastic cover and it appeared as though the plastic piece itself had broken. My license plate light does not work now which is required by law in the state of texas so I can possibly get a ticket due to toyota's gross negligence.”

    NHTSA complaint #10497850, filed 2013-02, 91,000 miles
  2. Engine

    Excessive engine oil consumption, leading to engine damage

    • 27 complaints (31%)
    • median 102,005 mi at 7.9 yrs old (22 state mileage)
    • filed 2010–2025

    Complaints describe the engine using large amounts of oil between oil changes, with no visible leaks, and dark soot in the exhaust. Owners say the oil light came on while driving, or the dipstick showed the engine nearly dry after a few thousand miles, and some dealers told them consumption of a quart every several hundred to a thousand miles was within normal range. Several complaints say oil consumption tests were performed and the car either passed or no repair followed, and in some cases the engine then seized or failed outright. Others report the dealer identified worn piston rings or said the engine needed replacement. Most often reported between roughly 70,000 and 140,000 miles, though a few owners noticed oil loss as early as 35,000 miles.

    6 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for oil change records and whether the vehicle has had the 2AZ-FE oil consumption repair (pistons/rings) performed, and check the current oil level and condition. Running an oil consumption test over a few thousand miles is a reasonable precondition to purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I bought a new 2008 toyota Scion. When my car broke down while driving, I had it towed to my mechanic. He suggested the engine was bad and would not touch it. Then I had it towed to the dealers. Its' engine died just short of the warranty miles. First the dealer tells me outright that in this economy there was no way the company would replace the engine. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10324096, filed 2010-04, 35,800 miles

    “My engine seized. Long story short, my car was burning oil at a rate of 1 quart every 700 miles. I was taking my car to a toyota dealership every 5000 miles for my free oil changes. No one noticed I was burning that much oil until I started hearing sounds from my engine. It was too late at that point. There was permanent engine damage confirmed by 2 mechanics at private shops. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10526086, filed 2013-07, 120,000 miles
  3. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Sunroof or moonroof glass shattering while driving

    • 8 complaints (9%)
    • median 35,000 mi at 1.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2019

    Complaints describe a loud bang, often compared to a gunshot, followed by the sunroof glass breaking and spraying glass into the cabin while driving at highway speeds, with no object seen hitting the car. Owners report the failure whether the roof was closed or open, and some say the dealer declined to cover the damage as a warranty repair. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 147,000 miles, usually at road speeds of 40-65 mph on paved roads.

    What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass for chips, scratches, or a non-factory replacement, and ask whether the roof panel or wind deflector has ever been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving on the beltway (495 north), my Scion TC moonroof shattered and the glass fell on me and on the inside of the car. My moonroof was fully opened at the time. Neither the deflector nor the stationary moonroof (which is located above the backseat) shattered but only the retractable moonroof. There was no impact from inside the car that caused the moonroof to shatter nor did I hear or see any rock or debris hit the outside of the car before it shattered and exploded into the car. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10239201, filed 2008-08, 5,045 miles

    “Driving down roadway and all of the sudden and without any warning the sunroof exploded covering me and the vehicle with glass cutting your arms and I started bleeding everywhere.”

    NHTSA complaint #10284754, filed 2009-09, 43,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbags not deploying in a collision

    • 11 complaints (13%)
    • median 45,001 mi at 3.9 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2018

    Several owners describe collisions with significant front or side damage in which the airbags did not deploy, including cases where the other vehicle's airbags did deploy. Others report unexpected deployment, such as the side curtain and seat airbag going off after closing a door or when driving over rough pavement; in those cases complaints state the dealer found no fault. Reported across a wide range, from under 6,000 miles to over 150,000 miles, at the time of a collision or unexpected event.

    What to check: Ask whether any airbag-related work or warning-light repairs have been done, and have the airbag warning light checked for proper self-test at startup.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After being involved in a collision where the entire passenger side of my 08 Scion TC was damaged none of my air bags deployed. The other car hit me behind the front wheel and then turned so both cars were facing the same way, slammed against each other. The other vehicle was an 03 olds alero whose airbags deployed. If this car has such a great safety rating for front and side impacts where were the air bags. The seat belt locked causing much pain and discomfort to my left shoulder. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10243584, filed 2008-09, 5,900 miles

    “While driving on a country road, which are everywhere in south central il, my driver side-curtain airbag deployed. The road is one which I've driven hundreds of times with no problems. The local toyota dealers regional manager told me that I had damaged the car by striking a pothole and that pothole caused the side-curtain airbag deployment. I had just had new tires installed the week before, so I returned to the tire shop and indeed my rims were slightly bent, but, they were still perfectly in balance. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10429356, filed 2011-10, 30,002 miles
  5. Brakes

    Brake pedal click and braking complaints

    • 6 complaints (7%)
    • median 46,512 mi at 5.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2016

    Owners describe the brake pedal making a clicking noise and snapping back when pressed, and one complaint says the dealer test drove the car, felt the same behavior, and called it normal. Another complaint describes hesitant braking with ABS, VSC, airbag, and brake warning lights on, with the dealer recommending a brake sensor replacement. Reported between about 14,800 and 48,000 miles.

