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Scion TCModel year report

2009 Scion TC Problems

Compared with other Scion TC years

Typical for this model

58/100 1.2× 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
60filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
45,740miles, 42 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower 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 2009 Scion TC (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Scion tC most often write about oil consumption — complaints describe adding a quart every 1,000-1,500 miles and dealers running an oil-use test or pointing to a warranty program. A second cluster concerns airbags that owners say did not deploy in a collision, and several owners report the plastic trunk/hatch handle breaking off in normal use.

  1. Engine

    Excessive engine oil consumption

    • 10 complaints (17%)
    • median 65,500 mi at 7.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2014–2024

    Complaints describe the 2.4L engine using large amounts of oil, in some cases a quart every 1,000 miles or more, with owners topping up frequently and the oil light coming on between changes. Several owners say the dealer ran a consumption test over roughly 1,200 miles, and that the outcome was inconsistent — some were told the car passed, others that the engine was not covered or was outside the program. A few describe the engine running rough, briefly losing power, or nearly running dry. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 45,000 to 150,000 miles in the sample, and often noticed between oil changes rather than on a single trip.

    10 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for oil-change and top-up records and whether the oil consumption test or the warranty enhancement work was ever performed; check the dipstick level and look for blue smoke at startup.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My 2009 Scion TC has been burning through oil at a fast rate causing me to have to fill it up with oil every week. I stay pretty local and rarely go out of town with my vehicle. It is causing a very rough idle in my car. I saw there was a recall but it has not gone through with it. By the looks of many complaints with the same problem as mine needs to be fixed. With no oil being in a car it can cause the engine to blow up and my car is constantly going through oil before every 1000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #11204691, filed 2019-04, 73,000 miles

    “We are having a problem with our 2009 toyota Scion using excessive oil. We have to put a quart of oil in every 1,200-1,500 miles as the car is using excessive oil. This is a safety issue as the engine will blow up if it runs out of oil. The oil light has come on and we have put oil in but the last time we checked the oil, it was low and the light did not come on. In may of this year, the car was put on the oil consumption program. We brought the car back with 1,200 and they said the car passed the program. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10915172, filed 2016-10, 58,000 miles
  2. Air bags

    Airbags did not deploy in a crash

    • 7 complaints (12%)
    • median 102,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2009–2019

    Complaints describe front or side airbags that did not deploy in collisions the owners considered substantial, including front-end and side impacts; a few involve seat belts that came loose or a curtain airbag that stayed folded. Some owners say they were injured and that no cause was confirmed; in several cases the vehicle was destroyed and the manufacturer was not notified. Mostly reported on vehicles with higher mileage, around 60,000 to 145,000 miles in the sample, and typically after a collision rather than as a standing warning.

    What to check: Check for any airbag warning light or stored crash codes, confirm the vehicle has not been in a reported collision with undeployed bags, and ask whether the airbag system has ever been serviced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My daughter and son were in an accident as a passenger in a Scion TC 2009 and the car rolled multiple times and both the front and back passenger seat belts unlatched and the passenger curtain airbag did not deploy or inflate. With these defects, my daughters legs were trapped under the car and sustained traumatic bone damage in which her prognosis at this time is unknown. Her left ankle, the talus, fibula, and tibia were crushed. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11031640, filed 2017-10, 102,000 miles

    “I would call this a question for now. The event:a van ran a stop sign. A 2009 Scion ct t-boned the side sliding door at apprx.20- 25 MPH . Causing approx. 8000 dollars in damage. Front bumper,both front fenders,hood buckled, radiator pushed all the way up to the motor the question is why didn't the air bags go off? Also the van ran the stop sign with tree limb in front of it. Who would be responsible for tree home owner or city? I don't know if this site is the correct place to ask these questions or not. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10283417, filed 2009-09
  3. Body and structure

    Trunk and hatch handle breaks off

    • 7 complaints (12%)
    • median 26,323 mi at 2.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2009–2013

    Owners describe the plastic trunk release handle on the hatch breaking away in normal use, sometimes leaving it hanging by the wires and covering the license-plate lights. Several say the dealer declined warranty coverage or told them the handle should not be used to lift the hatch. Complaints also mention the remote not releasing the trunk reliably. Reported from very low mileage up to about 65,000 miles, often within the first couple of years of ownership.

    What to check: Open and close the hatch a few times, look closely at the plastic handle and its mounting for cracks, and confirm the license-plate lights and remote release work.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The event leading to the failure was me reaching to open the rear hatch of the car. When I placed my hand on the car hatch handle, the hatch panel broke off and hangs over the license plate and swings violently when I'm driving. Toyota claims that the part isn't covered by warranty.”

    NHTSA complaint #10285585, filed 2009-09, 12,567 miles

    “The hatch handle on my car broke off when I was lifting the hatch to put some items in my trunk. When I looked further into why it broke, I realized that the pieces were just small plastic pieces and could be easily snapped. I was able to tape the piece back, but was unable to remove it completely because there are wires that connect the handle piece to the car and you need them to be able to lift the back of the car. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10453723, filed 2012-04, 65,000 miles
  4. Vehicle speed control

    Sudden or unintended acceleration

    • 8 complaints (13%)
    • median 12,500 mi at 1.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2013

    Complaints describe the car surging forward while parking, from a stop light, or on the highway, with owners saying the brake did not stop it and that the emergency brake led to a spin. Several owners report the dealer or manufacturer could not duplicate the condition, and some note the car was not included in a related recall. Mostly reported under about 35,000 miles, often at low speed while parking or pulling away from a stop.

