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Scion XBModel year report

2010 Scion XB Problems

Compared with other Scion XB years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011, 2012

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
55filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
48,019miles, 25 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Scion XB (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2010 Scion xB most often describe the Takata passenger airbag recall, where repairs were delayed because replacement parts were not available and some owners were told not to carry a front passenger. Brake complaints describe soft or spongy pedals, brakes that fail to engage, and overheating rotors, and a smaller set of reports describe sudden acceleration when the foot is on the brake or the accelerator sticks. The complaint trend is recorded as falling, and mileage is missing from much of the data, so the recall waits and brake reports are hard to place by age or mileage.

  1. Air bags

    Takata airbag recall repair parts unavailable

    • 22 complaints (40%)
    • median 85,393 mi at 6.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2011–2020

    Owners describe receiving the Takata passenger airbag recall notice and then waiting for a repair, because replacement parts were not available or no repair date was given. Some complaints say the wait exceeded a reasonable time, and that the dealer confirmed parts were not available. Some owners say they were told not to carry a front-seat passenger until the airbag was replaced, which they describe as impractical for families. The only mileage stated in this group is 50,000 miles, and the waits described range from months to more than a year.

    Recall 16V340000Recall 18V024000Recall 19V7410002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask the seller whether the Takata passenger airbag recall repair has been completed, and check the recall status for the vehicle with the manufacturer's VIN lookup. Ask whether the Takata customer support program bulletin applies to this vehicle, since a support program bulletin covers these inflators.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall I received a recall notice back in june 9, 2016 and to date have had no further updates or information that this will be fixed. The only thing indicated was do not have a passenger sit in the front seat. This is almost next to impossible as I have to take my mother to places as well as other family members. This is unacceptable and I want this potential death hazard repaired.”

    NHTSA complaint #10918826, filed 2016-10

    “Takata airbags. I have been waiting over 6 momths for word on when my airbags will be repaired. I have had to make numerous cross state trips with my kids in this possible death trap. I called today and was told there was no announced date for repair as of yet. This is beyond a reasonable amount of time for repairs and want a solution asap as I have to drive my car and transport passengers.”

    NHTSA complaint #10935445, filed 2016-12
  2. Brakes

    Brakes that feel soft, fail, or lock up

    • 8 complaints (15%)
    • median 41,928 mi at 4.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2018

    Owners describe a spongy or soft brake pedal, brakes that felt loose, and stopping distances that increased or were inconsistent. In some complaints the brakes failed to engage or the pedal fell toward the floor before the brakes returned, and rotors overheated and squealed even after the dealer resurfaced them. A complaint describes the ABS, brake, and stability warning lights staying on, with the brakes locking up on slippery roads. Where mileage is stated it ranges from 5,000 to 96,000 miles, and the complaints describe problems while driving, including at about 45 mph on a bumpy road.

    What to check: Ask whether the rotors, brake lines, and ABS system have been inspected for air in the hydraulic system and for warning lights. On a test drive, check that the pedal feels firm, the car stops evenly, and no brake or ABS warning lights come on.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving in 1-2 inches of slush and snow my tires began to slip and the my vehicle regained control. It happened as I was turning into a culdesac. This had happened before and the normal stability vsc light would flash and alert me however this time the ABS, brakes, vsc, and no stability control light came on and stayed on. I have reset the display, let the vehicle set over night, disconnected the battery and the lights remain on. My brakes lock up and the tires spin out on a whim. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10817757, filed 2016-01, 96,000 miles

    “The first time my brakes stopped working was in the endings of may of 2010, I was in a bumpy road going about 45 MPH. I was nearing a stop sign and my brakes would not work. The brake pedal would touch the floor until I received signals that it was working. It did this about 3-4 times. I took my car in that same day and nothing was found to be wrong. Six months later, this same incident happened again. But this time I was in a traffic area and people around. My brakes would not work, they were again doing the same thing. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10382941, filed 2011-02
  3. Vehicle speed control

    Sudden acceleration or a sticking accelerator

    • 5 complaints (9%)
    • median 91,500 mi at 4.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2018

    Owners describe the engine revving and the car surging forward while the foot is on the brake, at very low speed or nearly stopped. A complaint describes an accelerator pedal that stuck, and says the dealer planned a test drive to reproduce it. Another complaint describes the car surging forward while pulling into a driveway, which the driver stopped with the brakes and the emergency brake. Where mileage is stated it ranges from 2,200 to 202,000 miles, and the surges are described at very low speed or while nearly stopped.

