Is the 2012 Scion XB reliable?

The 2012 Scion XB has 58 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Scion XB?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (27 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (9 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Scion XB?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Scion dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Scion XB?

The 2012 Scion XB gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Scion XB?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Scion XB is approximately $1,463/year (wagon class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Scion XB

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Scion XB has 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 58. The most common issue is air bags problems (47% of all complaints), specifically: i was t-boned on march 6th, 2013 on the driver's side. i was in a scion xb and the person who hit me was in a chevy silverado. the impact was estimated at 45 mph and the door was jammed shut. no air bags deployed. the curtain airbag should have which would have lessened the impact. as a result, t. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 14 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

27 complaints

47%

• I WAS T-BONED ON MARCH 6TH, 2013 ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS IN A SCION XB AND THE PERSON WHO HIT ME WAS IN A CHEVY SILVERADO. THE IMPACT WAS ESTIMATED AT 45 MPH AND THE DOOR WAS JAMMED SHUT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CURTAIN AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE WHICH WOULD HAVE LESSENED THE IMPACT. AS A RESULT, T
• TAKATA RECALL NO REMEDY FOR UNSAFE AIR-BAG MORE THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL. I TRANSPORT DISABLED INDIVIDUALS USING THE SCION XB AND NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE NYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO ASSESS AND COMMUNICATE WITH CLIENTS.
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION XB. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I WAS T-BONED ON MARCH 6TH, 2013 ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS IN A SCION XB AND THE PERSON WHO HIT ME WAS IN A CHEVY SILVERADO. THE IMPACT WAS ESTIMATED AT 45 MPH AND THE DOOR WAS JAMMED SHUT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CURTAIN AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE WHICH WOULD HAVE LESSENED THE IMPACT. AS A RESULT, T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Scion XB

Based on 28 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 120K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 150-200K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 64K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 160K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 162K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 165K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC20/09/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.

Risk: Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Scion XB

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Scion XB

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,463

Full coverage / month

$122

Liability only / year

$607

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (wagon)0.95x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1463

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 58 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS T-BONED ON MARCH 6TH, 2013 ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS IN A SCION XB AND THE PERSON WHO HIT ME WAS IN A CHEVY SILVERADO. THE IMPACT WAS ESTIMATED AT 45 MPH AND THE DOOR WAS JAMMED SHUT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CURTAIN AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE WHICH WOULD HAVE LESSENED THE IMPACT. AS A RESULT, T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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 EXTING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF FROM ENTIRE ROOF AND OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. IT STARTED WITH JUST A FEW SMALL SPOTS AND THEN QUICKLY PROGRESSED TO LARGE SHEETS OF PAINT FALLING OFF. I CONTACTED LOCAL BODY SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS UNUSUAL PAINT PROBLEM AND, THEY SUGGESTED CONTACTING TOYOTA DEALER.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 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 TRAN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Scion dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)