    What to check: Test the pedal and throttle response at low speed and from a stop, ask whether the throttle body or pedal assembly has been replaced, and have any stored codes read before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have been experiencing the accelerating gas pedal problems since the day I drove it off the lot, but it would occur on the low speed 20-30mph and as soon as I push brakes the accelerating would stop. On feb 15th it has happened on the highway. It accelerated from 65 to 73-75mph while I was pushing brake repeatedly! …”

    NHTSA complaint #10311312, filed 2010-02, 11,564 miles

    “I purchased a 2009 toyota Scion from the fairfield, ca dealership . I was on the freeway when my car accelerated up to a faster speed than I wanted I tried to correct it in the confusion and not understanding what was going on I lost control and crashed into another vehicle. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10492970, filed 2013-01
  5. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Sunroof glass shattering

    • 5 complaints (8%)
    • median 20,000 mi at 1.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2009–2017

    Owners describe the glass sunroof breaking while driving at highway speed with no impact seen, with glass falling into or blowing out of the cabin. Some say the dealer attributed the break to a thrown object or found no manufacturing fault, and one repair involved resealing the glass rather than replacing it. Reported from about 6,000 to 47,000 miles, usually at highway speeds.

    What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass and seals for chips, cracks or uneven fit, and ask whether the glass or sealant has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The moonroof on my Scion TC shattered as I was driving on the freeway. There were no other cars around me and I did not see any large objects hit my car.”

    NHTSA complaint #10949143, filed 2017-02, 135,000 miles

    “Was driving 2009 Scion TC on highway no traffic around and glass roof imploded into vehicle with shards of glass falling into vehicle, it was like plate glass breaking not like safety glass, nothing appeared to strike vehicle to cause the break.”

    NHTSA complaint #10304553, filed 2010-02, 10,600 miles

Buying note. On a 2009 tC, oil consumption is the main thing to verify: ask for service records and check the oil level and history of consumption testing before purchase. Also inspect the trunk handle, sunroof glass and airbag warning lights during a test drive, and have a pre-purchase inspection done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 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 60 consumer complaints for the 2009 Scion TC. 42 of the complaints include a mileage, and 55% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,740 miles. Of all complaints, 15 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 118 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 58 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: Electrical system (2), Electronic stability control (2), Equipment (2), Seat belts (2), Steering (2), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Hello, back in 2016 I got a letter in the mail that said that toyota was having this oil problem with its vehicles burning to much oil. That they would have to run a certain test on your vehicle and make you drive it 1200 miles and if your vehicle failed they would cover fixing the piston issues that were a manufactured problem on there part. I went and at the time my vehicle was 131,049 miles on it. They took it in but came out shortly after saying my engine was not the engine of my vehicle meaning it had been replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11141832, filed 2018-10, 131,049 miles

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2009 toyota Scion TC. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy however, there were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10555279, filed 2013-12, 60,000 miles

Body and structure: “I have had my 2009 Scion TC for just about 2 years now, back in february I was just doing some grocery shopping, went to open the trunk and the whole trunk release handle fell off,and now is just connected by wires which is a distraction to drivers behind me and also covers the license plate which I'm sure is just cause for me to get a traffic fine. I took it to the dealership where I bought it and they said its not under warranty,even though I have a full warranty left on my car for 100,00 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #10510646, filed 2013-05, 43,275 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I have a 2009 toyota Scion TC which I am very afraid to drive but it is not on the recall list but I am having major problems with the brakes(ABS tracking system). I have had 3 very close calls as a result of my brakes locking up(going slow) and unable to stop, even after I take my foot off the brake they remain locked. One incident I almost went right into a busy 4 lane highway. It has happened on dry roads and wet roads are a lot worse, I have to start stopping a lot sooner than one should. I am very stressed when having to drive my vehicle anymore. …”

NHTSA complaint #10313487, filed 2010-02, 12,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

55% of the 42 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 73,000 miles.

19%0–1019%10–2517%25–5024%50–755%75–10012%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (42 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 45,740 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’0913’11’13’15’17’19’22’26
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 2009 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 2009 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. 118 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 118 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 2009 Scion TC?

Owners of the 2009 Scion tC most often write about oil consumption — complaints describe adding a quart every 1,000-1,500 miles and dealers running an oil-use test or pointing to a warranty program. The issues reported most often: Excessive engine oil consumption; Airbags did not deploy in a crash; Trunk and hatch handle breaks off.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Scion TC have?

NHTSA recorded 60 consumer complaints for the 2009 Scion TC as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Scion TC is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 15 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags with 9.

Has the 2009 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 2009 Scion TC get?

The EPA rates the 2009 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 2009 Scion TC reported?

Among the 42 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,740 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 73,000 miles; 55% 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.