Most common 2012 Scion xB problems
Share of the 45 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 →
2012 Scion xB recalls (3)
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 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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 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 2012 Scion xB owners say
Air bags all 27 →
I was t-boned on March 6th, 2013 on the driver's side. I was in a Scion xB and the person who hit me was in a Chevy silverado. The impact was estimated at 45 MPH and the door was jammed shut. No air bags deployed. The curtain airbag should have which would have lessened the impact. As a result, the driver (myself) sustained a broken collar bone, broken rib, and punctured lung among various bruising and passed out for an unknown amount of time. After several calls to Scion and a visit to the Toyota dealership where it was purchased we did not hear anything from the car manufacturer until a month later. The inspectors at Toyota called to find out where the car was located and if they would be able to inspect it. Because the jaws of life were used to pry the door open, it split the door enough to where you could see where the sensor for the airbag did not deploy. …
NHTSA re all no. 16v-340 & 17v-006 2012 Toyota Scion I took the veicle to repair after that I didn't revive any notification of recall , I did file a complaint never recive any notification it looks like my car it's been sold to another agency without my notification and autorizacin I'm still making payments without knowing the situation.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2012 Scion XB. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting excessive engine oil consumption. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light would illuminate approximately 1,000 miles prior to the next scheduled oil change. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light recently illuminated less than a month after the previous oil change; 2,500 miles prior to the next oil change. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated that 4 quarts of oil was consumed prior to the next scheduled oil change and suggested that there was leak. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to Toyota Technical Service Bulletin Number: SB0024-11R2. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. …
Recall id 287614-my vehicle was involved in an accident on 1/10/2019 for failure to stop due to brakes. My car ran a red light and hit another vehicle in the intersection. Both cars were totaled and removed from the scene by a tow truck. I received a notification in the mail in April 2019 3 month after my accident regarding the recall id #287614, I have since contacted Toyota and the refused to compensate me for my loss. They have tried to relocate my car for inspection but the insurance company who has possession of my car after the accident, no longer has it. I have not fully recovered from this accidently finically and I was looking to have Toyota to help me compensate me for my loss. The money I did get from the insurance company went towards the remaining balance of my loan and I was not able to use it towards another vehicle. …
Body & structure
Driver was traveling at 75 mph when the hood suddenly released. Both latches failed and the hood flew up against the windshield with enough force to crease the hood and dent the roof. Inside the vehicle, the done light and the rear view mirror were knocked loose. Incident occurred at night with no other traffic on the road and Driver was able to pull over without further incident. If there had been other vehicles, the sudden lack of visibility would likely have resulted in a crash.
Recall id 287614-my vehicle was involved in an accident on 1/10/2019 for failure to stop due to brakes. My car ran a red light and hit another vehicle in the intersection. Both cars were totaled and removed from the scene by a tow truck. I received a notification in the mail in April 2019 3 month after my accident regarding the recall id #287614, I have since contacted Toyota and the refused to compensate me for my loss. They have tried to relocate my car for inspection but the insurance company who has possession of my car after the accident, no longer has it. I have not fully recovered from this accidently finically and I was looking to have Toyota to help me compensate me for my loss. The money I did get from the insurance company went towards the remaining balance of my loan and I was not able to use it towards another vehicle. …
2012 Scion xB engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Scion xB a good car?
Based on 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 xB rates average: 16% fewer complaints than 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 2012 Scion xB?
The air bags — 27 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (9) and body & structure (7).
How many recalls does the 2012 Scion xB have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2012 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 2012 Scion xB problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 18% 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.