The Lemon Index
200820102nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: brakes
Better years to buy
28 owner complaints, first 3 years 24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Honda Fit 1112009 Toyota Yaris 662009 Nissan Versa 101
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Scion xB
- Oil consumption8 complaints
Specific parts named in the 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Scion xB (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 40,000 miles (8,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V741000 (airbags), 18E091000 (brakes) and 18V024000 (airbags) done? It has 11 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Scion sent dealers 139 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Steering intermediate shaft knocking noise”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Scion's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 28 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 39K miles (8K to 64K km) on the car (24 of all 28 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 5.8M views · 2008–2015 Scion xB
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical206K views
Fusible Link, 2010 Scion xB, Remove Replace, Main Alternator Fuse, Disassemble Fuse Relay Box, BlockBryce Drennan · 76K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter125K views
How to Check the Automatic Transmission Oil Level on a 2009 Scion XBElecktro fe2 · 43K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils87K views
2009 SCION XB SPARK PLUG CHANGE/MAINTENANCEHigh Island DIY · 35K views · 4 videos - Brakes & ABS68K views
2008-2015 Scion XB Rear Brakes Pads and Rotor Replacement DIYValley Mobile Automotive · 29K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring68K views
How to replace head light bulb on scion xB 2008 and moreRB The Mechanic · 22K views · 5 videos - Death wobble & steering65K views
2008 SCION XB: HOW TO REPLACE the POWER STEERING ECMAmanita Recording · 52K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door64K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2009 Scion xB | AQ1102Filterheads · 51K views · 3 videos - Starter, alternator & belts41K views
Scion xB idler and tensioner pulley removal tips (2nd gen) 2008-2015swish · 13K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
Scion XB 2nd gen 2008 to 2015 common problems, defects, issues, recalls and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 65K views
Overview of the 2012 Scion XB, Reliability, & Recalls.Witchauto · 22K views
Top 5 Problems Scion xB Hatchback 2008-2015 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 14K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Scion told dealers about
Scion sent dealers 139 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering intermediate shaft knocking noise
- Condition with multiple warning lights illuminated
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- Brakes · recall issued 2018
Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 11 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
- Visibility · recall issued 2012
The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies.
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
- Body structure · recall issued 2008
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING 67 MY 2008-2009 SCION XB VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SPORTS GRILL OPTION AND ALSO SEVERAL RADIATOR GRILLS SOLD AS PARTS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Scion xB year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Scion xB years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/scion-xb/?y=2009" title="Scion xB reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/scion-xb/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Scion xB reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Scion xB reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 137; 100 is average, lower is better). The Scion xB year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Scion xB problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (21%), airbags (18%) and speed control (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Scion xB have?
11 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Scion xB get?
24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Scion xB problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 40,000 miles (8,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Scion xB have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Scion xB cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Scion xB have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Scion xB year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works