Most common 2009 Scion xD problems
Share of the 23 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Scion xD complaints by model year
Best xD years: 2012, 2010. Years to avoid: 2008, 2009. Compare all years →
2009 Scion xD recalls (6)
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.
Seats
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 22, 2005, through May 12, 2010, and 2008-2010 Scion xD vehicles manufactured April 4, 2007, through May 12, 2010.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat rail, and replace it with a new one, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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.
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
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Scion xd and my 2009-2010 corolla, and corolla matrix vehicles equipped with 1.8l engine and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new…
Remedy: Dealers will install a newly designed intake air connector which will relocate the brake system vacuum port. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2009.
What 2009 Scion xD owners say
Electrical system
While car running on the local road, approx. 40 MPH, rear window from driver side rolled down itself and a lot of smoke started coming out from power window master switch controls and from driver side window, inside. Two of four switches from master switch control then melted and pushed all the way down, seems like the bottom part of those switches caught fires or something, however, no fire was visible from the exterior. Was then pulled to the business parking lot and turned off the engine. The smoke then slowly stopped. Car towed to and parked at local Toyota/ Scion dealer side way, service consultant checked my VIN and informed that there was no recall for this particular VIN. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Scion xD. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was serviced under an unknown recall, but the failure recurred. In addition, the front passenger side window switch operated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger side window switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V689000 (visibility); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,283. Parts distribution disconnect. …
Speed control & acceleration
On nov 11, 2012 I was backing into my driveway when I felt something under my foot accelerate. My Scion surged backwards out of control. By the time I got it stopped I had run over and destroyed my picnic table also doing damage to the back of my vehicle. When I got a postcard a couple days ago regarding sudden acceleration I realized was Toyota was having a problem with acceleration and I should report it.
My sister's Toyota scions xD was involved in a multi cars accident on sept. 9, 2010 around 6:00 pm. The scions was first involved into 1 sudden and right afterward the car suddenly accelerated closed to 100 MPH and it went about quarter mile before it hit another car. It finally stopped when the car hit a road guide.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
While car running on the local road, approx. 40 MPH, rear window from driver side rolled down itself and a lot of smoke started coming out from power window master switch controls and from driver side window, inside. Two of four switches from master switch control then melted and pushed all the way down, seems like the bottom part of those switches caught fires or something, however, no fire was visible from the exterior. Was then pulled to the business parking lot and turned off the engine. The smoke then slowly stopped. Car towed to and parked at local Toyota/ Scion dealer side way, service consultant checked my VIN and informed that there was no recall for this particular VIN. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Scion xD. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was serviced under an unknown recall, but the failure recurred. In addition, the front passenger side window switch operated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger side window switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V689000 (visibility); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,283. Parts distribution disconnect. …
2009 Scion xD engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 33 / 29 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 32 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Scion xD a good car?
Based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 xD rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the xD at the same age. It is one of the xD 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 xD?
The electrical system — 7 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the speed control & acceleration (5) and windows, wipers & sunroof (4).
How many recalls does the 2009 Scion xD have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2009 Scion xD, the most recent from October 22, 2015 (power window devices and controls). 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 xD?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008 and 2009. See the full Scion xD years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Scion xD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 53% 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.