RoadVitals

2004 Scion Xb Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Scion Xb, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags715.6%
  • Visibility715.6%
  • Body & structure613.3%
  • Electrical613.3%
  • Driver assistance511.1%
  • Brakes36.7%
  • Other / unspecified36.7%
  • Seat belts36.7%
  • Interior & seats24.4%
  • Transmission24.4%
  • Engine12.2%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 4, 2019

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 · filed Nov 20, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEELS: PREMATURE TIRE WEAR (PRIOR TO TIRE MILEAGE WARRANTY) ALONG WITH UNEXPLAINABLE WARPING OF THE RIMS. TIRE BLOW OUT AND/OR HANDLING/STEERING ISSUES CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY HAZARDS, THEREBY PUTTING AN OWNER INTO A PHYSICAL DAMAGE SITUATION, AS WELL AS BY STANDERS. WIPERS: REAR WIPER FLUID DOES NOT SPRAY, STRAIGHT STREAM DOWN THE CENTER OF REAR WINDOW; WIPER BLADE DOESN'T CONTACT 'STRAIGHT' REAR WINDOW THEREBY DECREASING VISIBILITY WHICH IN TURNS INITIATES AND INTENSIFIES SAFETY/ACCIDENT HAZARDS, NOT TO MENTION DEFEATS THE NEED/USEFULNESS OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR. FRONT WINDSHIELD: THE 'STRAIGHT' UP AND DOWN FORM CAUSES IT TO BE A CATCH ALL RATHER THAN AN AERODYNAMIC DEFLECTOR, ALLOWING THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME A PHYSICAL HAZARD, WHEN AN OBJECT HITS IT WITH PENETRATING FORCE. THE SECONDARY ISSUE IS NUMEROUS WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS, WHICH MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT COVER THEREBY CAUSING RECURRING, AND TREMENDOUS, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON AN OWNER. REAR TAILGATE HATCH: BREAKS AND HANGS BY WIRING HARNESS ALONE, MAKING THE TAILGATE/REAR HATCH VIRTUALLY INACCESSIBLE AND UNUSABLE. THIS THEN BECOMES A NUISANCE FACTOR AS WELL AS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN AN OWNER WOULD NEED TO ACCESS AND REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE. SINCE LICENSE PLATE ILLUMINATION IS REQUIRED BY LAW, A BROKEN HATCH HANDLE CLEARLY PUTS AN OWNER IN VIOLATION OF THIS LAW, THEREBY CAUSING LEGAL IMPLICATIONS AND EXCESS COST FACTORS WHEN HE OR SHE RECEIVES A TICKET FOR A NON-OPERATIONS TAG LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10447519 · filed Feb 11, 2012

A HUGE CRACK HAS APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD FROM TOP RIGHT ABOUT WHERE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AND IT STRETCHES LEFT AND RIGHT ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD! I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL XB'S WITH THE SAME CRACK IN MY TOWN ALONE! I FIND THIS TO BE VERY ODD!!! I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MAKER! *TR

NHTSA ID 10277359 · filed Jul 19, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 17, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SCION XB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID 10661600 · filed Dec 2, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 19, 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 · filed Feb 9, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle belongs to a sex trafficker involving minors

