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Scion · Compact Hatchback

2016 Scion tC

Gas

Compact Cars
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-11-04

Safety Signal

94 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns 2

Complaints1 crash · 4 injured reported 6

Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 26 mpg

2016

The 2016 Scion tC is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact hatchback with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the tC, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 6 complaints, most often about the structure.

2016 Scion tC

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
tC	Gas	FWD	2.5L 4-cyl	23	30	26	$2,600
tC	Gas	FWD	2.5L 4-cyl	23	30	26	$2,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36571, 36572.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates

Configuration	Smog rating	Emission standard	Where it can be sold new	SmartWay
tC	5–6 / 10	Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEV	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body style	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Doors	3
GVWR class	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders	4
Displacement	2.5 L
Engine configuration	In-Line

Fuel Economy

Fuel	Gasoline

Transmission

Drivetrain

4x2

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes one configuration rather than every trim (seen: AGT20L). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada

Length	176.8 in
Width (body, without mirrors)	70.9 in
Height	55.9 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Track, front	60.6 in
Track, rear	61.4 in
Curb weight	3,036 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear	63/37

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: 2 Dr Hatchback. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database

○minor

Equipment

SET-16C

4,253 vehicles 97% reported repaired built May 6, 2014 – May 13, 2016

Problem Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars." Risk An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF

NHTSA campaign 16V420000 reported Jun 9, 2016 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

○minor

Tires

SET16A

94 vehicles 61% reported repaired built Jan 28, 2016 – Mar 14, 2016

Problem Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars." Risk An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF

NHTSA campaign 16V236000 reported Apr 22, 2016 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above.

Whether any of this applies to one specific tC

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Type the VIN and the WhichTrim recall report sets aside the campaigns that name a different engine or drive, and narrows the rest to its build month.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Scion tC, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

6complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2025: 1

Most-cited components

Unspecified 3

Structure 1

Service Brakes 1

Seat Belts 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact owns a 2016 Scion TC. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side seat belt retractor failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed front driver's side seat belt retractor.

Seat Belts at 143,000 miles Apr 3, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11652610

I have a recall on my brakes. I took it to toyota in newnan ga. they said it would be a few hours and I asked for a rental because it was my only day off and I have 3 kids and errands to run. They then proceded to tell me I dont have a recall. They lied to get out of letting me use a rental or another car.

Service Brakes Apr 15, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11460832

Stopped at a red light and was rear ended. Collision repair shop noted there was unibody/frame damage but was not totaled out. Now we cannot trade in vehicle because the damage is showing up on the carfax and nobody wants to touch it.

Structure at 30,000 miles Jan 28, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11065543

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 37

Most recentmanufacturer date 2020-12-11

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 37 service bulletins

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Structure, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, Engine.

S-TT-0117-20 Service bulletin
2020-12-11 · Visibility — Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — Engine Coolant Hoses And Fittings
TT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
20R001 Toyota Cu Service bulletin
2020-07-15 · Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
DL: Toyota plans to send Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices for the above referenced campaigns to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
S-TT-0115-18 Service bulletin
2018-02-21 · Equipment — Electrical — Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
TSB: Some vehicles may display a 22-digit request code when attempting to perform a navigation map update.
S-TT-0116-19 Service bulletin
2018-01-03 · Equipment
TT: In certain cases of leaking air conditioning systems, the root cause of the leak is inadvertently overlooked, causing a repeat repair. To improve customer satisfaction and repair A/C system leaks in one dealer visit, Toyota has developed a set of guidelines for evaluating A/C system components.
S-SB-0012-14-Rev Service bulletin
2017-08-29 · Equipment — Appliance — Air Conditioner
TSB: REVISION NOTICE August 23, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2015 model year xB vehicles, 2015 ? 2016 model year tC vehicles, and 2016 model year iM vehicles. ? The Parts Information section has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Introduction. Some vehicles in particular geographic areas may exhibit a condition where the HVAC
S-TT-0109-17 Service bulletin
2017-04-25 · Equipment — Appliance — Air Conditioner
TT: During previous air conditioning service, leakage prevention agent (A/C stop leak) may have been added to the A/C system. Adding stop leak products to the A/C system is not a recommended or approved Scion repair process. During A/C service, moisture enters the A/C system, and can react with the previously added A/C stop leak, forming a gelatinous substance. The gel substance that forms can cau
S-SB-0035-13 Rev Service bulletin
2016-11-10 · Equipment — Appliance — Air Conditioner
TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 10, 2016 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2015 model year xB vehicles, 2016 model year iM vehicles, and 2015 ? 2016 tC vehicles. ? The Parts Information section has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Some 2008 ? 2016 model year Scion vehicles may exhibit odors naturally occurring from the HVAC system
S-SB-0015-15 Rev Service bulletin
2016-05-12 · Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
TSB: Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying your dealership?s new car customers. Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: Careful inspection for paint chips/scratches and body dents/dings; Proper operation of electrical accessories (including interior light, clock, and radio reset); Interior cleanliness; Proper function o

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Common questions about the 2016 tC

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Scion tC have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Scion tC. The most serious on file is 16V420000, covering Equipment. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Scion tC?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2016 Scion tC yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it A (94/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Scion tC?

Across the 2 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Scion tC, the best EPA combined figure is 26 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Scion tC?

Transport Canada measured it at 176.8 in long, 70.9 in wide (body, without mirrors), 55.9 in tall, on a 106.3 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,036 lb. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Scion tC?

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Scion tC, most often about unspecified, structure, service brakes. Of those, 1 involved a crash, 4 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Scion tC?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Scion tC runs 5 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 5, LEV-II ULEV — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Scion tC?

The manufacturer has filed 37 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Scion tC, most often covering equipment, electrical system, structure. The most recent is dated 2020-12-11. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	2 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	2 configurations	EPA emission certificates	Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls	2	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	6	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	none	NHTSA NCAP	NHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins	37	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	none	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	No defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	8 fields	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions	7 fields	Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications	Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipment	none	Manufacturer press kit	We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-11-04. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API

2016 Scion tC

Specs & fuel economy

Emissions & certification

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Dimensions Exterior

Engine Basics

Fuel Economy

Transmission

Dimensions & weight

Factory warranty running out?

Recalls (2)

Equipment

Tires

Whether any of this applies to one specific tC

Hear about a recall before the letter does

Parts & accessories for the 2016 Scion tC

Owner complaints

Most-cited components

In owners' own words

Crash ratings

Service bulletins & campaigns

Common questions about the 2016 tC

Does the 2016 Scion tC have any recalls?

How safe is the 2016 Scion tC?

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Scion tC?

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Scion tC?

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Scion tC?

How clean is the 2016 Scion tC?

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Scion tC?

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Where to go next

Sources & method