The Lemon Index
2009
20111st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,204 in the U.S. in 2010 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Scion xB 512010 Dodge Avenger 572010 Kia Rio 31
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V035000 (equipment) and 10V036000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Scion sent dealers 116 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Drivers seat track slide lock will be inoperative after using the rear seat using the seat”?
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 5 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 5K to 11K miles (9K to 18K km) on the car (5 of all 5 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.
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 2010 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 116 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Drivers seat track slide lock will be inoperative after using the rear seat using the seat
- In limited cases vehicles being serviced for ze7 will require a replacement short block
- Some 2007 2010 model year tc and 2008 2015 model year xb vehicles equipped with the 2az-fe…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- 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…
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. 2010 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/scion-tc/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Scion tC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Scion tC reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,204 were sold in the U.S. in 2010 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2010 Scion tC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (40%), brakes (20%) and steering (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Scion tC have?
2 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 2010 Scion tC get?
23 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Scion tC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 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 2010 Scion tC have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Scion tC year is better than the 2010?
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