Scion xD Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Scion xD model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2006 drew the fewest (1) and the 2008 the most (67).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Steering | — | 29 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 1 | Suspension | — | 29 |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | Engine | — | 29 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | Air bags | — | 29 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
12 | 4 | Vehicle speed control | — | 29 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
23 | 6 | Electrical system | — | 28–29 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
67 | 5 | Service brakes | — | 28–29 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Scion xD years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2008 Scion xD: 67 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 29 (43%); Suspension 11 (16%); Vehicle speed control 9 (13%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 55,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Scion xD: 23 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 7 (30%); Vehicle speed control 5 (22%); Engine 3 (13%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,500 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Scion xD: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 3 (25%); Air bags 2 (17%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Scion xD years with the fewest complaints
2013 Scion xD: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 1 (50%); Tires 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Scion xD: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 2 (67%); Seats 1 (33%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Scion xD owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 49,500 |
| 2008 | 67 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Scion xD recalls
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2008–2009 model years; 2,519,424 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2012; 12V491000)
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2009–2010 model years; 1,814,284 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V689000)
- Seat Rail Spring Failure (2008–2010 model years; 472,388 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V169000)
- LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS (2006–2010 model years; 271,417 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2010; 10V035000)
- LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS (2008–2010 model years; 153,418 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2010; 10V036000)
All 7 Scion xD recall campaigns · Scion xD problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Scion xD years FAQ
Which Scion xD year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2006 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Scion xD years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2008, 2009 and 2010 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Scion xD problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (33 of 117 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Scion xD have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns covering the Scion xD. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Scion xD recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.