Most common 2013 Scion tC problems
Share of the 9 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 →
What 2013 Scion tC owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Scion tC. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle's engine just cut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but could only shift into the first gear and slowly pull over into a parking lot. There was no acceleration with the vehicle moving only about 10 MPH with the vehicle's manual transmission. The vehicle was able to be driven to a nearby relative's house at about 15 MPH. The contact had spoken to an independent mechanic and was told the issue was most likely was with the transmission. The dealer or manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The vehicle was unrepaired. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota sion tC. The contact stated that when using reverse or first gear, the vehicle would emit an abnormal whining sound. The contact spoke to the manufacturer about the problem and was told that the sound was a normal occurrence of the vehicle. The manufacturer provided no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,500.
Brakes
UNKNOWN. I was unaware of my car's recall notice. I had known only when my car's regular smog check was due. The problem that my car may have had not been confirmed by dealer or independent service center nor has it been inspected by manufacturer, police, or others. There are also no warning lamps or messages of the problem. However, there are symptoms like pushing the brakes when driving my car and it squeaks. I had installed new brake pads over 2 years ago. I don't know why it continues to squeak when I am pushing the brakes.
Break failure LED to accident in which the airbags did not deploy. Officer on the scene informed the when the vehicles crunch zone is enabled that airbags should deploy to avoid injuries of any passenger or driver. When applying the brakes, the pedal vibrated vigorously thus not slowing the vehicle down to avoid a collision.
2013 Scion tC engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Scion tC a good car?
Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 tC rates better than average: 64% fewer complaints than a typical year of the tC at the same age. It is one of the best tC years by this measure. 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 2013 Scion tC?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (3) and windows, wipers & sunroof (2).
How many recalls does the 2013 Scion tC have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2013 Scion tC. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2013 Scion tC problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 43% 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.