Wrench.Pro

2009 Scion xB Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Scion xB has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Excessive oil consumption and engine failure.” 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.

Save this car as:

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 2009 Scion xB.

Reported to NHTSA

Excessive oil consumption and engine failure

ENGINE

24 NHTSA complaints · 2009-03 → 2024-02

“I HAVE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION THAT IS GOING TO LEAD TO MY ENGINE LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO PUT 4 QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK IN MY CAR. I HAVE NO OIL LEAKS. TOYOTA PUT FAULTY PISTONS IN MY CAR AND WILL NOT REPAIR IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11205274
“BETWEEN ROUTINE OIL CHANGES, ENOUGH OIL HAD BEEN CONSUMED TO CAUSE MY ENGINE TO SEIZE. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK AND THEN STOPPED ON THE OFF RAMP, UNABLE TO MOVE. I HAD MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR A RECALL AND THEY DID NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11142484
“THE ENGINE OIL FILTER ADAPTER DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT THREADS TO SAFELY RETAIN THE OIL FILTER ON THE ENGINE IMO. THE FILTER ON MY XB WAS HELD ON BY 2 1/2 THREADS AFTER IT WAS TIGHTENED BY 3/4 OF A TURN. BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE ENGINE HOUSING AND FILTER ADAPTER ARE MACHINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10263622

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hood latch failure while driving

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2024-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. MAC HAIK TOYOTA IN LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033901
“MY HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE SECONDARY SAFETY LATCH ALSO FAILED AND MY HOOD FLEW UP HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AND THE ROOF OF MY CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11034152
“The contact owns a 2009 Scion XB. The contact stated the hood failed to close after several attempts. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V451000 (Structure) as the VIN was not”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11460162

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS and hydraulic brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

9 NHTSA complaints · 2009-10 → 2016-02

“I PURCHASED MY 2009 SCION XD ON DECEMBER 30, 2008. ON JANUARY 4, 2009, MY BRAKES FROZE UP AND I WASN'T ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T BUDGE BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE FROZEN. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR 5 DAYS EARLIER, MARKQUART TOYOTA IN EAU”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10285911
“2009 SCION XB TOYOTA RELEASE SERIES 6. ABS BRAKES. BROUGHT CAR INTO TOYOTA DANBURY CONNECTICUT A MONTH OR MORE AGO THEY SAID NO PROBLEM WITH ABS. ABS DO NOT ENGAGE WHEN APPLIED IN SNOW OR BAD RAIN. I SKID OUT SEVERAL TIMES LIGHTS/BRAKES NEVER CAME ON. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10305904
“ABS,PARKING BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, VERTICAL STABILITY LIGHTS CAME ON AND NOSE IN THE CAR. IN SAME TIME COMPLETELY DISABLE ABS AND VERTICAL STABILITY SYSTEMS. LIGHTS DISAPPEARED LATER FOR A WEEK AND CAME BACK ON. OVER THE TIME THIS CYCLE APPEARS MORE FREQUENTLY SOMETIMES BEFORE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10390331

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

56 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2019-03

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SCION XB. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11031355
“TAKATA RECALL. THERE IS NO PART AVAILABLE TO FIX MY CAR. I REQUESTED A LOANER CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN ORLANDO WOULD TAKE MY 2009 SCION AND PARK IT IN AN "UNGUARDED UNFENCED LOT" WITH NO PROTECTION FROM THE EXTREME FL HEAT AND WEATHER. IN ADDITION, THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10901920
“TAKATARECALL: SOME MONTHS AGO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE DEALER TO FIX THE CAR REFERENCE THE RECALL. AT THE TIME I MADE SURE THEY KNEW I WAS A SENIOR CITIZEN AND NEED A LOANER CAR... IT WAS AGREED THEY WOULD CALL PRIOR TO MY APPOINTMENT TIME TO ASSURE ME A LOANER CAR WOULD BE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11098524

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbags failed to deploy in crash

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2008-10 → 2015-07

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 20 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT INJURED HER SHOULDER AND THE OTHER DRIVER HAD MINOR INJURIES TO HIS FACE. A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10244735
“AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON OUR 2009 XB RELEASE SERIES 6.0. ONE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 45-50 MILES AND THE XB WAS GOING AT ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR, NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. EMERGENCY PERSONNEL COMMENTED ON WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10312514
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SCION XB. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO RESTRAIN, CAUSING HER TO IMPACT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10485129

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration or brake release surge

POWER TRAIN

9 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2021-12

“I PURCHASED A SCION 2009 XB FOR MY MOM. A FEW MONTHS AGO, SHE COMPLAINED IT ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY IN HER DRIVEWAY. I ASSUMED OPERATOR ERROR. SHE WAS KILLED IN IT TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN IT LEFT THE ROADWAY AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH SPEED AND WITNESSES SAID IT ACCELERATED OUT OF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10329424
“I DRIVE A 2009 SCIONXB. AT LEAST SIX TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN LATE 2008, I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AT ALL TIMES THE CARWAS MOVING LESS THAN 30 MILES AN HOUR. IT OCCURRED ONCE WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT ABOUT TO GO GREEN. I STILL MADE A SOFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10319090
“THE (TOYOTA) SCION XB HAS THE SAME ACCELERATOR PROBLEM, I PUT IN A FLOOR MAT ON TOP OF THE ISSUED FLOOR MAT AND IT HAS GOTTEN STUCK 2 OR 3 TIMES ON THE ACCELERATOR, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE STRONG ENOUGH TO GET INTO PARK AND STOP THE VEHICLE, THE WORSE CASE I”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10295243

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window master switch overheating

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2017-04

“DESCRIPTION THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH INSUFFICIENT LUBRICANT GREASE AND UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE SWITCH MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAN CAUSE THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY TO OVERHEAT AND MELT. A MELTING SWITCH CAN PRODUCE SMOKE AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10979707
“MASTER WINDOW SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND UNIT AND PLASTIC WAS MELTED. HAD TO REPLACE, ONLY TO FIND OUT THIS PART WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME MODEL NUMBER AND YEAR AS MINE, BUT MY VIN DID NOT MATCH UP. YOU MAY NEED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. SAME ISSUES THE RECALL DESCRIBED, AND MAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10650440

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)

29 crashes 1990–2024

How the 29 occupant deaths break down

24

driver deaths

5

passenger deaths

29

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2010 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.

12

complaints mentioning a crash

5

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 2009 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.

Check another vehicle →