2013 Toyota Scion problems

General information about Toyota-Scion
Overview of popular issues

Scion was a marque of Toyota that debuted in 2003 and was available only in the United States and Canada. The marque was intended to appeal to younger customers, the Scion brand emphasized inexpensive, stylish, and distinctive sport compact vehicles, and used a simplified "pure price" sales concept that eschewed traditional trim levels and dealer haggling; each vehicle was offered in a single trim with a non-negotiable base price, while a range of dealer-installed options was offered to buyers for personalizing their vehicles. The Scion name, meaning the descendant of a family or heir, refers both to the brand's cars and their owners. In an effort to target millennials, Scion primarily relied on guerrilla and viral marketing techniques.

The brand first soft launched in the United States at selected Toyota dealers in the state of California in June 2003, before expanding nationwide by February 2004. Sales peaked in 2006 with 173,034 units sold. In 2010, Scion expanded into Canada. However, Toyota's initial propositions of short product cycles and aggressive pricing based on low dealer margins became increasingly unsustainable as sales fell after the financial crisis of 2007–2008. Toyota abolished the Scion brand at the start of the 2017 model year in August 2016; the vehicles were either rebranded as Toyotas or discontinued.

History

In 1999, Toyota launched Project Genesis, an effort to bring younger buyers to the Toyota marque in the United States. This project aimed to create a "marque within a marque" in sales and advertising strategy for compact and coupe models sold by Toyota. The effort, which included the introduction of the Toyota Echo economy car, along with late generation Toyota MR-2 and Toyota Celica models, was judged unsuccessful and cancelled in 2001. In response, Toyota chose to launch a separate marque, an effort called Project Exodus. A Los Angeles-based digital design company, Fresh Machine, was retained by Toyota to develop the brand, logo, and website. This project became known as Scion. Toyota had previously participated in a project in Japan with other Japanese companies who attempted to market products to younger buyers. Toyota manufactured three vehicles under the WiLL brandname, which were exclusive to Toyota Netz Store Japanese dealerships.

Scion was marketed as a youth brand and was first introduced in March 2002, at the New York Auto Show. There were just two concept vehicles, the bbX (which became the xB), and the ccX (which became the tC). The 2004 xA and xB were unveiled at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show on January 2, 2003. They were available only in 105 Toyota dealerships in California at their initial launch on June 9, 2003. The subsequent rollout of the brand to the South, the Southeast, and the East Coast occurred in February 2004. Scion vehicles were available nationwide in June 2004, coinciding with the release of the 2005 tC. On December 16, 2006, Scion unveiled the next-generation xB, based on the t2B concept, and the new xD, successor of the xA, at an invitation-only, no-camera event in Miami. Both cars were then publicly unveiled on February 8, 2007, at the Chicago Auto Show. The xD, a five-door subcompact car that is sold in Japan as the second generation Toyota Ist, was based on the Yaris platform with the tenth-generation Corolla's engine.

In September 2010, Scion expanded into Canada, with vehicles offered at 45 selected dealers starting in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, followed by other cities. Launch models included the tC, xD, and xB. The first new Scions were shown in Canada at the 2009 Montreal International Auto Show.

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Common 2013 Toyota Scion problems

The Toyota Scion 2013 has been reported to have several common problems, including clutch failure, water pump seal failure, excessive oil consumption, head gasket failure, broken trunk, and rattling noises.

Clutch failure is one of the most common problems reported by Scion tC owners. The clutch can fail due to a manufacturing defect that causes the pressure from the cylinder block to leak through a failed head gasket. When this happens, the car can experience overheating, white smoke coming from the exhaust, and rough idling.

Water pump seal failure is another common problem with the Scion tC. This issue can cause the car to leak coolant, leading to engine overheating and potential damage to the engine.

Excessive oil consumption is also a common problem with the Scion tC. This issue can cause the car to consume more oil than usual, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential engine damage if left unchecked.

