Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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.
My son was in a wreck over a week ago. He lost control and ran into the side of a brick house. Both airbags did not deploy. I would assume any impact such as these the air bags would have deployed but they did not. I have pictures attached.
My daughter and son were in an accident as a passenger in a Scion tC 2009 and the car rolled multiple times and both the front and back passenger seat belts unlatched and the passenger curtain airbag did not deploy or inflate. With these defects, my daughters legs were trapped under the car and sustained traumatic bone damage in which her prognosis at this time is unknown. Her left ankle, the talus, fibula, and tibia were crushed. Currently she had an ex fix on her left leg and two plates and pins placed on her fibula, the physicians say she will never walk the same and she currently is unable to bear any weight on either foot due to the fracutes sustained from her being ejected from the car because of the seatbelt release and the failure of deployment of the side curtain air bag.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Scion tC. While driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest, neck, and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
This vehicle was just involved in an accident, rear-ending the car in front, the front end of the vehicle is demolished, the radiator and everything crushed and slammed back, fluids leaking from everything, even buckled the passenger door, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle in front of this vehicle's airbags deployed. The police officers on the scene could not understand why they did not deploy.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Scion tC. While driving 25 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent facility. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.
Takata recall... As I was driving speed limit (60-65mph) on the freeway at around 11:30 pm (10/21/16), driving on the 2nd lane. There was some debris on the road as I hit a pot hole my rear passenger tire pops. I instantly lose control as I see the semi-truck in the 3rd lane (truck lane). I tried to avoid the truck but the car took me into that direction. As my car slightly went under the truck, the trucks rear passenger tires Ram over the top of the passenger side of the hood and my air bags never deployed. As I was under the truck I somehow get out of it and spin out until the car is complete stopped. When completely stopped, I am facing traffic coming towards my direction. Since the airbags didn't deploy it was an unsafe situation. Safety is everybody concerns and at the time my life could've been at risk. …
Related recalls (2)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Scion tC years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (24), 2005 (20), 2008 (10), 2009 (9) and 2007 (8) model years. Airbag complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Scion tC airbag problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 06V-408 (side/window, Oct 26, 2006); 06V-096 (air bags, Apr 3, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Scion tC airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (11 mentions), followed by the side/window (5).
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.