Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Scion tC, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 37 | 24% |
| Structure | 17 | 11% |
| Air bags | 14 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 5% |
| Engine | 7 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 4% |
| Tires | 5 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3% |
| Visibility | 4 | 3% |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Never had a problem with car before went on freeway to get up to speed n the speedometer was dropping so I pull to side of freeway shut car off turn car back on here clunk clunk shut car off no check engine light was on
NHTSA complaint: Engine
1. I believe my airbags deployed pre-maturely with a soft impact to another vehicle. There was no damage to the other vehicle and no police report needed to be filed. There is a minor damage to my front bumper. 2. T
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HER VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED IN AND
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TAKATA RECALL?? AIRBAGS FAILED, DURING ACCIDENT. AFTER BEING CUTOFF AND GOING DOWN ROUTE X. LOST CONTROL HIDING CONCRETE. CAR FLIPPED, WAS DRAGGED A FEW FEET'S - NO AIRBAGS. PASSENGER STILL HAS ANXIETY WHEN GETTING IN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I PURCHASED A RED 2005 SCION TC FOR MY DAUGHTER IN FEBRUARY, 2019 FROM TOYOTA AUTO NATION IN DAVIE, FL. THEY HAD IT PRICED IN GOOD CONDITION, SO I EXPECTED TO GET SOME USE OUT OF IT. I PAID ALMOST $6,000. MONTH LATER I
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SCION TC. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STICKING. THE DRIVER HAD TO PULL THE CLUTCH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE CAR BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND ONLY HAS 163000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SCION TC. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED A FLICKERING LIGHT AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE CONSOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSOLE AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WERE MELTED. THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Scion tC. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 CAPA
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: 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 RECAL
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDIT
Risk: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS MAY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR IF THE DOOR FOR THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CLOSED WITH A HIGH RATE OF FORCE WHILE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION IS IN THE "ON" POSITION OR WITHIN 90 SECONDS OF TURNING THE IGNITIO
Risk: IF THE SIDE IMPACT SEAT-BOLSTER AND CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY, THEY COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE DOOR THAT IS CLOSED WITH
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SENSORS AND INSTALL A URETHANE PAD IN THE FRONT DOORS, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A GLASS WIND DEFLECTOR, THE DEFLECTOR, IF IMPACTED BY A PROJECTILE, SUCH AS ROAD DEBRIS, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WIND DEFLECTOR IN THE UPWARD-TILTED POSITION AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, MAY SHATTER AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.
Risk: PIECES OF THE WIND DEFLECTOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME AND FALL UPON THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE LAMINATE TO THE WIND DEFLECTOR TO PREVENT PIECES OF GLASS FROM SEPARATING FROM THE WIND DEFLECTOR FRAME. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYO
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 37 of them (24%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.