RoadVitals

2004 Scion Xb

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
37
Latest Jan 18, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
8
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 37 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Scion Xb, most frequently naming the airbags, visibility and body & structure categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 48 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags715.6%
  • Visibility715.6%
  • Body & structure613.3%
  • Electrical613.3%
  • Driver assistance511.1%
  • Brakes36.7%
  • Other / unspecified36.7%
  • Seat belts36.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
07E005000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Jan 18, 2007
2,934 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN ROSTRA CRUISE CONTROLS, P/NOS. 00012-X0486-01, 00015-X0486-01, 00012-X0486-21, 00016-79910, 00016-79910-01, AND 250-1755, INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY 2006-2007 GULF STATES TOYOTA AND SOUTHEAST TOYOTA SCION VEHICLES AND ALSO SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT. THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE ON/OFF SWITCH IS PRESSED FOR THE FIRST TIME.
The risk: FAILURE TO RELEASE THE THROTTLE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOTIFY THEIR OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL FREE OF CHARGE. ROSTRA WILL NOTIFY PURCHASERS OF THE ATERMARKET CRUISE CONTROLS AND REPLACE THE UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 13, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ROSTRA AT 910-291-2538.
ROSTRA PRECISION CONTROLS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 37
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 18, 2025
Crash reported

The vehicle belongs to a sex trafficker involving minors

NHTSA ID
11636809
Incident
Jan 8, 2020
Airbags
Filed Apr 4, 2019

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AM WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUMPY COUNTY ROAD. NO ERROR CODE. UNABLE TO RESET. VEHICLE MILEAGE RIGHT AT 150K.

NHTSA ID
11193962
Incident
Feb 20, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SCION XB. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LARRY MILLER TOYOTA, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 505-545-8699) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11047435
Incident
Sep 11, 2017
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2017

WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND OUR INTENTION IS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT WORK AND CAUSE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS TO BE LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR. CANNOT MANUALLY UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE, BUT RATHER, HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOW, REACH OUTSIDE THROUGH THE WINDOW AND INSERT KEY IN THE OUTSIDE DOOR LOCK, AND THEN CAUSE UNLOCK FROM THE KEY OUTSIDE. PUT ASIDE THE FACT THAT IF WE DROPPED THE KEY OUTSIDE WHILE REACHING THROUGH THE WINDOW FROM THE INSIDE, WE WOULD BE WROUGHT WITH MORE PROBLEM - THE PRIMARY CONCERN IS THAT WE CANNOT ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY DUE TO THE DOOR LOCK PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11006447
Incident
Jul 17, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 9, 2017

ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. HAVE TO TAKE IT TO REPAIR SHOP SO IT CAN BE FIXED FOR A TIME. SO IT WILL PASS INSPECTION WITH LIGHT OFF. SOON AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO ON AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY YEARS. CAR WAS IN MOTION, STARTING CAR, DRIVING CAR, FORWARD AND BACKING UP. LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. MECHINIAC CANT FIND WHAT IS WRONG. DRIVING CAR ON STREET OR HIGHWAY, UP HILL OR ON FLAT STREET.

NHTSA ID
10950464
Incident
Jun 6, 2005
Electrical
Filed Dec 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VSC, ABS, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 01/25/2017*CT *CN

NHTSA ID
10933859
Incident
Aug 31, 2016
Mileage
44,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 17, 2015

WHILE OPENING REAR HATCH THE HANDLE PULLED OFF. NO UNDUE PRESSURE WAS USED, IT LITERALLY JUST PULLED OFF INTO MY HAND AS I ATTEMPTED TO SIMPLY OPEN THE DOOR. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR & MODEL SCION , THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. SCION/TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE PART WITHOUT A SUBSTANTIAL CHARGE.

NHTSA ID
10764633
Incident
Sep 17, 2015
Mileage
71,213 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 20, 2015

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE INCREASINGLY BECOME A PROBLEM. FIRST, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STOPPED WORKING AND NOW HAS TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THEN THE SAME HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR, WHICH HAS TO BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY. FINALLY, THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAS ON THREE OCCASIONS, LOCKED ME IN, FORCING ME TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE MY KEY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN W/ ANY OF THE OTHER VEHICLES I'VE OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10700650
Incident
Feb 2, 2011
Mileage
65,455 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-PANT-2024-004-

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website.

S-SB-0015-14 Rev

EQUIPMENT

SB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information.

S-SB-0015-14 Rev

ENGINE

SB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information.

S-SB-0005-15

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

SSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose the air conditioning system after a component failure. Refer to the applicable Repair Manual for vehicle specific repair procedures and parts.

S-SB-0005-15

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose the air conditioning system after a component failure. Refer to the applicable Repair Manual for vehicle specific repair procedures and parts.

S-SB-0023-11 Rev

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

SSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Scion Xb by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016000—
2015631—
2014931—
2013133165.6
2012454162.1
2011546158.8
2010558158.5
200914011160.9
20083399158.9
2007350—
200625311054.2
2005927054.8
2004Viewing376054.7
2003120—
2002010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.