The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Better than average · most complaints: airbags
Better years to buy
28 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Scion xB 1122008 Ford Crown Victoria2008 Dodge Avenger 218
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,500 and 36,000 miles (4,000–58,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V035000 (equipment), 10V036000 (equipment) and 09V223000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Scion sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Installation of outside rear view mirrors during pds”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Scion's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 28 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 35K miles (4K to 58K km) on the car (25 of all 28 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Driving down roadway and all of the sudden and without any warning the sunroof exploded covering me and the vehicle with glass cutting your arms and I started bleeding everywhere.
2008 Scion tC owner · NHTSA complaint 10284754
More owner reports
I was driving my 2008 Scion tc at low speed when the fromt panel of the moon roof spontaneoulsy shattered.
NHTSA complaint 10276762
Motor vehicle hit a bump in the road and rolled over and hit a light pole. Airbags failed to deploy to protect occupant.
NHTSA complaint 10222057
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 12.7M views · 2005–2010 Scion tC
Most-watched topics
- Windows, doors & mirrors294K views
How to reset power windows and hatch back of a 2005 Scion tCJane P. · 130K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical238K views
How to Replace Alternator in a Scion TC 2004-2010Fixbook · 102K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door211K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2006 Scion tC | AQ1072Filterheads · 105K views · 6 videos - Steering & suspension200K views
2005-2010 Scion TC wheel bearing replacementHelping Hand Auto Repair · 111K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS199K views
2005 - 2010 Scion tC LED brake light replacementGearmo Auto · 81K views · 4 videos - Oil changes & service136K views
![How to Change Your Oil - 2006 Scion tC - Toyota 2AZ-FE engine [Oil Change Procedure]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tklf2mYSR4A/mqdefault.jpg)
How to Change Your Oil - 2006 Scion tC - Toyota 2AZ-FE engine [Oil Change Procedure]James Fix It! · 71K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank114K views
Scion tC Fuel pump removal easy 2004 - 2010Fix it Felix · 75K views · 3 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets113K views
How To Change The Valve Cover Gasket On A 2005-2010 Scion TCHow to Automotive · 96K views · 4 videos
Before you buy, watch
2009 Scion tC Sunroof Problems and fixesDallas Auto Diag · 41K views
2005 Scion tC poor idle problems please helpSabastian Kimball · 15K views
2007 Scion tC Hatchback 2-door Coupe "gas saver, reliable" “CARFAX” - $3,999 Chula VistaBroadway Auto Group · 6K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Scion told dealers about
Scion sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Installation of outside rear view mirrors during pds
- Dcc fuse installation during pds
- Floor mat installation during (pds) pre-delivery service
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
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 BETW…
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$2,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Scion tC year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Scion tC years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/scion-tc/?y=2008" title="Scion tC reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/scion-tc/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Scion tC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Scion tC reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better). The Scion tC year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2008 Scion tC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (36%), visibility (18%) and speed control (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Scion tC have?
3 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Scion tC get?
23 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Scion tC problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,500 and 36,000 miles (4,000–58,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Scion tC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Scion tC cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Scion tC have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Scion tC year than the 2008?
Not nearby: the 2008 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Scion tC years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works