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2006 Scion xB Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Scion xB has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Spontaneous windshield cracking.” Every Scion is another company's car in a hoodie, and the maintenance follows the donor. Most models (xA, xB, tC, xD, iQ, iM) are pure Toyota: 5,000-mile or 6-month service visits, oil every 10,000 miles on the 0W-20 cars (5,000 on early models), iridium plugs at 120,000, and famously little else. The FR-S is a Subaru boxer underneath and marches to Subaru's beat, with plugs at 60,000 and its own coolant schedule. The iA is a Mazda2 with Skyactiv service intervals. Parts and service remain easy through Toyota dealers, which is most of why used Scions make sense.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Scion xB.

Reported to NHTSA

Spontaneous windshield cracking

VISIBILITY

108 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2018-12

“THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2006 SCION XB CRACKED (FULL LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD) WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT. CURIOUS WHY IT WOULD CRACK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10313504
“MY 2006 SCION XB HAS A CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, STARTING FROM THE CENTER TOP EXTENDING STRAIGHT DOWNWARD APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES AND THEN PROCEEDS TO CRACK IN THE DIRECTION TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE WHICH AGAIN EXTENDS ANOTHER 6 INCHES. THE CRACK HAS NO VISIBLE POINT OF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10331204
“CAME OUT TO THE CAR THIS MORNING TO FIND A " L " SHAPED CRACK STARTING FROM THE TOP MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD DOWN ABOUT 8 INCHES, AND TAKING A 90 DEGREE TURN TWORDS THE DRIVER SIDE FOR ANOTHER 12 INCHES. UPON INSPECTION THE CRACK HAS NO IMPACT POINT AND LOOKS TO HAVE STARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10320759

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric door lock failure preventing exit

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-01 → 2019-07

“THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS ON THE CAR WILL OFTEN OPEN ONLY HALFWAY, PREVENTING THE OCCUPANT FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE AFFECTED, BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR IS AFFECTED MORE OFTEN. IT IS DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10680364
“THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE. I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS. THE KEY WAS ALSO PREVENTED FROM UNLOCKING THE DOORS. AFTER CONSIDERABLE EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK A REAR DOOR AND EXIT THERE. LATER I COULD NEITHER LOCK OR UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS. THE CAR WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10820176
“2006 SCION XB DRIVER DOOR OFTEN WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. DRIVER MUST CLIMB OUT THROUGH WINDOW OR PASSENGER DOOR. NOT REPAIRED YET.*TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10302163

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden acceleration with unresponsive brakes

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

28 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2023-01

“WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A SEATTLE BOULEVARD AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. INSTEAD OF SLOWING, THE ENGINE SPED UP. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO STOP BY STOMPING ON THE BRAKE, BUT AT FULL STOP THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10294281
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SCION XB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP SO THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10304731
“WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE, GOT IN CAR, STARTED ENGINE, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THEN PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT OF GARAGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN TOO FAST, WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE, THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10627930

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear hatch handle and release switch failure

STRUCTURE

15 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2019-08

“THE VEHICLES REAR HATCH HANDLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH MAKES THE PART FAIL. THE REAR HATCH HANDLE IS FASTENED TO THE TRUNK/HATCH WITH PLASTIC CLIPS. WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON FOR THE HATCH IS PRESSED, IT ONLY UNLOCKS THE HATCH DOOR. IT DOES NOT SPRING UPWARD LIKE OTHER VEHICLES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10490860
“THE HANDLE TO MY BACK TRUNK DOOR IS MADE OF SOME SORT OF PLASTIC AND LIVING IN THE SOUTH HAS POSSIBLY CAUSED IT TO START MELTING. IT HAS SLOWLY MELTED, DRIPPING TAR LIKE MATERIAL ONTO MY REAR BUMPER OF MY SCION XB. EVERY TIME I OPEN MY TRUNK, THE BLACK TAR MATERIAL WILL END UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10549256
“THE RUBBER PIECE THAT COVERS THE SWITCH FOR THE REAR HATCH HAS MELTED FOR THE THIRD TIME. I HAD IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME AND THEN AGAIN WHEN THE WHOLE GARNISH FELL OFF AND WAS REPLACED UNDER A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT". IN OTHER WORDS A RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10789813

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in frontal and side impact

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2008-07 → 2025-08

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE SENSOR RECALIBRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED AND THE CONTACT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10371842
“T-BONE ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT AT DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL AND ROLLED. FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED. AT FAULT DRIVER STATED GOING 55 MPH, THROUGH STOPS SIGNS, HITTING ME. I WAS DOING 55 AND SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, SO I WAS DOING SOMEWHAT LESS THAN 55. I WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10626859
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S GRANDDAUGHTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10985429

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter Change

Every 10,000 mi

0W-20 models (2011+ tC, iQ, iM): every 10,000 miles or 12 months with 5,000-mile checkup visits between. Earlier models: every 5,000 miles or 6 months. FR-S and iA: every 7,500 miles. Severe use halves all of these.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Every 5,000 miles or 6 months per the Toyota-pattern schedule; 7,500 on FR-S and iA.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Checked at every service visit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Toyota's US guides list inspection only, no replacement interval; the FR-S schedule does replace it, around every 30,000 miles. Every 2 to 3 years is sound practice on any of them since fluid absorbs moisture with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles or 36 months across the lineup.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Iridium plugs at 120,000 miles on the Toyota-engine cars. FR-S: 60,000 miles, the big schedule difference on the Subaru boxer. iA: roughly 75,000 per Mazda practice. Note that 2005-2010 tC engines with oil-consumption habits can foul plugs early.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles or 36 months on the Toyota schedule; sooner in dusty conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

Every 100,000 mi

Toyota Super Long Life: first change at 100,000 miles or 120 months, then every 50,000. FR-S uses Subaru coolant: first at 135,000 or 11 years, then every 75,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota WS fluid has no normal-schedule change; the factory book calls for it at 60,000 and 120,000 only under towing or heavy loads. FR-S automatics: every 60,000 miles or 5 years. A drain and fill around 60,000 is cheap insurance on any of them.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

First inspection at 60,000 miles or 72 months, then every 15,000. All Scion engines are chain-driven; there is no timing-belt service on any model.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

153 crashes 1990–2024

How the 153 occupant deaths break down

114

driver deaths

39

passenger deaths

153

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Scion xB reflects Scion's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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