MYRModel Year Report

2012 Scion xB

▲ Better than typical
2012 Scion xB
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:36:03.723Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
45
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

60% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 37 complaints 2005: 92 complaints 2005 2006: 253 complaints 2007: 3 complaints 2007 2008: 339 complaints 2009: 140 complaints 2009 2010: 55 complaints 2011: 54 complaints 2012: 45 complaints 2012 45 2013: 13 complaints 2014: 9 complaints 2015: 6 complaints 2015
2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 37 complaints 2004 2005: 92 complaints 2005 2006: 253 complaints 2006 2007: 3 complaints 2007 2008: 339 complaints 2008 2009: 140 complaints 2009 2010: 55 complaints 2010 2011: 54 complaints 2011 2012: 45 complaints 2012 45 2013: 13 complaints 2013 2014: 9 complaints 2014 2015: 6 complaints 2015
2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 37 complaints 2004 2005: 92 complaints 2005 2006: 253 complaints 2006 2007: 3 complaints 2007 2008: 339 complaints 2008 2009: 140 complaints 2009 2010: 55 complaints 2010 2011: 54 complaints 2011 2012: 45 complaints 2012 45 2013: 13 complaints 2013 2014: 9 complaints 2014 2015: 6 complaints 2015

2012: 45 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20020
20031
200437
200592
2006253
20073
2008339
2009140
201055
201154
201245
201313
20149
20156

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

60% · 27 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I was t-boned on March 6TH, 2013 on the driver's side. I was in a Scion xB and the person who hit me was in a chevy silverado. The impact was estimated at 45 MPH and the door was jammed shut. No air bags deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-15

Engine

18% · 8 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Scion xB. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated, the steering wheel was tight, and smoke emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-11-05

Engine is burning oil.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-29

I have to add oil every 500 to 800 miles no visible smoke from engine or exhaust when cold or hot. ???? HELP

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-15

Structure

16% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing body and hood.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-02

Also filed under Service brakes and service brakes, hydraulic

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-05-21

Service brakes

13% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Electrical system

7% · 3 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While parking smoke or steam started coming from under the hood and me thinking the car was over heating pulled the hood release and before I could open the hood flames shoot from the right fender.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-07-16

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2017-02-01Air bags17V006000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2018-11-16Service brakes, hydraulic18E091000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2019-02-15Air bags19V005000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-11-20Air bags19V741000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Scion xB — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 17V006000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18E091000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 19V005000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V741000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Scion xB reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Scion xB is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Scion xB?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Scion xB have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-27 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.