NHTSA ID 11636809 · filed Jan 18, 2025

MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 SCION XB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. HE TRIED THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT STOP OR EVEN SLOW THE CAR DOWN. HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE ACCELERATION WAS TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. THIS MORNING WHEN THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR STARTED THE CAR, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN RACING, AND HE QUICKLY SHUT IF OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID 10515993 · filed Jun 10, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IT HAD RAINED EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT BY THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE RAIN HAD BEEN OVER FOR A FEW HOURS. I WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH, AND I REACHED A HILL IN THE ROAD, AND I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO INCREASE MY MOMENTUM. I THEN EASED OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DIDN'T EASE UP WITH ME. INSTEAD, IT KEPT GOING DOWN. I TRIED THE BRAKES. THEY WERE LOCKED UP. AFTER SEEING ALL THE HORROR STORIES OF TOYOTA'S FLOOR MATS, I IMMEDIATELY RIPPED MY FLOOR MAT OUT FROM UNDER MY FEET AND THREW IT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP THE HILL. I TRIED THE BRAKES AGAIN. NOTHING. THEN I REACHED DOWN, AND TRIED TO PULL THE GAS PEDAL UP. I PULLED AS HARD AS I COULD, BUT THE PEDAL STAYED STUCK. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY FEET TO MAKE SURE THAT I WAS NOT ACCIDENTALLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, BUT I WAS NOT. BY THIS POINT IN TIME, MY CAR HAD INCREASED ITS SPEED FROM THE 35 MPH TO 65 MPH. AS I CRESTED THE TOP OF THE HILL AND RAN THROUGH A STOP LIGHT, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WITH ALL MY STRENGTH. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN TO ABOUT 40 MPH FROM THE 65 MPH IT HAD BEEN AT THE TOP OF THE HILL. I, THEN, SLIPPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND CONTINUED PRESSING ON THE BRAKES, WHICH WERE STILL FIGHTING ME. THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AS IF I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED DOWN ON THE GAS. BY THE TIME I WAS 20 FT AWAY FROM ANOTHER INTERSECTION AND A RED LIGHT IN MY DIRECTION AND A GREEN LIGHT FOR THE CROSS-FLOWING TRAFFIC, I MANAGED TO GET MY CAR DOWN TO 10 MPH. I HAD NO TIME. I COULD EITHER FORCE IT INTO PARK OR GO SWIFTLY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE INTERSECTION. SO I PUT IT IN PARK, BUT EVEN IN PARK THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AS IF I STILL HAD MY FOOT PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE ONLY THING THAT GOT THE ENGINE TO STOP REVVING WAS TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT EVEN THEN THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO GO FOR ANOTHER 10 TO 15 SECONDS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10450412 · filed Mar 5, 2012

NUMEROUS TIMES MY 2004 TOYOTA SCIONXB REQUIRED ME TO SOMETIMES PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT DUE TO THE ENGINE RACING. WHEN I TOLD TOYOTA SERVICE ABOUT IT, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. JUNE 1, 2005 APPROACHING A KIDS PLAYGROUND AREA AT 30MPH, I PUT ON BRAKES AS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE BRAKE DID NOT HOLD, I HIT THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD OF ME , I BRAKED AGAIN AND HIT THE CAR AGAIN. NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR BUT I WAS CITED FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT, 1ST ONE IN 50 YRS OF DRIVING INCLUDING 15 AS A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER. I ALWAYS BELIEVED SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT WITH THE BRAKES AND WITH THE CURRENT TOYOTA BRAKE PROBLEMS I BELIEVE THE SCION XB SHOULDN'T BE IGNORED. I NEVER FELT SAFE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND GOT RID OF IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10319445 · filed Mar 13, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR HATCH HANDLE ON 2004 SCION XB CONTINUES TO BREAK OFF. HAD IT REPLACED JUNE 5 2009 AND IT BROKE OFF AGAIN MARCH 2012. THE ENGINEERING AND MATERIALS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10459821 · filed May 28, 2012

