ScionTC2011Overview/scion/tc/2011/base/

2011 Scion TC

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 TC.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Scion TC is a compact hatchback built on the Toyota platform and powered by a four-cylinder engine requiring 4.7 quarts of oil with a 5W-20 or 0W-20 viscosity rating, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined; this model year falls within a moderate zone of the vehicle's complaint history spanning from 2005 to 2016, where it recorded 29 owner complaints—significantly lower than the peak of 161 complaints in 2006 but considerably higher than the low of just 6 complaints in 2016—with exterior lighting representing the most frequently cited issue and a single recall issued for the model year, suggesting that while the 2011 TC does not represent the model's most problematic iteration, it also does not reflect the significant improvement in reliability that would later characterize the 2016 model.

Model year201620152014201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 575 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. 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 24F · 575 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter17801YZZ06
Spark plug9091901233
Battery2880054020
Front wiper blades8521274010 alt 8522233241
Serpentine belt9091602668 alt 90916A2021
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 163250T030
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713902090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3036 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 30 / 25 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.

6.9–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2011 Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Hatchback 2.5L I-46.90 sec15.40 sec180 hpFWD
2011Hatchback 2.5L I-46.90 sec15.40 sec180 hpFWD
2011Hatchback 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.80 sec180 hpFWD
2014Hatchback 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.60 sec179 hpFWD
2016Hatchback 2.5L I-47.60 sec15.90 sec179 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-20 / 0W-20 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 Capacity2.9
Engine Oil5W-20 · 0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.7 qt
Manual Transmission FluidToyota LV MTF
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.8

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11.7 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts96 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts26 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.73-.86 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.51 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance575 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression142
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
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs / 42 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.006 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.984 in / 0.335 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 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 10,000 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) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel System (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
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 2011 Scion tC sits at the launch of the car’s second generation, and its federal record is notably cleaner than the first-generation years that preceded it: with 29 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations, and 87 TSBs, it carries far fewer complaints than 2005–2009 (which ranged from 60 to 161 complaints and 2–5 recalls) and only slightly more volume than the immediately adjacent 2010 (20 complaints, 2 recalls). Within the 2011–2016 run, 2011 registers the highest complaint count aside from the later 2014–2015 uptick, yet its single recall is the lowest in that span and ties 2013 for fewest recalls. Reported issues cluster in Exterior Lighting (6), Visibility (3), Service Brakes (2), and Power Train (2), with one crash-related and one fire-related complaint; the data does not specify root causes. The arc across the full record shows a steep first-generation decline in complaints, a low-volume second-generation start, and a modest late-cycle rise in complaints and recalls in 2014–2016. For a used buyer, that makes the 2011 tC a comparatively attractive year—its recall exposure is minimal and its complaint volume is well below the model’s peak—provided you verify the lone recall was completed and inspect the lighting, brakes, and powertrain before purchase.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
87
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
29
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 29 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting6
Visibility3
Service Brakes2
Power Train2
Air Bags2
Structure2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18E091000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 20/09/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year… Remedy: Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 87 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S-TT-0117-202020-12-11VisibilityTT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
20R001 Toyota Cu2020-07-15EquipmentDL: Toyota plans to send Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices for the above referenced…
S-SB-0012-14-Rev2017-08-29EquipmentTSB: REVISION NOTICE August 23, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include…
S-SB-0035-13 Rev2016-11-10EquipmentTSB: REVISION NOTICE November 10, 2016 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include…
POL14-122015-06-15EngineTOYOTA 2007-2015 CAMRY,SOLARA, COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, SCION TC, XB: REVISED 5/19/…

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 2011 TC take?

4.7 qt of 5W-20 OR 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 TC have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the TC get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.