ScionTC2010Overview/scion/tc/2010/base/

2010 Scion TC

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 TC.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2010 Scion TC runs on a 4-quart lubrication system spec'd for 5W-20 or 0W-20 API oil, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 city, 29 highway, and 24 combined mpg. Owner-reported issues for this model year total 20 complaints, with the engine cited as the top concern area, and two recalls have been issued. In the broader 2005–2016 model run, 2010 sits well below the peak complaint year of 2006, which logged 161 reports, and above the series low of six in 2016, positioning it as a mid-range entry in the nameplate's reliability trajectory.

Model year201620152014201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/29/24 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 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 24F · 575 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLLOEM · 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
Battery2880054231
Front wiper blades8522247020 alt 8521213031
Serpentine belt9091602600 alt 9091602601
Thermostat9091603136 alt 163250T030
Cabin air filter885685201083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 29 / 24 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-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 Capacity3.7
Engine Oil5W-20 · 0W-20 · 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 Hub159 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 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
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 Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
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)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
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 2010 Scion tC marks a significant point in the generation's quality arc, showing a sharp decline in consumer complaints compared to the 2005–2009 period. While the 2009 model saw 60 complaints, the 2010 model dropped to just 20, a trend of improvement that continued into 2012 with only 8 complaints. The 2010 model recorded 2 recalls and 0 investigations, aligning with the general stability of the generation where annual recalls consistently remained between 1 and 5. Although the 2010 model has 116 TSBs, it falls within a high-TSB cluster that persisted from 2007 through 2011. Of the 20 complaints for 2010, the primary areas of concern were the engine (7) and visibility (3), though the data does not specify the root causes. Given the substantial reduction in complaints compared to earlier years, this is a good year to buy.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
116
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
20
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 20 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine7
Visibility3
Unknown Or Other1
Seats,Unknown Or Other1
Service Brakes1
Tires,Wheels1
Visibility/Wiper1
Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 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 116 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S-TT-0117-202020-12-11VisibilityTT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
ZE7 Phase 2 POL12017-01-12Engine And Engine CoolingWarranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit…
ZE72016-08-04EquipmentWARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN (POL14-12): ADDED THE SHORT BLOCK RELEASE AUTHORIZATION FLOW…
ZE7_Warranty Pol2016-08-04EngineWarranty Policy Bulletin (POL14-12): Added the Short Block Release Authorization Flow…
POL14-122016-06-24EquipmentWARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN (POL14-12): TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED SOME REPORTS WHERE VEHICLES MAY…

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 2010 TC take?

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

Does the 2010 TC have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the TC get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined mpg.