Most common 2009 Scion xB problems
Share of the 140 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Scion xB complaints by model year
Best xB years: 2007, 2015, 2013. Years to avoid: 2008, 2006, 2009, 2005. Compare all years →
2009 Scion xB recalls (10)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.
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…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,…
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…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and…
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…
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
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.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
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.
Show 4 more recalls
Equipment › Other › Labels
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 sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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 between September 1, 2005 and June 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from September 1, 2005 to May 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
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.
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
Southeast Toyota is recalling 67 my 2008-2009 Scion xb vehicles equipped with the sports grill option and also several radiator grills sold as parts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 Scion xB:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2009 Scion xB owners say
Air bags all 74 →
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Scion xB. While at a stop light and releasing the brake pedal, the contact's vehicle accelerated without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a vehicle that was also at a stop light. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The contact called victorville motors at [phone] (located at 14617 civic dr, victorville, ca 92394), but did not recall what was discussed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18e091000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a side collision while driving 75 MPH. The air bag failed to deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries to the arm and left shoulder. …
Takata recall -my daughter hit a parked car and over corrected making the vehicle flip. No airbags deployed. My daughter had a cut on her head, huge bump on forehead, black eye, huge bump on top of her head. Her passanger fractured three finger and had her nails ripped off. She will be having surgery. We had the passenger air bag replaced due to the Takata recall in November.
Engine & cooling all 25 →
This vehicle type had a oil consumption recall. My vehicle has never been repaired. The car consumes a lot of oil. I went to my local Toyota dealership to have my car repaired under the recall. They would not honor the repair.. my car is a 2009 Scion xB. The recall goes back to 2016. I bought my car after 2016 with low miles. Don't they have to repair by law ? Can you please help me. I am low income on a disability. I need my car repaired thank you
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Scion xB. While driving approximately 35 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The driver immediately stopped the vehicle. Flames were present under the hood and the subframe of the vehicle. The flames eventually self extinguished. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the cause of the failure was due to the motor failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 112,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 11/23/15 no VIN number, updated 4/13/18 consumer stated engine failure-fire under hood no external damage no injuries. Getting a big run around from Toyota for recall part damage, Toyota won't resume responsibility even though on recall list. Updated 10/11/18
Brakes
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Scion xB. While at a stop light and releasing the brake pedal, the contact's vehicle accelerated without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a vehicle that was also at a stop light. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The contact called victorville motors at [phone] (located at 14617 civic dr, victorville, ca 92394), but did not recall what was discussed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18e091000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a side collision while driving 75 MPH. The air bag failed to deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries to the arm and left shoulder. …
Keep getting recals in the mail my cars hoold latch wont stay so I risk daily the potential to have it fly up and smash my windshield, also burns threw too oil, interior lights dont work for the heating ac area umm if u close the gas cap cover completly as required it fuems up the inside the car makes u sick feelng my airbags are alarming at random times when u wouldmt expect it to or never stop even when u click in seat belt and the o2 sensor is a consistamt replacement thats gettimg annoying to fix or replace
2009 Scion xB engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Scion xB a good car?
Based on 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 xB rates avoid: 2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the xB at the same age. It is one of the xB years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Scion xB?
The air bags — 74 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the engine & cooling (25) and brakes (13).
How many recalls does the 2009 Scion xB have?
There are 10 recalls for the 2009 Scion xB, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Scion xB?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2015 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2006, 2009 and 2005. See the full Scion xB years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Scion xB problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 35% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.