2015 Scion tC Problems & Complaints

Average18% fewer complaints than a typical year of the tC at the same age

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2015 Scion tC with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the tC at the same age. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain (6 complaints, typically around 19,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

22complaints
2recalls
4crashes
0fires
3injuries
0deaths

Most common 2015 Scion tC problems

  • Transmission & drivetrain~19,000 miles
    627%
  • Air bags~13,000 miles
    523%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~43,000 miles
    523%
  • Brakes~39,000 miles
    29%
  • Other / not specified~38,000 miles
    29%
  • Body & structure~38,000 miles
    29%
  • Electrical system~34,000 miles
    29%
  • Speed control & acceleration~34,000 miles
    15%
  • Suspension
    15%
  • Lights
    15%

Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Scion tC complaints by model year

200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016155161117866020298920226
Owner complaints per model year, Scion tC. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best tC years: 2016, 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Compare all years →

2015 Scion tC recalls (2)

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 16V-420 · Jun 9, 2016 · 4,253 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 15V-228 · Apr 17, 2015 · 114 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Scion tC vehicles manufactured December 3, 2014, to January 30, 2015 and equipped with accessory coil springs as part of an optional Release Series 9 trim package.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bolts, nuts, rear suspension arms, and rear suspension member sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015.

What 2015 Scion tC owners say

Transmission & drivetrain

Whining noise is heard when the clutch petal is released. Noise is coming from the input shaft bearing. Common failure on this model. Mechanic confirmed that is the issue. If the bearing completely fails could leave the car stranded and cause more damage to other transmission components. No warning lights but noise is very loud.

Nov 2022

My 2015 Scion tC automatic has rough shift points, rough idle at stop signs. The Scion frs has the same issues and Toyota issues a TSB for shift enhancement that fixed their transmission rough shifts and rough idle. I'm hoping that Scion or Toyota are listening and we need this fix too! Resetting the computers by disconnecting the battery fixes the issue temporarily, since this is a 'learning' transmission, it always seems to default and starts to shift rough, shift too often or back to back even in city driving. It's gear hunting and I'm so sick of it. Toyota said they can't find anything wrong, I did a transmission drain and fill with Toyota thinking it would fix the issue and it never did. It's the ECU or TCM, we need the update just like you guys did for the frs and you fixed those issues! So please fix ours! These rough shifts are annoying. …

17,000 miles · Dec 2019

Air bags

The contact owns a 2015 Scion TC. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained continuously illuminated while operating the vehicle. The contact stated that when the air bag warning light was illuminated, the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. However, an independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure might be associated with an inoperable clockspring. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette · 130,000 miles · Feb 2026

I was driving on the freeway on Monday dec 28 heading to work it was raining hard and was driving at the same speed as everyone else in the freeway out of nowhere my steering took over control and I spinned around hitting the carpool lane divider and was tossed to the 4th lane afterwards. At that moment I was in front of a semi truck and couldn't brake in time and hit me sending me back to the carpool lane any time of those hits my air bags never turned on.

56,000 miles · Dec 2020 · crash

Windows, wipers & sunroof

Over the past 4-5 years, 2015 scion tc has had numerous electrical issues. Both driver and passenger electric door locks do not work. Head and tail lamp lights burn out frequently. Seems like a grounding issue? Car failed to start August 2021 due to electrical problems. 3rd party mechanic fixed the issue. Toyota Dealer-installed automatic start fails multiple times before starting car. Basic electrical mechanisms for a car made in 2015 should not be broken/failing. 2019 Air Conditioner wouldn't drain. Had to investigate and personally drain the tubes behind the passenger and driver side-pannels behind center counsel. The entire draining system for the cars air conditioner had clogged. 2015 Exterior Vinyl Pillars on sides of windshield started to fade. Brought it to Westbury Toyota and they said the sun caused it. I didn't even have the car for 6 months yet....

Aug 2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Scion tC. The contact stated that while parked and seated in the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal sound like a shattered glass. The contact exited the vehicle and became aware that the center sun roof glass had shattered. The contact stated that the sun roof had shattered without impact or incidence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Sun/moon roof assembly · 85,000 miles · Apr 2021

2015 Scion tC engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automaticFWD23 / 30 / 26
2.5L 4-cyl6-speed manualFWD23 / 30 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Scion tC a good car?

Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 tC rates average: 18% fewer complaints than a typical year of the tC at the same age. 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 2015 Scion tC?

The transmission & drivetrain — 6 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (5) and windows, wipers & sunroof (5).

How many recalls does the 2015 Scion tC have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2015 Scion tC, the most recent from June 9, 2016 (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 2015 Scion tC problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 34,000 miles; 79% 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.