Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Scion XB problems
Owners filed 45 complaints about the 2012 Scion XB with NHTSA between Apr 2013 and May 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (27).
Complaints
45
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags27
- Engine8
- Structure7
- Service brakes5
- Electrical system3
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Wheels1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Suspension1
- Other / unknown3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
0
1
2
24
4
5
2
0
1
2
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
27 reports1 crash3 related recalls
“NHTSA RE ALL NO. 16V-340 & 17V-006 2012 TOYOTA SCION I TOOK THE VEICLE TO REPAIR AFTER THAT I DIDN'T REVIVE ANY NOTIFICATION OF RECALL , I DID FILE A COMPLAINT NEVER RECIVE ANY NOTIFICATION IT LOOKS LIKE MY CAR IT'S BEEN SOLD TO ANOTHER AGENCY WITHOUT MY NOTIFICATION AND AUTORIZACIN I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS WITHOUT KNOWING THE SITUATION.”
Engine
8 reports4 crashes1 fire
“NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I TURNED A CORNER. IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO DEALER, WHERE I HAVE ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE (EXCEPT ONCE). CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE NO OIL IN IT BEFORE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THIS HAPPENED 6 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY AND WAS THOUGHT TO BE A PVC PLUG ISSUE. WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE WITH EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO WORN PISTON RINGS, ULTIMATELY THE FAULT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF ETHANOL IN GASOLINE. SOLUTION - KEEP CHECKING THE OIL AND ADD AS NEEDED. NOT WORTH REPAIRING THE PISTON RINGS.”
Structure
7 reports4 crashes
“Driver was traveling at 75 mph when the hood suddenly released. Both latches failed and the hood flew up against the windshield with enough force to crease the hood and dent the roof. Inside the vehicle, the done light and the rear view mirror were knocked loose. Incident occurred at night with no other traffic on the road and Driver was able to pull over without further incident. If there had been other vehicles, the sudden lack of visibility would likely have resulted in a crash.”
Service brakes
5 reports4 crashes
“RECALL ID287614 NHTSA CAMPAIGN #18E091000 MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JAN 10TH, DUE TO FAILURE OF BRAKES. MY CAR RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. MY CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED IN THIS ACCIDENT. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT MY ACCIDENT AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO HELP COMPENSATE FOR MY LOSS. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE FOR INSPECTION. I WOULD LIKE FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM LOSING MY VEHICLE FINANCIALLY AND I DO BELIEVE 100% THAT THIS RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. ATTACHED IS THE DOCUMENTS FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE.”
Electrical system
3 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION XB. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO A FAULTY COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.”
Latches/locks/linkages
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.