The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,998 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 30 complaints in its first 3 years.
30 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Scion xB 1372009 Ford Crown Victoria 792009 Dodge Avenger
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,000 and 35,000 miles (14,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 30 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.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Scion sent dealers 118 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Scion has received some reports where the Back Dorr Garnish may loosen”?
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 30 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 9K to 35K miles (14K to 56K km) on the car (24 of all 30 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
2009 toyota Scion. Consumer states unintended acceleration
2009 Scion tC owner · NHTSA complaint 10482989
More owner reports
Brakes feel hesitant to stop and slow down, feel like its a safety hazard because, my 17 year old son has to drive this car, and I need to feel that he has a safe, sturdy sort of transportation.
NHTSA complaint 10450333
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 2009 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 118 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Scion has received some reports where the Back Dorr Garnish may loosen
- Multiple warning lights illuminated, vehicle not shifting from park to drive, and other…
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. 2009 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/scion-tc/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Scion tC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Scion tC reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,998 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Scion tC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (23%), body structure (20%) and visibility (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 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 2009 Scion tC get?
23 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Scion tC problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,000 and 35,000 miles (14,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 30 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 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 2009 Scion tC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 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 2009 Scion tC have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Scion tC year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). 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