Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Scion XB problems

Owners filed 14 complaints about the 2013 Scion XB with NHTSA between Apr 2014 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (5).

Complaints
14
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine5
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Air bags4
  4. Service brakes2
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1
  6. Exterior lighting1
  7. Structure1
  8. Other / unknown2

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20142
20150
20160
20171
20181
20191
20200
20213
20221
20232
20240
20251
20262

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

5 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Scion XB. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, requiring approximately 5 quarts of oil to be added every 1,000 miles. The low oil pressure warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not exhibiting excessive oil consumption. The contact received notification of a Warranty Enhancement Program: ZE7 (Excessive Engine Oil Consumption). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the warranty had expired in 2016. Additionally, based on online research, the contact associated the failure with low-tension piston rings. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that a voluntary coverage had previously been provided to affected vehicles. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026EngineODI 11766757

Electrical system

4 reports1 crash1 fire
“Hi, Air bag light started intermittently flashing in January. Toyota could not diagnose until it was on all the time. Charged me $89.95. Air bag light stays on all the time 04-25-21. Take it to Toyota and diagnose intermittent open in driver side front door harness in circuit to left front door air bag sensor. $272.88. Want an additional $739.78 to replace harness. This is same problem that has been recalled on Toyota Venza and Avalon to the best of my knowledge. Harness is too short and rubs on door frame, causing open circuit. I believe this is an overall Toyota/Scion problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2021Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11418123

Air bags

4 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“DRIVERS DOOR AIR BAG HARNESS HAS AN OPEN CODE. PART # 82152-12L23. SAME PROBLEM THST TOYOTA HAS WITH RECALLED VENZA. TOYOTA WANTS OVER $1,000 TO FIX. AIR BAG LIGHT ON ALL OF THE TIME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2021Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11415634

Service brakes

2 reports1 crash
“THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT!! I JUST WANTED TO INFORM YOU THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS SCION AND VIN DOESN'T APPLY TO THIS MODEL. CAN THIS RECALL (18E091) NOTICE BE TAKEN OFF PLEASE?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2021Service brakesODI 11397707

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report1 crash1 fire
“CLUTCH, 2013, WAGON, XB, TANAKA, HUMID, SMOKING, MELTING, SMELL, FLUIDS. WHEN I DROVE THIS LEMON OFF THE LOT IT HAD 17 MILES. 2013 SCION, XB, CLUTCH, WAGON, 4 DOOR, SILVER, LIMITED EDITION?????? [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2019Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11164937

Exterior lighting

1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION XB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND LUBRICATED THE LOCK. THE REMEDY FOR THE TRUCK FAILED TO REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BAR BEHIND THE BUMPER ASSEMBLY WAS CROOKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,800.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2014Exterior lighting, StructureODI 10577326
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.