    What to check: Press and release the accelerator pedal to check that it returns smoothly, and ask whether the throttle or pedal has been inspected. Ask the seller whether any surge or sticking incidents were reported to a dealer, and request service records for the pedal and throttle.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While pulling into my driveway my accelerator suddenly surged forward into a brick plantar box, I was able to stop the vehicle with the brakes and emergency hand brake, although the gas pedal has always been sensitive the surge of acceleration has not been this excessive until now. Toyota states there has not been any claims on this vehicle...”

    NHTSA complaint #10587439, filed 2014-05, 68,000 miles

    “Returned accelerator problem to dealer was told they would test drive it to try to duplicate the sticking. Then would contact toyota to see what toyota wanted to do about it . I feel toyota should be forced o buy back all of the vehicles they sold which are clearly potential death traps. Toyota tells me there is no electronic problem, while at the same time admitting they have no idea whatsoever what is causing sticky gas pedals. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10316654, filed 2010-03, 2,200 miles

Buying note. Confirm that the Takata passenger airbag recall repair has been completed, since complaints in this group describe long waits for parts. Ask for brake service records, including any rotor or hydraulic repairs, and test the accelerator and brake pedals before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 47 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 55 consumer complaints for the 2010 Scion XB. 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 52% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,019 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 135 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 Scion XB model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “We question why none of the 4 airbags (2 sides, driver or passenger) deployed in a crash that had the 2010 Scion XB airborne. And the vehicle rolled resting upright on the front of the car. The injuries were predominantly seatbelt bruises and a fractured kneecap. The multiple impacts during rolling may have been too low to initiate an airbag deployment or it could indicate a problem. What should be done to determine whether the response was appropriate? The car will likely be totaled by state farm. …”

NHTSA complaint #10315040, filed 2010-03, 5,000 miles

Brakes: “Brake pedal feels spongy. It feels like there is air inside the hydraulic system. The car takes longer to stop time to time. The braking is inconsistent. This is a very big safety problem in this car.”

NHTSA complaint #10341324, filed 2010-07, 13,000 miles

Body and structure: “I have a rs 7.0 which has the body kit. Very often, when I turn, especially if there is a passenger or extra weight in the car, it sounds as though the front wheels are scraping against the body of the car. Of course, the dealer can't hear the sound at all. But that is what I expected. I just hope that when the tire blows because of wear, I don't get killed. The car is almost three months old and this has been happening since I bought it.”

NHTSA complaint #10352456, filed 2010-08, 100 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Two incidents within the last month (june-july 2018) of unintended acceleration. Both times occured while nearly stopped, with foot on the brake pedal. The engine revs as if hitting the accelerator, but foot is on brake. Had to press hard on brake to keep from lurching forward. Lasted 2-3 seconds.”

NHTSA complaint #11110485, filed 2018-07, 202,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

52% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 96,000 miles.

36%0–104%10–2512%25–5012%50–7512%75–10016%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (25 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 48,019 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2011201420171620202025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Scion XB version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
xB FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual222824$2,800
xB FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic222824$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2010 Scion XB → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 135 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 135 bulletins →

Other model years of the Scion XB

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2015623,4282—24—Not enough data
2014959,5002—24—Not enough data
20131441,5002—24—Not enough data
20124590,0003—240 · FewerStable
20115463,2485—2415 · FewerRising
20105548,0197—2450 · TypicalFalling
200914075,00010—2490 · MoreFalling
200833951,0008—24100 · MoreRising
200625328,5005—28Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20059259,0001—29Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20043765,4550—29Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Scion XB model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Scion XB?

Owners of this 2010 Scion xB most often describe the Takata passenger airbag recall, where repairs were delayed because replacement parts were not available and some owners were told not to carry a front passenger. The issues reported most often: Takata airbag recall repair parts unavailable; Brakes that feel soft, fail, or lock up; Sudden acceleration or a sticking accelerator.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Scion XB have?

NHTSA recorded 55 consumer complaints for the 2010 Scion XB as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Scion XB is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 27 complaints (49% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.

Has the 2010 Scion XB been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Scion XB get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Scion XB (xB, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 22 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Scion XB reported?

Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,019 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 96,000 miles; 52% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.