- The problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.
- The risk
- Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.
Vehicle safety record
2013 Scion TC Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2013 Scion TC with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (3) and the transmission & drivetrain (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes and 3 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in September 2018 for the service brakes, hydraulic. For comparison, the 2012 has 8 and the 2014 has 20.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical TC year, for its age
#232 most complained-about 2013 vehicle
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2013 Scion TC problems
Share of all 9 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2013 Scion TC recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
9 complaints about the 2013 Scion TC
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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.
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.
DID NOT GET NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE.
I was turning into a busy shopping center at 5ish pm and the sun was directly in my eyes and I swerved to avoid a collision with another motorist who was in the middle of the exiting /entrance lane and I ran head on into a solid cement pillar light pole , estimated mph was 20 -25 mph , I was wearing seatbelt and none of the front airbags deployed and I have broke ribs and possible fractured sternum, I hit my head on windshield and cracked windshield and had a knot the size of a baseball , I'm seeing a doctor...
Read the full complaint
tomorrow to determine exact extent of injuries but photos of my car will show the force of impact and no airbags deployed , these photos were take by a authorized gm dealers collision repair shop
Vehicle has 66444 miles and throw out bearing / input shaft is making noise
Secondary sunroof exploded while driving down the highway at 70mph. Random explosion that sounded like a gun shot. Sunny and 45 degree weather in central ohio
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.
A few days ago, we were driving when our sun roof exploded. We heard the loudest bang I have heard and then glass started falling through the edges of the sun shade that was closed. Had it not been for the sun shade, I am sure we would have been showered with glass shards, and there is no doubt that we would have wrecked the car. When we pulled over the moon roof was obviously blown outward, which I have pictures of. After a brief research I found that this issue was a common one. When my wife called toyota the...
Read the full complaint
first guy said he had seen this before, but toyota would not cover it under the extra bump to bumper warranty, we bought. Toyota referred me to the toll free number (1-800-331-4331) to lodge a complaint and see if they could do anything. Toyota gave me a case number (1507133039) and said someone from customer relations would be calling me back. The guy that called me back was dennis king from the toyota dealership in riverdale, utah where we first called, and he said he couldn't do anything that it would have to be toyota that authorizes any repair. I have included just a few of the web links that discuss the issue of exploding moon roofs. Http://www.Wjla.Com/articles/2014/07/7-on-your-side-exploding-sunroofs-are-more-common-than-you-might-think-105226.Html . Http://www.Usglassmag.Com/agrr/backissues/2013/januaryfebruary/playingsherlock__feature.Htm http://www.Nbcnewyork.Com/news/local/shattered-glass-sunroof--293692881.Html
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.
Scion TC: every year compared
All TC years2013 Scion TC vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Scion TC | 9 | 1 | B | |
| 2013 Scion FR-S | 180 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2013 Scion XB | 14 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2013 Scion IQ | 5 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2013 Scion XD | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2013 Scion TC
Does the 2013 Scion TC have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2013 Scion TC: service brakes, hydraulic (September 2018). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Scion TC?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (3), transmission & drivetrain (3), visibility & wipers (2).
How many complaints has the 2013 Scion TC had?
9 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 7, 2012 and the latest on July 11, 2025. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2013 Scion TC a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 72 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Scion TC year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Scion TC years have the most complaints?
2005 (155), 2007 (117), 2008 (86). See every Scion TC year compared.
What should I do if my 2013 Scion TC has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data