2009 SCION XB — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 137 complaints · 11 recalls
Most-reported system: AIR BAGS (66 complaints · 48.2%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 12
  • Fires 5
  • Injuries 16
  • Deaths 1
Compare with 2008 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution AIR BAGS appears in 66 of 137 owner complaints (48.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. AIR BAGS: 66 complaints, 48.2% of reports AIR BAGS 66 · 48.2% · 5 crash reports ENGINE: 21 complaints, 15.3% of reports ENGINE 21 · 15.3% · 2 fire reports SERVICE BRAKES: 9 complaints, 6.6% of reports SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 6.6% · 1 crash reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: 7 complaints, 5.1% of reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 · 5.1% · 1 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 6 complaints, 4.4% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 · 4.4% POWER TRAIN: 4 complaints, 2.9% of reports POWER TRAIN 4 · 2.9% · 1 crash reports STRUCTURE: 4 complaints, 2.9% of reports STRUCTURE 4 · 2.9% SEAT BELTS: 3 complaints, 2.2% of reports SEAT BELTS 3 · 2.2% · 3 crash reports VISIBILITY: 2 complaints, 1.5% of reports VISIBILITY 2 · 1.5% · 1 fire reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 26 complaints, 19.0% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 26 · 19.0% · 2 crash reports 3 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
AIR BAGS 66 48.2% 5 crashes · 0 fires
ENGINE 21 15.3% 0 crashes · 2 fires
SERVICE BRAKES 9 6.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 5.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 4.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
POWER TRAIN 4 2.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
STRUCTURE 4 2.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
SEAT BELTS 3 2.2% 3 crashes · 0 fires
VISIBILITY 2 1.5% 0 crashes · 1 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 26 19.0% 2 crashes · 3 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2008; the first recall shown was reported in Sep 2008. 2008-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2010-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2015-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2017-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 2017-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2017-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2017-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2018-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2019-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2020-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Sep 2008 Oct 2024 Recall campaign 08V451000 ◆ Recall campaign 08V451000 Recall campaign 09V223000 ◆ Recall campaign 09V223000 Recall campaign 10V035000 ◆ Recall campaign 10V035000 Recall campaign 10V036000 ◆ Recall campaign 10V036000 Recall campaign 12V491000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V491000 Recall campaign 15V689000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V689000 Recall campaign 16V340000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V340000 Recall campaign 17V006000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V006000 Recall campaign 18V024000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V024000 Recall campaign 18E091000 ◆ Recall campaign 18E091000 Recall campaign 19V741000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V741000 Investigation EA21002 ● Investigation EA21002
  • Campaign 09V223000 was reported 250 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 10V035000 was reported 483 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 10V036000 was reported 483 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 12V491000 was reported 799 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 15V689000 was reported 1,906 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 16V340000 was reported 2,784 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V006000 was reported 3,015 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V024000 was reported 3,380 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V741000 was reported 4,026 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2008-Q4 Owner reports 1
2009-Q1 Owner reports 1
2009-Q3 Owner reports 2
2009-Q4 Owner reports 3
2010-Q1 Owner reports 8
2010-Q2 Owner reports 2
2010-Q3 Owner reports 2
2010-Q4 Owner reports 1
2011-Q1 Owner reports 1
2012-Q1 Owner reports 1
2012-Q3 Owner reports 2
2012-Q4 Owner reports 2
2013-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 1
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q2 Owner reports 1
2014-Q4 Owner reports 1
2015-Q1 Owner reports 4
2015-Q2 Owner reports 1
2015-Q3 Owner reports 3
2015-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q1 Owner reports 3
2016-Q2 Owner reports 2
2016-Q3 Owner reports 4
2016-Q4 Owner reports 10
2017-Q1 Owner reports 21
2017-Q2 Owner reports 15
2017-Q3 Owner reports 13
2017-Q4 Owner reports 6
2018-Q1 Owner reports 2
2018-Q2 Owner reports 2
2018-Q3 Owner reports 1
2018-Q4 Owner reports 4
2019-Q1 Owner reports 2
2019-Q2 Owner reports 1
2019-Q4 Owner reports 4
2020-Q1 Owner reports 1
2020-Q4 Owner reports 1
2021-Q4 Owner reports 1
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q4 Owner reports 1
2024-Q1 Owner reports 1
2024-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 08V451000
Recall campaign 1 09V223000
Recall campaign 1 10V035000
Recall campaign 1 10V036000
Recall campaign 1 12V491000
Recall campaign 1 15V689000
Recall campaign 1 16V340000
Recall campaign 1 17V006000
Recall campaign 1 18V024000
Recall campaign 1 18E091000
Recall campaign 1 19V741000
Defect investigation 1 EA21002
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (11)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 08V451000

    Report date
    Component:
    STRUCTURE
    Consequence:
    DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THIS COULD OBSTRUCT THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER POSSIBLY CAUSE THE HOOD TO STRIKE THE ROOF OR THE WINDSHIELD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPORTS GRILL INSTALLATION AND INSTALL ADDITIONAL CLIPS TO ENSURE THE RADIATOR GRILL GARNISH IS PROPERLY SECURED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09V223000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 10V035000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
    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 MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 10V036000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 12V491000

    Report date
    Component:
    VISIBILITY
    Consequence:
    If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 15V689000

    Report date
    Component:
    VISIBILITY
    Consequence:
    If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V340000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V006000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18E091000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
    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 one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V024000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 19V741000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 137 complaints · page 1 of 6

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources