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2008 Scion TC problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Scion TC is engine and cooling, typically around 113,000 miles. It has 3.0 times the complaints of a typical TC model year.

Year to avoid3.0x the typical complaints
Year score
35/100
Owner complaints
86
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
125
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
23-24mpg

The worst 2008 Scion TC problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    25
  • Body
    22
  • Airbags
    10
  • Visibility
    6
  • Acceleration
    5
  • Brakes
    5
  • Electrical
    4
  • Locks
    4
  • Suspension
    4
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Wheels
    3
  • Tires
    2
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Seat belts
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Scion TC

Oil consumption 18Engine failure 8No deployment 6Sunroof shattered 5

Recalls 3

Equipment: other: labelsReported February 3, 2010 · 271,417 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Risk
This does not meet the standard requirements.
Remedy
Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713‑580‑3300.

Recall number 10V035000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported February 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Risk
A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1‑800‑301‑6859.

Recall number 10V036000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported June 15, 2009 · 27,080 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from september 1, 2005 to may 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Risk
Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge. The safety recall began on august 18, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑888‑270‑9371.

Recall number 09V223000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2008 Scion TC

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Scion TC 125

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 125 bulletins for the 2008 Scion TC

2008 Scion TC fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD20-2127-2923-24

What 2008 Scion TC owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 19, 2025 · Engine · OH

Burning oil bad

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · 155,000 miles · CA

Sunroof / moonroof explosion. Driving 50 MPH on freeway and what sounded like a gun shot was my moonroof exploding. Nothing hit the vehicle, it just exploded on its own.

Filed Jun 4, 2019 · Engine · 94,000 miles · NY

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

Filed Mar 26, 2019 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · CA

2008 - scion - toyota - burning oil, burning a quart of oil in less than every 800 miles. Car is up to date with all maintenance. Mechanic referred us to dealership. Toyota issued a tsb - 'some 2006 ' 2011 model year vehicles equipped with the 2az-fe engine may exhibit engine oil consumption. The piston assembly has been changed to minimize oil consumption.' and that 'p030# (cylinder # misfire detected) dtc may also be set as a result of oil consumption.' however dealership refuses to even test or repair the vehicle. Saying we only had until aug 2017. We were never notified of such issues, no letters or anything were sent to us. Car has always been registered and our owner info has always been available to toyota. So now we are stuck with defective vehicle.

Filed Feb 15, 2019 · Engine · 87,000 miles · IL

Tl* 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.

Filed Dec 28, 2018 · Suspension, Wheels · 101,000 miles · CA

Takata recall. My front tires wearing fast. When I took to dealer for service & alignment, I was informed that my car has a row bar that is rusted and frozen and I will need to replace it ($2,000 estimated). When I drive it in the rain, the car flails all over the lane. I had to stop and let cars pass me, I could only drive at low speeds and I had to pull over 4 times before getting home safely. I felt like I was going to drive off the road. Very scared and dangerous. I can't drive my car on wet roads. Also, I'm having to buy new tires every 20,000 miles it seems and I've regularly had them rotated. Last time they said they couldn't rotate them because the rod was frozen and it's only the tc model that has this particular rod.

Filed Aug 31, 2018 · Engine · 172,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Engine · 190,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Apr 13, 2018 · Engine · 99,000 miles · CA

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

Filed Feb 24, 2018 · Airbags · 135,000 miles · WA · crash

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.

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Questions about the 2008 Scion TC

Is the 2008 Scion TC reliable?

Owners have filed 86 complaints about the 2008 Scion TC, 3.0 times a typical TC model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2008 Scion TC year score?

The 2008 Scion TC scores 35 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Scion TC: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Scion TC?

Engine and cooling, with 25 complaints, typically around 113,000 miles. Next is body (22).

How many recalls does the 2008 Scion TC have?

3 recalls, covering equipment.

What year does the Scion TC have bad engine?

The Scion TC model years with the most engine complaints are 2007 (35 complaints), 2008 (25 complaints) and 2006 (22 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Scion TC get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Scion TC range from 23 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 27-29 highway.

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