VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Toyota Scion xB2004–2015
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Toyota Scion xB
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Toyota Scion xB Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 213 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
6 recalls · 154 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
7 recalls · 77 complaints
14 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Toyota Scion xB — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 90 | 56 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 86 | 50 | 73 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 80 | 45 | 68 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 3 | 23 | — | — | 62 | 41 | 55 | Good |
| 2011 | 4 | 28 | — | — | 52 | 38 | 47 | Good |
| 2010 | 4 | 39 | — | — | 50 | 38 | 46 | Good |
| 2009 | 7 | 77 | 14 | — | 28 | 38 | 32 | Caution |
| 2008 | 6 | 213 | 13 | — | 34 | 38 | 35 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 75 | 38 | 62 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 6 | 154 | 4 | — | 38 | 38 | 38 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 3 | 59 | 25 | — | 45 | 38 | 43 | Caution |
| 2004 | 3 | 32 | 6 | — | 52 | 38 | 47 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Toyota Scion xB Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Scion xB compares — best year within each era shown.
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2015 (Buyer Score 78).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Scion xB to buy?+
The 2015 Toyota Scion xB scores highest on our Buyer Score (78/100) — combining a reliability score of 90/100 with a value score of 56/100. It has 2 recalls and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Scion xB years have the most problems?+
The 2008, 2006, 2009 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2008 Scion xB leads with 6 recalls and 213 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Scion xB problems?+
The most frequently reported Toyota Scion xB issues involve: AIR BAGS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, VISIBILITY, ENGINE. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.