Model year
2005 Scion tC
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 155 complaints for the 2005 Scion tC (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY (32), AIR BAGS (15), STRUCTURE:BODY (15). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$3,050, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2005 155 complaints
- 2006 161 complaints
- 2007 117 complaints
- 2008 86 complaints
- 2009 60 complaints
- 2010 20 complaints
- 2011 29 complaints
- 2012 8 complaints
- 2013 9 complaints
- 2014 20 complaints
- 2015 22 complaints
- 2016 6 complaints
Recalls
10V035000 · Feb 3, 2010
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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 BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE…
06V408000 · Oct 26, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS MAY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR IF THE DOOR FOR THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CLOSED WITH A HIGH RATE OF FORCE WHILE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION IS IN THE "ON" POSITION OR WITHIN 90 SECONDS…
06V096000 · Apr 3, 2006
AIR BAGS
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG…
05V483000 · Oct 18, 2005
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A GLASS WIND DEFLECTOR, THE DEFLECTOR, IF IMPACTED BY A PROJECTILE, SUCH AS ROAD DEBRIS, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WIND DEFLECTOR IN THE UPWARD-TILTED POSITION AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, MAY SHATTER AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.
Complaints
155 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 25, fire flag on 3, injury field 35, deaths field 2. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05021 | SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGE · VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | Apr 28, 2005 | Aug 26, 2005 |
| EA05013 | SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGE · VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | Aug 26, 2005 | Oct 26, 2005 |
| PE06024 | GLASS MOONROOF SHATTERS · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS; VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | Jul 7, 2006 | Dec 6, 2006 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tC · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| tC · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Scion tC at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.