WHEELS: PREMATURE TIRE WEAR (PRIOR TO TIRE MILEAGE WARRANTY) ALONG WITH UNEXPLAINABLE WARPING OF THE RIMS. TIRE BLOW OUT AND/OR HANDLING/STEERING ISSUES CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY HAZARDS, THEREBY PUTTING AN OWNER INTO A PHYSICAL DAMAGE SITUATION, AS WELL AS BY STANDERS. WIPERS: REAR WIPER FLUID DOES NOT SPRAY, STRAIGHT STREAM DOWN THE CENTER OF REAR WINDOW; WIPER BLADE DOESN'T CONTACT 'STRAIGHT' REAR WINDOW THEREBY DECREASING VISIBILITY WHICH IN TURNS INITIATES AND INTENSIFIES SAFETY/ACCIDENT HAZARDS, NOT TO MENTION DEFEATS THE NEED/USEFULNESS OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR. FRONT WINDSHIELD: THE 'STRAIGHT' UP AND DOWN FORM CAUSES IT TO BE A CATCH ALL RATHER THAN AN AERODYNAMIC DEFLECTOR, ALLOWING THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME A PHYSICAL HAZARD, WHEN AN OBJECT HITS IT WITH PENETRATING FORCE. THE SECONDARY ISSUE IS NUMEROUS WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS, WHICH MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT COVER THEREBY CAUSING RECURRING, AND TREMENDOUS, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON AN OWNER. REAR TAILGATE HATCH: BREAKS AND HANGS BY WIRING HARNESS ALONE, MAKING THE TAILGATE/REAR HATCH VIRTUALLY INACCESSIBLE AND UNUSABLE. THIS THEN BECOMES A NUISANCE FACTOR AS WELL AS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN AN OWNER WOULD NEED TO ACCESS AND REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE. SINCE LICENSE PLATE ILLUMINATION IS REQUIRED BY LAW, A BROKEN HATCH HANDLE CLEARLY PUTS AN OWNER IN VIOLATION OF THIS LAW, THEREBY CAUSING LEGAL IMPLICATIONS AND EXCESS COST FACTORS WHEN HE OR SHE RECEIVES A TICKET FOR A NON-OPERATIONS TAG LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10447519 · filed Feb 11, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MOTHER SUFFERED FROM COSTOCHONDRITIS AS A RESULT OF THE EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR IN 2004 TOYOTA SCION XB NOT LOCKING WHEN VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. THIS CAUSED HER CHEST TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL, INJURING THE RIBS AND CARTILAGE ON THE FRONT OF THE CHEST. *TR

NHTSA ID 10313984 · filed Feb 24, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SCION XB. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BEGAN TO SHRED AND THE THREADS SEPARATED ONE BY ONE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FIVE YEAR/60,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE SEAT BELT; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE SEAT BELT. THE FAILURE WOULD COST $200 PLUS $150 PER HOUR IN LABOR. THE CONTACT IS WAITING TO SEE IF THE FAILURE WORSENS BEFORE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,005. UPDATED 09/11/09 *BF UPDATED 09/15/09.*JB

NHTSA ID 10279462 · filed Aug 5, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SCION XB. WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH, THE GARNISH LATCHING ATTACHMENT FRACTURED AND CREATED SHARP PLASTIC EDGES. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE REAR HATCH DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,850.

NHTSA ID 10597660 · filed Jun 11, 2014

THE REAR DOOR LATCH HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND AFTER TRYING TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO. I REPLACED THE PART AT THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF ALMOST $300. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN IN NOV. 2012. IT IS A HIGH STRESS PART THAT IS HELD ON BY 2 VERY SMALL CHEAP PLASTIC BRACKETS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10486253 · filed Nov 27, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT WOULD REV UP BUT NOT SHIFT UNTIL I LET OFF THE GAS. AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS, IT WOULD JUMP INTO GEAR. THIS HAPPENED AFTER ALMOST 2 YEARS OLD AND 30,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID 10159329 · filed Jun 8, 2006

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED IT. *AK

NHTSA ID 10148873 · filed Jan 27, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING POSTED SPEED ON INTERSTATE 71 SOUTHBOUND FROM CLEVELAND TOWARDS COLUMBUS OHIO, MY CAR DOWNSHIFTED BY ITSELF AND KEPT SLOWING DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR HAD STALLED. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR. IT WOULD CRANK NORMALLY BUT WOULD NOT START. I CHECKED ALL THE FLUIDS, THEY WERE AT OPERATING LEVELS. I PERFORMED A VISUAL CHECK UNDER THE CAR AND HOOD FOR FLUID LEAKS. THERE WERE NONE. I CALLED A NEARBY (40 MILES) TOYOTA DEALER WHO DISPATCHED A TOW TRUCK TO PICK US UP AND BRING THE CAR TO THEIR REPAIR CENTER IN DELAWARE OHIO. THIS OCCURRED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, AND AS OF THIS WRITING ALL THEY AT BYERS TOYOTA, SUSPECT IS A POSSIBLE ECM FAILURE. THEY ARE STILL TROUBLESHOOTING. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE CAR START AND RUN SUCCESSFULLY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10341759 · filed Jul 7, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .