Most common 2006 Scion tC problems
Share of the 161 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Scion tC complaints by model year
Best tC years: 2016, 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Compare all years →
2006 Scion tC recalls (5)
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 requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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 sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
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. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010.
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 of turning the ignition key from the "on" 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
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.
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
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Scion tC:
Glass moonroof shatters
Odi's investigation discloses that the subject vehicles sustain moonroof shattering and/or damage at rates comparable to those for most other similarly equipped vehicles.this review also discloses that such incidents occur in most vehicles with moonroofs and that while tempered glass panels commonly used in moonroof fabrication are shatter-resistant, some catastrophic failures do in fact occur.impact with small…
What 2006 Scion tC owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 42 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Scion tC. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the glass wind deflector shattered. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the glass window reflector shattered and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 05V483000 (visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 157,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Scion tC. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the sun roof suddenly exploded causing glass to fall onto the head of the driver. No injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V483000 (visibility). The failure mileage was 96,000.
Body & structure all 28 →
Our Toyota 2006 Scion tC was involved in a head on collision when it was pulling out slowing on a main road and the other truck involved was probably traveling close to 45mph, the car was totaled but not one air bag worked. This car was purchased because it had a high safety rating, however it is just lucky the driver and passenger were not seriously hurt. Had the car not been totaled we would have insisted it be totaled, would never purchase another Toyota again.
Tl* - the contact had a 2006 Scion tC. The contact stated that his vehicle had been deemed a "lemon" by Scion corporate. The vehicle was deemed a lemon because of rattling sounds coming from the hatchback for which 3 unsuccessful attempts were made to repair. Other failures included: the transmission wouldn't engage when you put the car in reverse gear, the rear bumper was cracked, and the tires screeched. The contact was in an accident on 11/25/2006 at 3:30 am, on 110 expressway in los angeles. The contact was driving 60 MPH. Neither the weather nor the road conditions were a factor in the crash. During a turn, the tires weren't gripping the road well. The vehicle veered to the right and he applied brakes to slow car down. The consumer overcorrection to the left and proceeded into a ditch. The vehicle spun around and another vehicle hit him on the passenger side. …
Air bags all 24 →
Our Toyota 2006 Scion tC was involved in a head on collision when it was pulling out slowing on a main road and the other truck involved was probably traveling close to 45mph, the car was totaled but not one air bag worked. This car was purchased because it had a high safety rating, however it is just lucky the driver and passenger were not seriously hurt. Had the car not been totaled we would have insisted it be totaled, would never purchase another Toyota again.
I was in a car accident I was the passenger .we were on car accident we rolled several times in the airbags never come off. I'm a quadriplegic I broked c6. I flew out off the sun roof.the car was on motion on a stree. I was found 62 feet from the car
2006 Scion tC engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Scion tC a good car?
Based on 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 tC rates avoid: 5.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the tC at the same age. It is one of the tC years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Scion tC?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 42 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about sun/moon roof assembly. Next are the body & structure (28) and air bags (24).
How many recalls does the 2006 Scion tC have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2006 Scion tC, the most recent from February 3, 2010 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Scion tC?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. See the full Scion tC years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Scion tC problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 63,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.