Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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. …
While at a drive thru and foot firmly on the brake my 2009 Scion xB surged by releasing the pressure on the brake, I quickly removed my foot and reapplied pressure and it did it again at a stop light same occurrence. Vehicle at both these times was not in motion. I took it to the dealership to ask if problems had been reported as both these instances happened within minutes of each other and they stated to leave the vehicle and they would check it out. However, I told them I needed a car they said service was closed and was unable to provide me with a car in order for me and my family to get home and for work the next day. The dealership was open it was 7:15 pm at night but I could not get a loaner car in order for them to properly check my brakes and acceleration issues. I asked them to write down that I had approached them on the subject and they said they would. …
I bought a 2008 Scion xd in September 2008. 6 weeks after I bought the car, I totaled it when steering on an on-ramp to the highway. It spun three times and finally stopped after hitting the guardrail. I was alone. I got whiplash. I am a very experienced driver but the car lost absolute control at a low speed (under 25 MPH) but on wet blacktop in the fall in new england.. The car was $30 from being classified as a total. The body shop was owned by the dealer - not sure if the $30 discrepancy had anything to do with that. They also said the frame/unibody was slightly off and left me with a totally valueless car with 3,000 miles on it. Since then I do not trust the steering of the car. It does seem to swim at speeds over 55 - 60 MPH - almost a hydroplaning feel to the steering on dry pavement. I wonder what it will take for it to be recalled?
The initial incident occurred while driving the vehicle on partially snow covered pavement. As I applied the brakes to stop at an intersection, the vehicle began to skid. The vehicle stability control and ABS systems did not work, and the brake, ABS and vsc lights came on. The warning lights remained on for approximately one day as I continued to drive. After the warning lights turned off, they remained off for approximately two weeks, then the ABS and vsc systems failed again and the lights came back on. This problem occurs fairly regularly, six to eight times per year. I was quoted a cost of around $1200 to replace the rear hub assemblies and wiring harness replaced, with no guarantee that would solve the problem.
When braking, the accelerator had somehow stuck and moved me ahead instead of stopping and caused an accident; running into concrete posts in the parking lot, which by USAA standards, totaled my car; Actually it didn't, but because they didn't want to repair it the settlement totaled it, causing me lots of issues in finding transportation. This was not the first time. It has happened three times with this car. I never went back to the dealer (too far to find out if there was a fix for it, or a recall.) In searching for one, never found it.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Toyota Scion xB. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to accelerate independently. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the throttle needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the brake pedal failed to respond causing the contact to crash into a pole. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control
Certain rostra precision controls' speed controls May have a faulty module. These controls were installed by southeast Toyota dealers or at their vehicle processing center on certain passenger vehicles. When the speed control "on/off" switch is pressed once to turn the unit off, the throttle does not return to idle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and/or replace the speed control module. The recall began on February 28, 2007. Owners May contact southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Certain rostra precision controls' speed controls May have a faulty module. These controls were installed by gulf states Toyota (gst) dealers or at their vehicle processing center on certain passenger vehicles. When the speed control "on/off" switch is pressed once to turn the unit off, the throttle does not return to idle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and/or replace the speed control module. The recall began on March 7, 2007. Owners May contact gst at 1-800-444-1074.
Frequently asked questions
Which Scion xB years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (27), 2008 (15), 2005 (10), 2009 (9) and 2010 (5) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Scion xB acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 07V-048 (vehicle speed control, Feb 12, 2007); 07V-030 (cruise control, Feb 1, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Scion xB acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 53% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (2 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (1).
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.