2005 Scion tC
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 53 of 155 complaints (34%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | vs. 2005 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,600–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 22–23 | 23–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–20 / 27 | 19–20 / 27 | 20–21 / 27–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–404 | 386–404 | 370–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 155 | 161 | 117 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 33 | 21 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 35 | 32 | 27 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 5 | 9 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Scion tC have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2005 Scion tC?
Visibility & Lighting: 53 of 155 NHTSA complaints (34%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Scion tC get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Scion tC?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 10 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 15 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 16 | 0 | 21 | 2 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 8 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 36 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 53 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 10V035000 · Feb 3, 2010
Defect: 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 REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · Campaign 06V408000 · Oct 27, 2006
Defect: 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 OF TURNING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE "ON" POSITION TO THE "OFF" POSITION.
Consequence: IF THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY, THEY COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE DOOR THAT IS CLOSED WITH A HIGH RATE OF FORCE. UNTIL THE REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A MINIMAL FORCE/SPEED BE USED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS OR CLOSING THE DOORS AFTER 90 SECONDS HAVE ELAPSED FROM TURNING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE "ON" TO THE "OFF" POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SENSORS AND INSTALL A URETHANE PAD IN THE FRONT DOORS, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-866-548-1851.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 06V096000 · Apr 3, 2006
Defect: 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 DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 05V483000 · Oct 18, 2005
Defect: 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.
Consequence: PIECES OF THE WIND DEFLECTOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME AND FALL UPON THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE LAMINATE TO THE WIND DEFLECTOR TO PREVENT PIECES OF GLASS FROM SEPARATING FROM THE WIND DEFLECTOR FRAME. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-866-707-2466.