2011 Scion tC

2011 Scion tC

The 2011 Scion tC is a compact hatchback that was offered with two engine and transmission options:

• 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 173 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission
• 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with 160 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission

The tC was praised for its sporty handling and affordable price, but criticized for its cramped interior and lack of features.

Engine

2.5L 4-cylinder Engine

• Intake manifold runner control valve stuck open: Causes the engine to run poorly and stall. Solution: Replace the intake manifold runner control valve. Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $250
• Water pump failure: Can lead to overheating and engine damage. Solution: Replace the water pump. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400

Transmission

6-speed Manual Transmission

• Reverse gear grind: Difficult to engage reverse gear. Solution: Replace the shift fork or synchronizer. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000

6-speed Automatic Transmission

• Transmission slipping: Transmission hesitates or refuses to engage gears. Solution: Replace the transmission fluid and filter, or rebuild or replace the transmission. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,000+
• Torque converter shudder: Vibration felt during acceleration or deceleration. Solution: Replace the torque converter. Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $1,500

Suspension

• Front strut mounts wear out prematurely: Causes clunking or rattling noises over bumps. Solution: Replace the strut mounts. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $300 per side
• Rear sway bar end links fail: Can cause clunking noises or affect handling. Solution: Replace the end links. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200 per side

Electrical

• Battery drain: Battery drains quickly, even when the car is not in use. Solution: Test and replace any faulty electrical components, such as the alternator, starter, or battery. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
• Power window switches fail: Power windows stop working or become intermittent. Solution: Replace the power window switches. Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $150 per switch

Exterior

• Headlight condensation: Condensation builds up inside the headlights. Solution: Replace the headlights. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400 per headlight
• Tail light bulb failure: Tail light bulbs burn out prematurely. Solution: Replace the tail light bulbs. Estimated Cost to Fix: $10 - $20 per bulb

Interior

• Air conditioning compressor failure: Air conditioning stops working. Solution: Replace the air conditioning compressor. Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1,200
• Interior trim rattles: Rattles and squeaks coming from the dashboard or door panels. Solution: Tighten or replace loose trim pieces. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200
• Sunroof leaks: Water leaks into the cabin through the sunroof. Solution: Replace the sunroof seals. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400

Summary

The 2011 Scion tC is a reliable and affordable car, but it is not without its issues. The most common problems reported by owners include engine intake manifold runner control valve failure, water pump failure, transmission slipping, and suspension noise. While some of these issues can be costly to fix, the tC is still a relatively inexpensive car to maintain in the long run.