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Scion TCModel year report

2012 Scion TC Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
44,943miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Scion TC (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2012 Scion TC. The part named most often is visibility, with 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by other or unknown (3) and air bags (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,943 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 87 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “I was driving on 60 freeway when my sunroof window exploded/shattered. I'm doing some research and its happening on this make and model frequently. I went to toyota and talked to them regarding if there is recall about it because looks like its a manufacturer defect. I ended up paying for it via my insurance. How can I as a consumer be protected if this a manufacturer defect? It seems they don't have a program about it.”

NHTSA complaint #11329502, filed 2020-06, 172,000 miles

Other or unknown: “On my way home on I-10 there was no traffic near me, windows up sunroof closed AC on, my roommate with me we hear what sounded like a gun shot than a shower of glass. We pulled over to find the glass panel in the roof had shattered there was no impact mark(s) I drove straight to the place I got the car(new) (philpot motors in nederland tx) where I was told that they had two cars on the lot that did the same thing, but completely refused to do anything about this issue. I called my insur, co. About it and that told me that should be warranty deal. …”

NHTSA complaint #10736222, filed 2015-07, 13,350 miles

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2012 Scion TC. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 to 15 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle swerved and crash head on into a telephone pole. Upon impact the air bags failed to deploy. The driver received injuries to his head, neck and back. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was pending an investigation. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 841.”

NHTSA complaint #10481523, filed 2012-10, 841 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,350 and 63,200 miles.

17%0–1017%10–2517%25–5033%50–750%75–1000%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 44,943 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20122013201420152017201920202
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 2012 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 FWD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed manual233025$2,700
tC FWD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automatic223025$2,700

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 2012 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. 87 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 87 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 2012 Scion TC have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2012 Scion TC as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Scion TC is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 3.

Has the 2012 Scion TC been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Scion TC get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Scion TC (tC, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Scion TC reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,943 miles and the middle half falls between 13,350 and 63,200 miles; 50% 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.