ScionTC2006Overview/scion/tc/2006/base/

2006 Scion TC

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 TC.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2006 Scion tC carried a four-speed automatic transmission, EPA fuel-economy estimates of 20/27/23 mpg, and a service fill of 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. Against the full 2005–2016 model timeline, this year sits at the top of the complaint range with 161 owner-reported issues—well above the line’s low of six in 2016—alongside five recalls and visibility standing as the leading concern area. That concentration of feedback makes the 2006 model the defining reference point for researchers tracking the nameplate’s reliability history.

Model year201620152014201320122011201020092006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 575 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZF1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 575 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire size215-45ZR17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZF1
Engine air filter17801YZZ03
Fuel filter233000A020
Spark plug9008091180
Battery2880046120
Front wiper blades8521213031 alt 8522247020
Serpentine belt9091602600 alt 9091602601
Thermostat9091603136 alt 90916A3003
Cabin air filter885685201083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the TC of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.4–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2005 Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2005Hatchback 2.4L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec160 hpFWD
2005Hatchback 2.4L I-47.60 sec15.90 sec160 hpFWD
2005Hatchback 2.4L I-48.00 sec15.90 sec160 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.7
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity5.3

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts72 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts22 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts27 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub195 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.81-0.95 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity4.20-5.20 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance575 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Engine Compression145-189 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Oil Pressure4.4 psi @ Idle, 38 psi @ 4000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.007-0.011 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.015-0.019 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 29 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs / 34 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.984 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.984 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.906 in / 0.295 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke Bolts (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Scion tC sits at the peak of the generation's federal complaint curve with 161 filings — the highest of any model year — and ties for the most recalls at five, up from four in 2005 and double the two issued for 2007. Investigations drop from three to one, while TSBs fall from 83 to 66 before surging to 119 in 2007, suggesting a shift from field investigations to dealer-level service actions. Visibility leads 2006 complaints at 36, followed by Structure (19), Air Bags (15), and Engine (11), with 33 crash-related and three fire-related complaints recorded; the data does not specify root causes for these categories. Complaints then decline steadily through the generation, reaching 20 by 2010, while recalls stabilize at one to three annually and investigations disappear entirely after 2006. The 2006 model year carries the heaviest federal burden of the generation, reflecting both the highest owner-reported problem rate and the most manufacturer corrective actions. This is not a good year to buy relative to later models; a 2007 or newer tC offers a markedly cleaner federal record.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
66
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
161
Owner complaints
33 involved a crash · 3 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 161 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility36
Structure19
Air Bags15
Engine11
Unknown Or Other8
Vehicle Speed Control8
Steering7
Engine & Engine Cooling4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V035000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 03/02/2010

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… 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…

10V036000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 03/02/2010

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 66 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S-SB-0015-14 Rev2015-05-26EngineSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU…
S-SB-0015-14 Rev2015-05-26EquipmentSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU…
S-SB-0005-152015-05-13EquipmentSSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose…
S-SB-0005-152015-05-13EquipmentSSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose…
S-SB-0023-11 Rev2015-04-10Electrical SystemSSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific TC. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 TC take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 TC have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the TC get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.