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Research · Subcompact Cars

2009 Scion XDRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2009 Scion XD. Most complaints involve electrical system (7) and vehicle speed control (5). The EPA rates it 28–29 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
28–29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
23
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

VisibilityReported Oct 22, 2015NHTSA 15V689000

Seats

Free remedy

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 22, 2005, through May 12, 2010, and 2008-2010 Scion xD vehicles manufactured April 4, 2007, through May 12, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the springs used for the seat rails on the driver's seat and the seat rails of the front passenger seat of three-door models may break.

SeatsReported Apr 9, 2014NHTSA 14V169000

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Free remedy

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

VisibilityReported Oct 10, 2012NHTSA 12V491000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

23 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – Apr 2025
  1. Electrical system7
  2. Vehicle speed control5
  3. Engine3
  4. Visibility3
  5. Suspension2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  8. Tires2
  9. Wheels1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each XD model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200923
20100
20113
20125
20132
20144
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

7 reports1 fire
“A RECA FOR MY POWER SWITCH MASTER CONTROL WAS ISSUED ON SEPT 15TH 2015 AND A FIX FOR THIS STILL HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED. THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN MY VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2021Electrical systemODI 11413066

Vehicle speed control

5 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SCION XD. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2017Vehicle speed controlODI 10968220

Engine

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SCION XD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V689000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,283. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ...UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF CONSUMER STATED MOTOR SHUT DOWN, ITS LOCATED IN THE GAS LINE/ FUEL LINE WITH HAVING MORE THAN 1 MOTOR AND NOT BE TOLD. POWER WINDOWS ON PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT IS WHERE THE 2ND AIR FILTER AND CAN'T FIND THE RIGHT AIR FILTER THAT FITS. CAR SOUND SYSTEM WOULD…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2016Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiperODI 10876887
All 2009 XD problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
xD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273329$2,200306
xD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263228$2,300317
  • xD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • xD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    26 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Scion XD as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 XD questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Scion XD have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Scion XD problems?

Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (7), vehicle speed control (5), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Scion XD get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Scion XD at 28–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026