Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Scion xB owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Scion xB. While driving 75 MPH, the contact heard a noise coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over and discovered flames underneath the vehicle. The contact grabbed her belongings out of the vehicle and called the police. The only warning indicator that was illuminated was the windshield wiper fluid. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed destroyed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was unknown.
The Scion xB 2009 was driving on the highway, at speed limit, 10 miles after the "needs maintenance" oil light came on. After 15 minutes, the car made a loud bang noise which we think came from the engine.after the bang, car pulled over. Another car pulled over too, since a piece of flaming debris from my car came out from underneath and broke that car's windshield. That driver indicated that my Scion was on fire and to get out of the car! ~5 seconds later the first of many explosions happened. The car quickly, within one minute, became completely engulfed in flames. By the time the fire department arrived the car was "fully engaged" (100% burning). It is a total loss.
March 15 my Scion xB spontaneously erupted in flames, we on our way home at the intersection of union tpke and parsons blvd in queens ny, we were stopped for construction traffic when the vehicle began to emit smoke, we pulled into a kfc/pizza hut parking lot, , within minutes flames were coming out from the engine compartment, one of the fire fighters thought it was electrical
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to mike bass Ford located at 5050 detroit rd, sheffield, oh 44035 [phone], for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the oil level was extremely low. An oil change was performed however, a month later the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. There were no oil leaks evident. The contact was referred back to the original dealer who performed the initial oil change. The technician was also unable to find evidence of an oil leak. The VIN tool showed no recalls associated with the failure. While driving at an undisclosed speed a month later, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the engine. …
2009 Scion xB. Almost empty by the next oil change. It took a while to realize after years of oil changes that by the time it was time for the next oil change, the engine was almost without oil. This went on for years. I took the car to the dealer to perform a test. The dealer performed a test and stated that it was normal for this vehicle to use 1 qt per thousand miles. I then asked him how many quarts does the car have. He answered about 5. If the oil changes are every 5K miles then the engine has no oil by the next oil change. He stated that was toyotas rule. I took the car a second time and they stated know I have a leak that wasn't there during the first test. I believe the leak was caused by the engine running on so little oil.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Scion xB. While in traffic, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to shift the gear into neutral and restart the vehicle. The contact drove to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cylinder failed and needed to be replaced. The contact called bell road Toyota at [phone] (located at 2020 w bell rd, phoenix, az 85023) and was informed to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Scion xB. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed oil prematurely; however, the manufacturer advised that the parts for the warranty repair were not available. The contact was placed on a waiting list for over one year. The contact added that NHTSA campaign number: 16V340000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The manufacturer stated that the parts were not available for repair. The contact had not experienced the air bag failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available....updated 10/11/16
Heading in to work, hear knocking. Pull over, no warning lights. Check oil, it's low. Has never been low, nor leaked any, and it is a one-owner car. Put a quart in, keep heading to work, still, no warning lights. Front of long block exploded forward toward the radiator. Didn't know what the explosion was until we hooked up to the wrecker. Aluminum parts and a piston laying under the engine. Motor was out of oil. No warning light came on, it went straight to hot, and blew. My Honda wouldn't let you turn it on if it was low on oil or antifreeze. I liked that. This problem hurts.
Engine complaints in other xB years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Scion xB?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Scion xB, 18% of the model year's 140 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Scion xB engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Scion xB, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Scion xB engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.