    What to check: Press the brake pedal repeatedly while parked and at low speed and listen for clicking or snapping; ask whether the brake sensor and warning lights have been serviced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I got on the freeway driving to pick up my mom in the sunday morning around 6:50 am she works in lax driving on the 110 south freeway in los angeles,ca. This happen between manchester and century . …”

    NHTSA complaint #10809817, filed 2015-12, 87,807 miles

    “With the vehicle running, passenger exited the vehicle and closed the door. The airbag curtain and seat airbag deployed. Toyota kept the car for 65 days. The letter sent to me stated they found nothing wrong with the car and they were sorry for the mishap.”

    NHTSA complaint #10852170, filed 2016-03, 85,000 miles

Buying note. The 2008 tC is a simple, durable-feeling car, but check oil level and consumption history carefully before buying, since oil use is the most commonly reported concern and repairs can be costly. Inspect the rear hatch trim and sunroof glass closely, and ask for maintenance records covering both.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 86 consumer complaints for the 2008 Scion TC. 75 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 15 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 10 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 125 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 2 Scion TC model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (3), Steering (3), Wheels (3), Engine cooling (2), Tires (2), Electronic stability control (1), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Excessive oil consumption and this is the second engine that has blown in my car. The first problem was when the pistons blew up my engine and now here we go again with the pistons in the second motor. I called Scion customer service and spoke with camille and she basically told me I am stuck with this bad motor that I just had put in on april 7, 2017.”

NHTSA complaint #11119925, filed 2018-08, 190,000 miles

Body and structure: “I was opening my trunk and the handle latch and light case fell right off. I am not a very strong individual so how this would happen to me completely stumps me. Since this incident I have noticed this exact problem on more and more Scion TC's. I believe this is a structural body issue that the company should address.”

NHTSA complaint #10515137, filed 2013-06, 78,000 miles

Air bags: “This vehicle was just involved in an accident, rear-ending the car in front, the front end of the vehicle is demolished, the radiator and everything crushed and slammed back, fluids leaking from everything, even buckled the passenger door, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle in front of this vehicle's airbags deployed. The police officers on the scene could not understand why they did not deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #11074675, filed 2018-02, 135,000 miles

Other or unknown: “At around 35000 miles I noticed my car started burning oil. I thought this was normal so I began using thicker oil. The problem persisted. My car now has 185000 miles and I'm using 10w40 oil with oil stabilizer and the problem continues. I've had two oil consumption tests done on my car and, according to their testing standards, it has passed both times. However, the issue is ongoing and has of course worsened. It's to the point that my oil light came on in my car and I had to add 2 quarts of oil after only 3500 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #10960198, filed 2017-03, 176,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

43% of the 75 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,002 and 104,010 miles.

16%0–104%10–2523%25–5013%50–7515%75–10021%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (75 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’08’10’1210’14’16’18’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Scion TC version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
tC FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic212924$2,800
tC FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual202723$2,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Scion TC → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 125 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 125 bulletins →

Other model years of the Scion TC

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2016638,5002—26—Not enough data
20152233,9992—26—Falling
20142053,0000—26—Falling
2013960,0000—25—Not enough data
2012844,9431—25—Not enough data
20112929,0000—250 · FewerFalling
20102032,7432—24—Falling
20096045,7403—2458 · TypicalFalling
20088665,0003—2450 · TypicalRising
200711763,9152—24Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200616162,7505—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200515541,4654—23Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Scion TC model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Scion TC?

Owners of the 2008 Scion tC most often describe excessive engine oil use, which many say began around 35,000-70,000 miles and in some cases led to engine replacement after the oil level dropped without warning. The issues reported most often: Rear hatch handle and garnish panel breaking off; Excessive engine oil consumption, leading to engine damage; Sunroof or moonroof glass shattering while driving.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Scion TC have?

NHTSA recorded 86 consumer complaints for the 2008 Scion TC as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Scion TC is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 23 complaints (27% of the total), followed by body and structure with 22.

Has the 2008 Scion TC been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Scion TC get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Scion TC (tC, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Scion TC reported?

Among the 75 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,002 and 104,010 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.