2012 Scion Tc: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Scion Tc: 1 recall, 8 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #13V123000 · 2013 · 7,525 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which May result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
The fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #18E091000 · 2018 · 544 vehicles
What's wrong: Over time, the brake hoses in these kits May fatigue and fail.
Why it matters: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility/Wiper (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 Scion Tc has 8 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 12 Tc model years for complaints (well below the 58 average). Complaints peaked in 2020 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 44,943 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (29 complaints, 0 recalls), 2013 (9 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Scion Tc.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Scion Tc have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2012 Scion Tc, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Scion Tc problems?
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (3), other / unknown (3), visibility/wiper (2).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Scion Tc get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Scion Tc repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.