2005 Scion Tc Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Scion Tc.

< older2006
Complaints
203
Crashes
34
Fires
4
Injuries
40
Fatalities
3
Recalls
1

Worst 2005 Scion Tc Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#132 complaints

Sunroof/Moonroof

Avg mileage:36,367 mi
#215 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:85,715 mi
Crash-related:11
#315 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:69,227 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Scion Tc.

Sunroof/Moonroof
32
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,367
Airbags
15
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
85,715
Body Structure
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
69,227
Engine Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
101,126
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
52,582
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
94,939
Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
62,975
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,794
Other Equipment
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
20,955
Visibility:Windshield
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
39,105
Latches / Locks
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Scion Tc. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2005 Scion Tc

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~271,417 vehicles.

10V035000Equipment:other:labels
~271,417 affected

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Other Scion Tc Years

2005 Scion Tc — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2005 Scion Tc reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2005 Scion Tc has 203 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Sunroof/Moonroof with 32 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2005 Scion Tc?
Top reported problems: Sunroof/Moonroof (32 complaints, avg 36,367 mi); Airbags (15 complaints, avg 85,715 mi); Body Structure (15 complaints, avg 69,227 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Scion Tc?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 59,746 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2005 Scion Tc?
NHTSA complaints for the 2005 Scion Tc include 34 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 40 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2005 Scion Tc have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 271,417 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2005 Scion Tc?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (sunroof/moonroof) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Scion Tc reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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