NHTSA — Structure Problems

2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,750 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Scion tC body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Scion tC:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Scion tC Owner Comments

problem #4

Jan 312013

tC

  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Truck latch, and facing broke right off in hand, very poor quality.

- Logan, OH, USA

problem #3

Feb 242013

tC 4-cyl

  • 46,000 miles
On February 24, 2013, I was opening my trunk like normal and the entire plastic piece snapped in half and dangled from the back of my car via the wiring that powers the lights above the license plate. Basically, the hydraulics that is supposed to open the trunk is worthless and doesn't even pick up the weight of the trunk until it is two-thirds of the way open. I rarely use my trunk because I usually just toss everything into the back seat. I would say that after owning my car for almost five years, I've maybe opened the trunk 50 times, if that. Toyota issued a service bulletin stating they know that the piece has extreme potential to break but refuses to issue a recall on the piece. For the thousands of Scion users outside their warranty period, we are faced with the cost of ensuring the safety of ourselves and fellow drivers because of a poorly manufactured, plastic garnish designed by Toyota as a means to enter the trunk. My piece is currently duct taped back together and covers the brake lights above the piece. Other owners face the issue of the lights above their license plate not working which makes them in violation of traffic laws that required an illuminated license plate. A Toyota service bulletin states that the part needs to be replaced with an "improved garnish" as detailed in service bulletin S-sb-0001-10 dated January 6, 2010. As of January 6, 2010, I was still in my warranty period with Scion and could have had the piece replaced without the hassle of going back and forth with Scion customer service. If Toyota issued a service bulletin for the piece, they must realize the shoddy engineering of the garnish. Moreover, I firmly believe that Scion and Toyota should recall the trunk garnish in order to ensure that Scion owners across the United States won't be faced with the same headache and potential dangers.

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #2

Mar 312012

tC 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
During the normal course of opening the rear hatch, the entire panel snapped off due to plastic clips that have become brittle. I have attempted to fix it but no fix seems to be permanent and, through additional research, I have seen that this is a common issue with most Tcs and is clearly a design flaw. In order to replace the hatch release, the cost is upwards of $350. The handle just broke again today. With the number of issues surrounding this part, there should be a recall by Toyota/Scion as they are responsible for the inadequate hatch release parts.

- Reading, MA, USA

problem #1

Apr 152012

tC

  • 54,000 miles
Hello I went to my car to get my grocery out of the trunk and when I went to open the truck the hatch handle clips broke I contacted Scion they said there aren't any complaints and because I hadn't had my car service at Scion dealership I wasn't showing brand loyalty so they can't help me, with this part being broken their isn't a way to get into the trunk.

- Beachwood, NJ, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

Not what you are looking for?