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Scion · NHTSA safety record

2013 Scion XB

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 14 safety complaints about the 2013 Scion XB with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the air bags.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 5 complaints, 36% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 41,500 miles, the median across the 9 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2014 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

14 complaints on file

14

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 5 · 36%
AIR BAGS 4 · 29%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 · 29%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 · 14%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 7%
STRUCTURE 1 · 7%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 14.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 3.

4 3 2 1
14 17 18 19 21 22 23 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2013 Scion XB. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V005000 · January 9, 2019

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 & Manufacturing · up to 1,299,448 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V024000 · January 9, 2018

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity 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 the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. 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 & Manufacturing · up to 628,018 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

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.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire · crash · towed · 876 miles

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] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint 11164937. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire

On April 22, 2022 the car burst into flames while parked in a supermarket parking lot at 1000 US Route 1, Edison, New Jersey. Fortunately I was not in it at the time but the car was a total loss. There were no warnings ahead of time.

NHTSA complaint 11478134. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · 10,500 miles

EARLIER TODAY I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON MY 2013 SCION XB. MY CAR'S FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD ARE COMPLETELY DAMAGE, ALONG WITH THE SIDE FENDERS, THE RADIATOR IS ALSO BROKEN AND OUT OF PLACE, EVEN THE FRAME IS A BIT BENT. THE BRAKES TOO A BIT LONGER THAN USUAL TO KICK-IN AND THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME MADE A SUDDEN STOP 'CAUSING A REAR COLLISION ON THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME (WHOM BY THE WAY TOOK OFF BEFORE I EVEN GOT OUT OF THE CAR). AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF (AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT I WAS WITH MY 1 YEAR OLD), LUCKILY MY SON AND I ARE SAFE BUT I'M THINGS COULD'VE GONE EITHER WAY, I DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT THAT MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD

NHTSA complaint 10627300, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

60,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11766757, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

41,500 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Scion XB. The contact stated while her daughter was driving or idling, the driver noticed an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was parked at the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 41,500.

NHTSA complaint 11741808. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Scion XB. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with engine oil consumption failure. The vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA complaint 11641161. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
This is a known issue with the 2013 Scion xB and several other models that use the same 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine. A number of Scion owners have reported excessive oil consumption, where the vehicle burns off or consumes engine oil faster than it should. This causes low oil levels which may lead to serious engine damage if not addressed in time. The problem is most noticeable on vehicles with high mileage or older models, as oil consumption can increase over time. In some cases, the excessive oil consumption could be a result of an oil leak, but more commonly, it's due to an engine problem. Possible reasons could include worn piston rings, faulty PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve, damaged

NHTSA complaint 11559534, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car is using a quarter of oil additional every 3000 miles

NHTSA complaint 11524217. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Scion XB

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2014 9 2 —
2012 45 3 —
2011 54 5 —
2010 55 7 —

Other 2013 Scion models

FR-S 179

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Scion on this site — 13 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst