NHTSA — Engine Problems

2008 Scion tC (Page 1 of 2)

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,935 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Scion tC Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Jan 042019

tC

  • 94,000 miles

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

Engine consumes too much oil. Have to refill the oil in my engine about two times in between oil changes.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #21

Jun 012016

tC

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Scion Tc. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil, even between oil changes. The contact spoke with the manufacturer who stated that there was an unknown safety campaign that expired in June of 2015. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle used in June of 2015 and was not notified of the campaign. The manufacturer stated that the notice was probably mailed to the previous owner. The contact contested that this was not his fault. The manufacturer promised that they would research the matter, but they still would not cover the repairs. When the contact went to have the vehicle's oil changed at an independent mechanic, he was denied service because the valve gasket cover exploded and needed to be repaired immediately. As a result, oil spilled all over the front end of the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Richton Park, IL, USA

problem #20

Aug 302018

tC

  • 172,000 miles
Purchased this car for my teenage daughter 2 months ago. Car runs like a champ. Recently had to add a quart and a half of oil then changed the oil Saturday and yesterday the car was 2 quarts low again. Have seen numerous complaints online about excessive oil use on these vehicles, same year yet Toyota has not issued a recall, why? when reading complaints, apparently it's a common problem, defect, with the 08 Tc in which involves the piston rings. This is a very expensive fix and Toyota should be held accountable for the repairs.

- Patriot, IN, USA

problem #19

Aug 102018

tC

  • 190,000 miles

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

Excessive oil consumption and this is the second engine that has blown in my car. The first problem was when the pistons blew up my engine and now here we go again with the pistons in the second motor. I called Scion customer service and spoke with camille and she basically told me I am stuck with this bad motor that I just had put in on April 7, 2017.

- Ashland, VA, USA

problem #18

Aug 152017

tC

  • 99,000 miles
Excessive engine oil consumption problem. Burns more than two quart of oil in less than 1800 miles.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #17

Sep 262017

tC

  • miles
High consumption of engine oil. I am having to add about a quart every 1000 miles or so. Took to dealer and was told I was 2 weeks past the deadline of 10 years from the date the vehicle went into service. The car is well under the 150,000 miles coverage period at only 90,000 miles. Toyota's position was firm on the 2 week overage period. This just does not seem right. This car's engine could lock up due to lack of oil and cause me to wreck not to mention the unnecessary amount of air pollution this is causing

- Glouster, OH, USA

problem #16

Oct 272017

tC

  • 147,000 miles

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

Rapid oil consumption. Over 4 quarts in <2,000 miles. Problem started around 147,000 odo

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #15

Jun 052017

tC

  • miles
My engine had to be replaced, but instead of getting a Scion they got a corolla engine, so now my car drinks too much gas. The brakes stopped being stop close to on the dime after they fixed the engine, and replaced the tires. When they changed the tires they used impact studs/bolts. Every time I use cruise control it goes faster a little no matter if it's up or down hill. I have to push down to slow it down.

- Youngsville, NC, USA

problem #14

Jan 062017

tC

  • miles
I just went to the dealer and have indicated that my car burns oil 2 to 3X's faster than normal. I was made aware (for the 1st time) of the extended warranty that Toyota issued. However, my car now has 150,737 miles and does not qualify for the warranty work. Here's the document that shows my car no longer qualifies. media.fixed-ops.com/toy_campaigns/ZE7-dlrltr.pdf please help!

- Dublin, CA, USA

problem #13

Jun 102009

tC

  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Scion Tc. Each time the vehicle was driven, the engine would consume oil and overheat. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #12

Aug 262016

tC

  • 130,000 miles

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

Car was tested for the oil consumption test they were doing and it supposedly passed, but then as driving down the highway, the motor completely blew due to the lack of oil. I'd even been adding oil to my car daily.

- West Boylston, MA, USA

problem #11

Aug 222016

tC

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Scion Tc. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #10

Jan 182016

tC

  • 86,000 miles
The first is issue is the oil consumption it consume almost 1Q in 2K which is not what is suppose to be happening. I only had this vehicle for 2 years and the engine blew with no warning no oil light on nothing.

- Burlington, NJ, USA

problem #9

Apr 152015

tC

  • miles
I have an 08' Toyota Scion Tc that is burning oil at an abnormal rate. I brought my car to the Toyota dealership where they topped off my oil and taped the dipstick down and told me to bring it back after I drive it about 1200 miles. I went back to the dealership at 1200 miles and after waiting hours for them to check the oil only for them to come out and tell me everything was okay. I asked them if there was any oil loss and I was told that it's normal for older engines to burn oil. Not in my book, not for any vehicle. I know people who have had their Toyota for more than 15 years and never had that problem. Someone with over 200,00 miles on their Toyota and never had that problem. I don't think having the oil light come on before the next scheduled maintenance is normal. But I'm a 26 year old female so what do I know right? I know that it's not normal. This has become such an inconvenience that all I want is the problem fixed. For them to take apart my engine and replace the [xxx] pistons so I don't have to worry about checking my oil every couple of weeks. Toyota is responsible for this mistake and I would like it fixed if they want me to stay a Toyota customer. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #8

Oct 052015

tC

  • 136,816 miles
My Scion Tc was taken to dch Toyota & Scion of torrance for oil consumption test on Mar 03, 2015 at 129,050 miles and again on May 21, 2015 at 132,611 miles. No action regarding high oil consumption was taken. On Oct 5, 2015 while driving on 110 fwy in la engine suddenly stopped working and car needed to be shift in to neutral in order to roll to the side. This put me in to grate danger since everything stopped working. Car was towed to in to shop where mechanic diagnosed that engine has seized. It had low oil level and aluminum residue in it. His conclusion based on Toyota own admit ion of high oil consumption and fact that car had at the time 136,816 miles and next scheduled oil change suppose to be at 139,387 miles. I had to replace engine and clutch to have car running again. I contacted Toyota for reimbursement according warranty enhancement notification - ZE7. Their response were that I do not meet criteria for reimbursement. My opinion is that they have manufacturing problem with many Scion Tc engines in regard of high oil consumption and that they should be responsible for repair cost. They know about it and they did nothing when I brought car twice for test and repair.

- San Pedro, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 292015

tC

  • 120,965 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion Tc. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive oil loss. After 3,000 miles, the vehicle used approximately 5-7 quarts of oil. The pistons made an abnormal noise and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated that they must perform an oil consumption test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 120,965.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #6

May 142015

tC

  • 119,000 miles
In about January of 2015 I received an extended warranty notice for my 2008 Scion Tc stating this and other vehicles with the same engine maybe experiencing excessive oil consumption. Dealer told me it was fine after keeping it the entire weekend. A year and a half prior I had to take the vehicle to the dealership because about two weeks after they changed my oil the oil light started flickering on and off as if there was no oil in the car on or around May 14, 2015 a about 10:15 pm my 2008 Scion Tc with around 119000 miles cut off while I was merging onto 95/495. I could have had an accident and possibly been injured or died due to this engine. I had the car looked at by my mechanic who then told me my vehicles engine had seized because the engine was taking in too much oil. I then had it towed into the dealership. Upon further investigation I find out Toyota had a multi-billion dollar lawsuit against them for this excessive engine oil consumption problem. Toyota knew about the problem in 2008 and knew the excessive consumption could and would cause engine seizure. In an article issued on April 12, 2014 it states that Toyota/Scion sent out a tsa to it's dealership telling them not to assume responsibility fr this issue.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #5

Aug 132014

tC 4-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
Engine is burning large amounts of oil between scheduled 5000 mile oil changes. The first time this happened was in August 2014. While driving my oil light came on. I stopped and checked the dip stick to find that the engine was completely out of oil. At this time I checked for leaking oil in my garage and was unable to find any. I assumed that possibly the dealership did not put enough oil in the vehicle during the last scheduled oil change. The second time this occurred was on 12/14/14. My oil light came on again while driving and when I pulled over realized I had no oil in my car again. Still no leaking found in my garage. I am sure it had enough oil in it after the last oil change which occurred between the two incidents. After having the oil changed the last time I checked the vehicle to be sure that it had enough after leaving the dealership.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #4

Sep 222014

tC 4-cyl

  • 104,010 miles
Each time I brake, my oil light came on. Went to the lube place, and was almost out of oil. No leaks, but black smut in exhaust pipe. Seem to be burning excessive oil. Researched on internet, and is a recognize problem with Toyota cars. Toyota issued a technical bulletin to its dealership. Defective pistons were used in manufacturing the cars, but there is no recall. Toyota told me it's normal for their cars to burn a quart of oil every 800 to 1,000 miles, to change my oil at 3,000 miles (which I normally do), to check it every 1,200 miles and top off in low. Unacceptable. Why would I buy a brand new car with defective parts" and why should a manufacturer think it's ok to make and sell cars with defective parts? why are they not held responsible for basically stealing from people" the solution is to replace the engine at a cost of around $6,000 (about 25% cost of a new car).

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #3

May 212014

tC 4-cyl

  • 70,775 miles
My vehicle is almost 6 years old. It was brought brand new in June 2008. I've only taken it to an authorized dealerships since purchase for regular maintenance. The miles currently on my car is 70,775 and I was scheduled for my next maintenance check at 71,443 per the dealership maintenance sticker. Prior to this event, there was no indication that anything was wrong with the vehicle. As I was driving down I-95 South in emporia va on 05/21/2014 coming from Washington, DC, I experienced engine failure while going the speed limit of 70 mph. I was able to coast safely to the side of the highway after avoiding multiple cars and trucks that almost crashed into me. My car insurance company was called. I was able to get towed to an approved repair shop through my insurance company. The diagnostic from the repair shop determined I would need a new engine due to "whole in the engine block caused by low oil" of which the least expensive was going to cost $4,000. I call the national Scion center to report what happened. They advised me to take the car to the closest authorized dealer to have their company look at the vehicle which I did. Per the authorized dealerships diagnostic review "the technician found hole in block by cylinder #1, found piston wrist pin in bottom on engine cover, needs new or used engine". when I asked the technician what could have caused this he said the oil levels were very low and that the oil was also very dirty. I called Scion to see what they were going to do about it and I was told nothing would be done because the car was over 60,000 miles. I find this very unsettling since the car was in great condition prior to this occurrence and there was so indication something was wrong. Like I mentioned, I've only always taken my car to an authorized dealership for maintenance services and I wasn't due for another service check for another 668 miles.

- Martinez, GA, USA

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