Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Scion tC owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In about January of 2015 I received an extended warranty notice for my 2008 Scion tC stating this and other vehicles with the same engine maybe experiencing excessive oil consumption. Dealer told me it was fine after keeping it the entire weekend. A year and a half prior I had to take the vehicle to the dealership because about two weeks after they changed my oil the oil light started flickering on and off as if there was no oil in the car on or around May 14, 2015 a about 10:15 pm my 2008 Scion tC with around 119000 miles cut off while I was merging onto 95/495. I could have had an accident and possibly been injured or died due to this engine. I had the car looked at by my mechanic who then told me my vehicles engine had seized because the engine was taking in too much oil. I then had it towed into the dealership. …
My Scion tC was taken to dch Toyota & Scion of torrance for oil consumption test on mar 03, 2015 at 129,050 miles and again on May 21, 2015 at 132,611 miles. No action regarding high oil consumption was taken. On oct 5, 2015 while driving on 110 fwy in la engine suddenly stopped working and car needed to be shift in to neutral in order to roll to the side. This put me in to grate danger since everything stopped working. Car was towed to in to shop where mechanic diagnosed that engine has seized. It had low oil level and aluminum residue in it. His conclusion based on Toyota own admit ion of high oil consumption and fact that car had at the time 136,816 miles and next scheduled oil change suppose to be at 139,387 miles. I had to replace engine and clutch to have car running again. I contacted Toyota for reimbursement according warranty enhancement notification - ze7. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Scion tC. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil, even between oil changes. The contact spoke with the manufacturer who stated that there was an unknown safety campaign that expired in June of 2015. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle used in June of 2015 and was not notified of the campaign. The manufacturer stated that the notice was probably mailed to the previous owner. The contact contested that this was not his fault. The manufacturer promised that they would research the matter, but they still would not cover the repairs. When the contact went to have the vehicle's oil changed at an independent mechanic, he was denied service because the valve gasket cover exploded and needed to be repaired immediately. As a result, oil spilled all over the front end of the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. …
Purchased this car for my teenage daughter 2 months ago. Car runs like a champ. Recently had to add a quart and a half of oil then changed the oil Saturday and yesterday the car was 2 quarts low again. Have seen numerous complaints online about excessive oil use on these vehicles, same year yet Toyota has not issued a recall, why? When reading complaints, apparently it's a common problem, defect, with the 08 tC in which involves the piston rings. This is a very expensive fix and Toyota should be held accountable for the repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion tC. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive oil loss. After 3,000 miles, the vehicle used approximately 5-7 quarts of oil. The pistons made an abnormal noise and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated that they must perform an oil consumption test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 120,965.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Scion tC. Each time the vehicle was driven, the engine would consume oil and overheat. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.
Excessive oil consumption and this is the second engine that has blown in my car. The first problem was when the pistons blew up my engine and now here we go again with the pistons in the second motor. I called Scion customer service and spoke with camille and she basically told me I am stuck with this bad motor that I just had put in on April 7, 2017.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Scion tC. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.
Car was tested for the oil consumption test they were doing and it supposedly passed, but then as driving down the highway, the motor completely blew due to the lack of oil. I'd even been adding oil to my car daily.
The first is issue is the oil consumption it consume almost 1q in 2K which is not what is suppose to be happening. I only had this vehicle for 2 years and the engine blew with no warning no oil light on nothing.
Engine complaints in other tC years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Scion tC?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Scion tC, 29% of the model year's 86 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Scion tC engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Scion tC, though it has 3 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 2008 Scion tC engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 113,000 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.