no report yet
2005 Scion TCProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 155 owner complaints about the 2005 Scion TC, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 10, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Scion TC has problems
155 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
47Visibility3 crash/fire/injury
31Structure5 crash/fire/injury
20Air bags15 crash/fire/injury
10Tires
9Engine
8Vehicle speed control
8Power train
7Service brakes, hydraulic
6Equipment
4215 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 47 | 3 |
| Structure | 31 | 5 |
| Air bags | 20 | 15 |
| Tires | 10 | 1 |
| Engine | 9 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 3 |
| Power train | 8 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 7 | 4 |
| Equipment | 6 | 2 |
| 15 other systems | 42 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2005 Scion TC recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Air bags: side/window
Risk. IF THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY, THEY COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED ON THE SAME SIDE OF…
no report yet
Air bags
Risk. THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. PIECES OF THE WIND DEFLECTOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME AND FALL UPON THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Scion.
Mileage at failure
When do visibility problems start?
33kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 34 visibility complaints. 91% were reported before 100,000 miles.
16under 30k miles31under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other TC year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the TC median. How we score
'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Scion TC, and the recalls they led to.
- SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGELed to recall 05V-483
- SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGENo recall
- GLASS MOONROOF SHATTERSNo recall
In owners' words
What TC owners report
Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SCION TC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
I WAS DRIVING ALONG GOVERNMENT ST, THE STREETS DOWNTOWN NEEDS MAJOR REPAIRS. BUT I DIDN'T HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR NOTHING TO CAUSE MY GLASS TO BREAK. I DIDN'T EVEN HEAR ANYTHING HIT MY GLASS I HAD THE SUNROOF OPEN WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER AND DOG IN THE CAR WHEN GLASS BEGIN TO FALL ON US. *TR
WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR THAT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS, I FOUND THAT THE DEFLECTOR WAS RAISED AND THE SUNROOF WAS ENTIRELY SHATTERED. THE "LEGS" OF THE DEFLECTOR APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN THROUGH THE GLASS, AS THE SUNROOF WAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND BROKEN ALONG EACH OF ITS FOUR…
Own a 2005 TC?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.