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Scion TCModel year report

2010 Scion TC Problems

Complaints
20filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
32,743miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns 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 2010 Scion TC (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2010 Scion TC. The part named most often is engine, with 7 complaints (35% of the total), followed by visibility (4) and brakes (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 79% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,743 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 116 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 31 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Visibility complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Engine: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11155955, filed 2018-12, 80,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “My husband and I were driving down a town road in our community on cape cod on a clear day. Suddenly we heard what sounded like a gun shot. It scared the living daylights out of us because it was so loud, like an explosion. We pulled over into a parking lot to investigate what had happened. The sunroof of the car had completely exploded with shattered glass streaming off the back of the car. Thankfully, we had the canvas part of the sunroof closed. If left open, we would have had glass coming down onto our heads and laps. This, for sure, could have caused an accident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10704113, filed 2015-04, 30,000 miles

Brakes: “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 turn. Applied brakes and pedal resistance and deceleration rate initially seemed normal, but then when it got a little bumpy the brake pedal effort went to zero and so did my braking. …”

NHTSA complaint #10306002, filed 2010-02, 750 miles

Tires: “Traveling at posted speed on curved road in rain. Applied brakes coming into the turn, but tires lost traction and vehicle spun around and slid onto a dirt embankment with shrubs and small trees. Neither the front or side air bags deployed and I hit my head against the driver's side window. I do not believe the tires that are provided are suitable for wet pavement.”

NHTSA complaint #10347456, filed 2010-08, 6,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

79% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 11,000 and 45,000 miles.

21%0–1014%10–2543%25–500%50–7514%75–1007%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 32,743 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.

201352015201720192022
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 2010 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 2010 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. 116 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 116 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

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Scion TC have?

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2010 Scion TC as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Scion TC is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 7 complaints (35% of the total), followed by visibility with 4.

Has the 2010 Scion TC been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Scion TC get?

The EPA rates the 2010 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 2010 Scion TC reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,743 miles and the middle half falls between 11,000 and 45,000 miles; 79% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.