Head gasket failure is another common issue with the Scion tC. This problem can cause the car to overheat, experience white smoke from the exhaust, and have rough idling. The issue is caused by a manufacturing defect that allows the pressure from the cylinder block to leak through a failed head gasket.

The Scion tC's trunk has also been reported to have issues. Some owners have reported that the trunk can break, making it difficult to open and close.

Rattling noises are another common problem with the Scion tC. These noises can come from various parts of the car, including the engine and suspension, and can be a sign of wear and tear or more serious issues.

In addition to these common problems, the Scion tC has also been reported to have issues with the clutch release bearing, particularly in cold weather. This issue can cause gears to grind when the clutch is depressed, the clutch to sit too high, and hard shifting. If left unchecked, this issue can lead to transmission housing, pressure plate, and/or shaft damage.

The Scion tC's engine control unit (ECU) has also been reported to have issues. In some cases, the ECU may not be programmed correctly, leading to unstable engine revs in neutral. This issue can be resolved by reprogramming the ECU.

The Scion tC's oil drain plug has also been reported to be prone to cracks from over-torquing. If left unchecked, this issue can lead to an oil leak from the bottom of the oil pan.

While the Scion tC has been reported to have these common problems, it is important to note that the car has also been praised for its reliability. RepairPal gave the tC an above-average score of 4 out of 5, indicating that the car is generally reliable and has few catastrophic issues. However, it is still important for Scion tC owners to be aware of these common problems and to address them promptly to avoid more serious issues down the line.

How many miles do scions last?

The well-maintained Scion tC can last more than 250,000 miles. There are even reports of their Scion tCs lasting over 500,000 miles. As long as you're aware of the common problems of the particular vehicle you're planning to buy, you'll know what to look out for.

What is the most common problems with Scion tC?

Is 2013 Toyota Scion tC a good car?

Edmunds says

While the 2013 Scion tC looks the part of a sporty compact coupe, its handling performance doesn't quite live up to its appearance. However, the benefits of a generous list of features and a comfortable, roomy cabin should be plenty to attract the average driver.

Is A Toyota Scion a reliable car?

While the Scion brand may no longer be in production, it was a subsidiary of Toyota, a brand known for producing durable and reliable vehicles. This reliability has transferred well to the Scion xB, which boasts a generally solid track record of performance and minimal major issues.

Is 2013 Toyota Scion tC a good car?

Edmunds says

Is A Toyota Scion a reliable car?

Are Toyota scions safe?

Scion FR-S Earns IIHS 'Top Safety Pick,' Giving Toyota the Most in Auto Industry.

What is the most common problems with Scion tC?

Some of the common Scion tC issues include clutch failure, water pump seal failure, excessive oil consumption, and more. The Scion tC can last more than 250,000 miles if it's well-maintained.

2013 Toyota Scion complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Toyota Scion.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2013 Toyota Scion problems:

2013 owners, what problems have you had so far with your car? : r/ft86

https://www.reddit.com/r/ft86/comments/7uh57h/2013_owners_what_problems_have_you_had_so_far/

Feb 1, 2018 ... Going to just pick up a 2013 model with 30k miles. It's the only FRS around my area that's White. What are some known problems that I should ...

Scion tC Reliability and Common Problems - In The Garage with ...

https://www.carparts.com/blog/scion-tc-reliability-and-common-problems/

Aug 3, 2023 ... Some of the common Scion tC issues include clutch failure, water pump seal failure, excessive oil consumption, and more. The Scion tC can last ...

2013 Scion xB Problems and Complaints - 3 Issues

https://repairpal.com/2013-scion-xb/problems

2013 Scion xB Problems. Find the most common issues based on car owner complaints. Top 2013 Scion xB Problems. Cable ...

2013 Scion tC Problems | Kelley Blue Book

https://www.kbb.com/scion/tc/2013/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2013 Scion tC? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

Scion tC Problems and Complaints - 4 Issues

https://repairpal.com/problems/scion/tc

Top Scion tC Problems · Excessive Oil Consumption. 57 people have reported this · Check Engine Light Due to Defective VVT-i Controller. 47 people have reported ...