The Lemon Index
2010
20132nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: lights
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Scion xB2011 Ford Crown Victoria 212011 Dodge Avenger 65
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 18E091000 (brakes) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Scion sent dealers 87 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Toyota 2006-2011: this tsb contains an owner notification letter”?
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 15 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 1K to 30K miles (3K to 48K km) on the car (12 of all 15 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 · 8.5M views · 2011–2016 Scion tC
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service94K views
2012 Scion tc 2.5L oil and filter change. See note.Randy Templeton · 41K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter81K views
2011-2016 Scion TC Transmission Oil And Filter Change DIYBuilt for Speed · 46K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door52K views
2013 Scion TC a/c not working. Nightmare diagnostic.G Auto Repair · 29K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils36K views
2011-2016 Scion TC Gen 2 Spark Plug change (with part numbers and torque specs)BrunerTuner · 14K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition30K views
2011 SCION TC WON'T CRANK, WON'T START issue.....one click....fixed!Peter L · 30K views - Gauges, lights & wiring28K views
How to reset the maintenance light on a 2011-2016 Scion tCJT43 · 28K views - Timing chain & engine24K views
2014 Scion TC Carbon fiber hood wrap DIY instructionsCarlos David Falconi · 24K views - Windows, doors & mirrors16K views
2012 Scion tc door panel removal.Randy Templeton · 16K views
Before you buy, watch
2011–2016 Scion tC Defects, Inspections, and Common ProblemsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 20K views
Scion tC AT20 2nd gen 2011 to 2016 common problems, issues, defects, recalls and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 16K views
Review: 2013 Scion tCMatt Maran Motoring · 232K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2011 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 87 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Toyota 2006-2011: this tsb contains an owner notification letter
- Immediately following a cold soak startup, some 2011 ?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Brakes · recall issued 2018
Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.
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 $2,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.
Every Scion tC year. 2011 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 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/scion-tc/?y=2011" 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/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Scion tC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Scion tC reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 57; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2011 Scion tC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (27%), visibility (13%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Scion tC have?
1 safety recall (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Scion tC get?
25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Scion tC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Scion tC cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Scion tC have?
2.5L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Scion tC year than the 2011?
Not nearby: the 2011 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Scion tC years within 3 model years of it.
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