Most common 2010 Scion xB problems
Share of the 55 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 →
2010 Scion xB recalls (7)
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 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
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 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.
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.
Show 1 more recall
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 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 2010 Scion xB owners say
Air bags all 27 →
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Scion xB. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of the vehicle in front. The front driver side air bag deployed. The driver sustained air bag fragments injuries and burn injuries from the air bag deployment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. About a month later, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V340000 (air bags) and 15V689000 (visibility). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,019.
"Takata recall". Online notice advises passenger airbag is unsafe and can result in serious injury or death. After trying to contact Scion unsuccesfully, called gosch Scion in hemet, california who confirmed the inflator was indeed deadly. I asked if it was safe to drive and reply was "that's up to you". After a few more words were exchanged to the effect this $25,000 car was a pos, the gosch replied I would feel the same way if it was mine. Said they didn't have parts to fix and I would be contacted. Bottom line. I now have a car that is a deathtrap and am upset nobody in authority prevented such a worldwide debacle from taking place until several innocents died . My car is now being garaged indefinitely.
Brakes
While driving in 1-2 inches of slush and snow my tires began to slip and the my vehicle regained control. It happened as I was turning into a culdesac. This had happened before and the normal stability vsc light would flash and alert me however this time the ABS, brakes, vsc, and no stability control light came on and stayed on. I have reset the display, let the vehicle set over night, disconnected the battery and the lights remain on. My brakes lock up and the tires spin out on a whim. The cost to fix it is about $900 but the mechanic says it May not fix the problem. The connection at the hub is fine.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Toyota Scion xB. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked on an incline with the emergency brake engaged yet, the vehicle rolled away independently, crashing into a tree. The front end of the vehicle and the undercarriage were damaged. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the brake failure was not recalled. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 9,000.
Speed control & acceleration
While pulling into my driveway my accelerator suddenly surged forward into a brick plantar box, I was able to stop the vehicle with the brakes and emergency hand brake, although the gas pedal has always been sensitive the surge of acceleration has not been this excessive until now. Toyota states there has not been any claims on this vehicle...
Two incidents within the last month (June-July 2018) of unintended acceleration. Both times occured while nearly stopped, with foot on the brake pedal. The engine revs as if hitting the accelerator, but foot is on brake. Had to press hard on brake to keep from lurching forward. Lasted 2-3 seconds.
2010 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 2010 Scion xB a good car?
Based on 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 xB rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the xB at the same age. 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 2010 Scion xB?
The air bags — 27 complaints, 49% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (7) and speed control & acceleration (5).
How many recalls does the 2010 Scion xB have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2010 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 2010 Scion xB problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 48,000 miles; 52% 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.