2012 Scion XB problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 45 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 27 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication: Oil Cooler | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
Air Bags: 27; Engine: 8; Structure:Body: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Electrical System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication: Oil Cooler: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 24; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10546688 · 2013-10-03 (October 3, 2013)
LOSS OF VACUUM PRESSURE TO POWER BRAKE BOOSTER UNDER DECELERATION AT 10MPH AND UNDER. MY VEHICLE IS A 2012 SCION XB AUTOMATIC. THERE IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF VACUUM PRESSURE TO THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER DURING DECELERATION AROUND 10MPH WHICH CAUSE THE BRAKES TO BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE THE MOMENT THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS, REQUIRING ME TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL A LITTLE HARDER TO CONTINUE STOPPING THE VEHICLE AT THE RATE I DEEM AS "SAFE". ISSUE IS WORSENED WHEN THE A/C IS RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS 1-20 TIMES W/O A/C AND 20-20 TIMES WITH THE A/C TURNED …
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11205215 · 2019-05-02 (May 2, 2019)
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. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT MY ACCIDENT AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO HELP COMPENSATE FOR MY LOSS. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE FOR INSPECTION. I WOULD LIKE FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM LOSING MY VEHICLE FINANCIALLY AND I DO BELIEVE 100% T…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10788538 · 2015-11-05 (November 5, 2015)
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. THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR; HOWEVER, NO ONE WAS SENT FOR A YEAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD A FIRE INSPECTOR WHO D…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10788538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11133632 · 2018-10-06 (October 6, 2018)
ON 9/20/18 DRIVING EXITING A HIGHWAY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON A CITY STREET AS I WAS DECREASING SPEED THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. ON 9/24/18 AGAIN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY STUCK IN TRAFFIC THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN HAD TO PUT IN PARK AND TURN THE KEY TO GET IT TO START AGAIN. 9/28/18 WOULDNT START WHEN PARKED HAD TO REPEATEDLY TURN THE KEY TO GET THE IGNITION TO START. THEN ON 10/5/18 DRIVING 50MPH ON A CITY STREET TURNING ON THE HEADLIGHTS THE IGNITION COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS BACK OFF THE CAR TURNED ON AGAIN, …
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11133632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10885190 · 2016-07-16 (July 16, 2016)
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. I RUN INTO HOME DEPOT AND YELL TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ASK IF ANYONE HAS A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND A YOUNG MAN CAME RUNNING OUT WITH A GOOD SIZE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE RAPID GROWING FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THAT THE FIRE WAS STARTED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE RIGHT FENDER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10885190 at NHTSA ↗