Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Scion tC owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
-driving s on 101 near calabasis dec 9, 2007 approx. 4:35 pm -approx. 65 MPH approaching 405 in middle lane -sunshade in closed position -moon-roof in ?vent? Position (front lowered; back raised for airflow) -3-4 car lengths between each car (front and back) -without warning or incident, incredibly loud bang sound; like a gunshot -looked up and saw shattered glass through vent slits in closed shade -other cars noticed as well, and backed off -slowed to 45 MPH and exited to nearest exit; went to calabasas Volvo dealership and was helped by sales people. -Volvo of calabasas -- stephen (sales manager) voluntary witness -they applied tape to secure remaining glass and vacuumed shards (a lot) from recessed moonroof area (and track) -entire perimeter of the moon-roof glass had shattered away. -single large chunk (approx. 6x3 inches) in shade; none made it into passenger cabin. …
My daughter was able to purchase her dream car, a Scion tC, a few months ago, and as she was returning home from oc, md, on 18 jul 13, she heard what sounded like a gunshot and saw something fly off her car so pulled over to discover her sunroof had exploded (sunroof was closed as it was hot and she was using ac)...she was 1-1/2 hr away from home. As she tried to locate a vacuum cleaner to clean out the glass inside her car, she realized pieces of glass were breaking loose from her sunroof and flying behind so she pulled over again and literally had to wrap her sunroof in a towel to keep herself and other motorist safe. I contacted the dealership and they would not accept it as being defective...claimed something had to have fallen and hit her sunroof for this to happen. …
I was driving down the freeway going 65 MPH. All of the sudden I heard a really loud gunshot sound and then the middle of the sunroof exploded. All the windows, including the sunroof, were closed. I only had the visor open; when the glass broke, I had glass in my hair and all down my back. When the sunroof broke, the front piece of the sunroof flipped open as well. Looks like some took their fist and hit the sunroof from the inside of the car. The right side of my ear still hurts from the sound of the gun shot sound. My car is currently with the dealership for them to inspect it. When I called the dealership and Scion corp office, they both said they have never heard of this happening on this vehicle. I find this very hard to believe as there are hundreds of postings online stating that this is becoming more and more of an issue. …
I was driving on the highway at approximately 65mph with my sunroof in the slightly lifted position only and all other windows closed. Out of nowhere there was a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot and we saw shattered glass from my sunroof flying out first and then shattering down onto myself, my adult passenger, her 1 year old daughter that was in her car seat in the back as well as on our two small dogs. When we pulled over and got out of the car, we had to shake glass from our clothing and hair as well as carefully remove it from our seats and all over everywhere else and then very carefully remove glass from covering the baby and the our dogs in the back seat. We are all lucky we were not injured from the flying glass. …
The temperature was about 50 degrees and sunny I had just left church services so the car had been sitting out in the parking lot for about 4 hours. I was in the car doing about 40 MPH and I heard a pop-like that of a champagne bottle- and what sounded like sand on the floor. I looked around to make sure a bug or reptile hadn't gotten into my car. I didn't think anything about it. This morning 12/3/2014 temperature around 43 degrees and noticed that my glass wind deflector what shattered around the edges. I've never had any issues with the car and I live in a gated community so I didn't think that it was an act of vandalism. I spent 3 years in alaska and I know what frozen glass could do if exposed to direct extreme heat. This was not the case. …
While driving home on 1-16-09, my sunroof just exploded. I was driving about 45 MPH, with no cars in front of me or behind me when I heard the loud explosion. I got out of the car and looked at my sunroof. All four corners were completely busted out. The middle was completely intact, but shattered throughout with no signs of impact. My sunroof deflector however was in the up position as if I was trying to open the sunroof. But that wasn't the case since it had been raining earlier in the day and it was 44 degrees out side and I was a mile away from home. I have an 100,000 mile warranty on the car and the dealership I took it to said I'm out of my warranty even though I show him my paper work. They said it is inlined with a rubber seal so that it couldn't just shatter. Looking on the internet at several message boards, I have read several complaints about the same issues.
Went to open driver side door when I heard a popping sound. Turned to see the hatchback glass crack and spider with a collapse in the center of the window. Temperature was 57 degrees at 7 pm. Defrost, A/C and heating were not being used at the time. No projectiles or bullets were found inside car. Crack started at top left corner, made its way across the top of the hatch and then crack down into the center of window. No cracks or chips had been noticeable to myself or others. Car was purchased mid August and has been garaged since date of purchase. Have found similar instances on website forums with other Toyota models as well as Scion tC.
Shortly after returning home my 2007 Scion tC sunroof shattered without warning while parked in my driveway. I called a policeman to take a look and discovered there was no sign of impact, only shattered around the edges and the wind deflector was in the up position even though I did not open the sunroof. The center started to bulge upward before cracking and falling into the interior. Car has less than 26,000 miles so I took pictures and took it to the dealer. Dealer would not cover the damage as warranty repair and suggested I go through insurance. Other owners having the same complaint and this safety issue needs to be addressed.
The 2005 and 2006 Scion tC were recalled for a defect in the wind deflector where a piece of debris hit the wind deflector at highway speeds and it would shatter. I just bought a 2007 Scion tC last Tuesday and it did the same exact thing. I was on the freeway and I did not even see anything hit my car but I heard something, and then there was glass coming into my car through the sunroof. I have contacted Scion and they had said my car is not included in the recall and to take it into the dealership. The dealership said it is not a warranted part. I should contact the parts director and he has not called me since.
While driving at highway speeds (65 MPH), I heard a loud "pop" followed by glass raining down around me. I pulled over and examined my car to find the perimeter of the sunroof entirely missing and the interior portion of the sunroof shattered. There were large chunks of glass inside the car along with pieces of metal. The sunroof was open at the time. The temperature was in the low 70s. There were no overpasses nor were there any trucks around me. There was no impact mark on the glass to indicate road debris.
Window & Wiper complaints in other tC years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2007 Scion tC?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2007 Scion tC, 19% of the model year's 117 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Scion tC window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2007 Scion tC, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Scion tC window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.