RoadVitals

2011 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.
54
Latest Dec 6, 2023
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 Oct 17, 2019
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.
1
1 currently open
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.
5
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 54 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Scion Xb, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and brakes categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 142 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

  • Airbags4169.5%
  • Engine813.6%
  • Brakes35.1%
  • Body & structure35.1%
  • Tires & wheels11.7%
  • Driver assistance11.7%
  • Electrical11.7%
  • Steering11.7%

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

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

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Oct 17, 2019
928,220 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number J0A, J0B, J0C, JLIView on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 9, 2019
1,299,448 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Sep 20, 2018
544 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.
The risk: Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number J0UView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA21002OpenEngineering Analysis

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021

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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 6, 2023

I purchased my 2011Scion XB 09/08/2010 and in the last 12 months, my scion XB has been burning oil extremely fast. I have to add oil to the vehicle approximately every 4-5 weeks. I’ve taken it to the the Toyota dealership and was advised that the only way to fix the issue is by getting a new engine. Also, every time I break, there is a grinding sound even if with new break pads, and the steering column shakes. The tires sensors have malfunctioned because even after having the tires professionally replaced or filled, the light never goes off. Lastly, the vehicle door sensors are also not working properly.

NHTSA ID
11558834
Incident
Dec 2, 2022
Steering
Filed Jun 27, 2023

The steering becomes hard to control after being on the highway for around 40-60 mins. It is hard to keep the vehicle on track because the steering is "sticky" and it takes more force to keep the vehicle in its lane, hence we wander within the lane and appear to be either drunk or not in full control. The problem is intermittent but does occur at various degrees on any given day. We are afraid there will be an accident when we cannot control correctly.

NHTSA ID
11529194
Incident
Jun 10, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Jan 29, 2020

DEFECTIVE REAR HATCH LATCH. FREQUENTLY SHOWS TO BE UNLATCHED DESPITE BEING LATCHED. CAN'T TELL IF A DOOR IS UNLATCHED SINCE IT IS ONE INDICATOR FOR ALL DOORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN HOT OR IF THE SUN SHINES ON REAR OF CAR. INDICATES UNLATCHED PARKED OR IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11302793
Incident
Jan 29, 2020
Mileage
56,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 26, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SCION XB. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000(AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. FIORE TOYOTA (1000 S LOGAN BLVD, HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA 16648, (814) 247-0102) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11282466
Incident
May 23, 2016
Engine
Filed Apr 15, 2019

"OIL COMP RECALL" WENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TALKED TO THE ASSTI SERVICE MANAGER AND WAS TOLD I COULD NOT DO THE RECALL THERE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE PLACE THAT FIRST TESTED IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT WAS TESTED IN ALABAMA I LIVE IN FL. WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS IN FINAL STAGES THAT THEY JUAT HAVE TO PREFORM THE RECALL THE FINAL STEP. WHICH IS THE WORK. THE ASSTI MANAGER WAS VERY VERY RUDE AND TOLD ME ID HAVE TO GO TO ALABAMA TO GET IT DONE. I AM LOSIBG ATLEAAT 2 QTS OR MORE OF OIL EVERY 2 WEEKS. THIS IS CAUSING ALOT OF ISSUES RUNNING WISE. MY CAT CONVERTER WENT OUT DUE TO THIS AS WELL. I WANT TO GET IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE CAUSE I HAVE A LITTLE GIRL AND ITS MY DAILY AND I DONT WANT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
11196579
Incident
Apr 15, 2019
Mileage
106,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Jan 14, 2019
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY SOUNDED LIKE PARTS OF THE ENGINE WERE FALLING OUT OF THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE FREEWAY. THE CAR DIED. MY SON AND I PUSHED THE SMOKING VEHICLE 200 FEET TO A APARTMENT COMPLEX ENTRANCE. THE VEHICLE THEN IGNITED IN FLAMES, AND I CALLED 911.

NHTSA ID
11169875
Incident
Jan 11, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 31, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A MINOR EAR INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT CALLED AN AUTO FINANCE COMPANY, BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11164247
Incident
Dec 18, 2018
Mileage
153,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 25, 2018

I BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN TSB NO. SB0024-11R2. HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/ARTICLES/2007-2015-SCION-TC-XB-PISTON-ISSUE-1420682965001/. A FRIEND WHO SELLS CARS SENT ME THAT LINK SAT JULY 21. I HAD NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE SUCH AN ISSUE EXISTED AND THAT BULLETIN WAS DATED 12.22.2015. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, MY CAR SUDDENLY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING FROM THE MOMENT I TURNED IT ON AND PULLED AWAY FROM THE CURB AND THROUGHOUT THE DAY DRIVING MOSTLY ON CITY STREETS. (95% OF MY DRIVING IS ON CITY STREETS A SHORT DISTANCE FROM HOME. I AM A PROFESSIONAL DOG WALKER AND PICK UP CLIENTS' DOGS AND TAKE THEM TO CITY PARKS FOR OFF LEASH WALKS & HIKES). AFTER A FEW DAYS OF THIS, I CALLED SF TOYOTA IN DALY CITY WHERE I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICING THE ENTIRE TIME SINCE PURCHASE IN MARCH 2014. I HAD TO WAIT OVER A WEEK FOR THE SOONEST APPOINTMENT THE DAY I BROUGHT MY CAR IN, IT STARTED SMOKING ON THE FREEWAY AND SHUT OFF. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. 2 DAYS LATER, ON FRIDAY JULY 25, 2018, TOYOTA INFORMED ME THERE WAS A HOLE IN MY ENGINE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT COULD HAVE GOTTEN THERE. I WENT IN THE FOLLOWING DAY TO RETRIEVE BELONGINGS FROM MY CAR AND SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER RAY. HE SHOWED ME THE HOLE AND A PART OF MY ENGINE THAT CAME OFF AND WAS FOUND UNDER THE HOOD SOMEWHERE, CAUSING THE HOLE- THE CONNECTING ROD. THE CONNECTING ROD WAS GOUGHED UP PRETTY BADLY AND I SAW ANOTHER PIECE OF IT STUCK DOWN SOMEWHERE. THE HOLE HAD WHAT LOOKED LIKE METAL SHAVINGS IN IT AND I ASKED IF THAT WAS WHY THE ROD WAS GOUGHED UP AND IF THAT'S WHAT THE METAL SHAVINGS WERE FROM AND RAY NODDED YES AND SAID MOST LIKELY YES. HE TOLD ME IF I WANTED TO TRY AND GET ANY ASSISTANCE FROM TOYOTA, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $2-3K TO HAVE THEM REMOVE AND INSPECT MY ENGINE AND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD HELP.

NHTSA ID
11113498
Incident
Jul 13, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

Z2G_Dealer_Lette

STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement.

Z3G_Dealer_Lette

STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement.

ZKG_Dealer_Lette

STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement

Takata CSP Cover

AIR BAGS

CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022

22TE04 - Takata

AIR BAGS

CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators or repaired under a recall with Takata airbag inflators to provide coverage for repairs of the airbag inflator contained in the airbag module. This CSP letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement. This is NOT a recall or a campaign, but is provided to reassure owners that Toyota stands behind the reliability of our vehicles.

Support Program

STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement

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
2011Viewing546158.8
2010558158.5
200914011160.9
20083399158.9
2007350
200625311054.2
2005927054.8
2004376054.7
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.