The Lemon Index
200920112nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: brakes
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Honda Fit 622010 Toyota Yaris 452010 Nissan Versa 25
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V741000 (airbags), 19V005000 (airbags) and 18E091000 (brakes) done? It has 8 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?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Scion sent dealers 135 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “2008-2011 xb”?
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 13 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 1K to 7K miles (2K to 11K km) on the car (10 of all 13 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.
In owners' words
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.
2010 Scion xB owner · NHTSA complaint 10341324
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 2010 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 135 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2008-2011 xb
- In limited cases vehicles being serviced for ze7 will require a replacement short block
- Some 2007 2010 model year tc and 2008 2015 model year xb vehicles equipped with the 2az-fe…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Brakes · recall issued 2018
Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.
Show all 8 recalls
- 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.
- 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.
- 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…
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. 2010 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 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/scion-xb/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Scion xB reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Scion xB reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 51; 100 is average, lower is better). 2010 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.3× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2010 Scion xB problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (23%), visibility (15%) and speed control (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Scion xB have?
8 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 2010 Scion xB get?
24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Scion xB have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 Scion xB cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Scion xB have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Scion xB year than the 2010?
Not nearby: the 2010 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Scion xB years within 3 model years of it.
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