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Japanese make · Discontinued

Scion Car Guide: Common Problems, Maintenance & Best Used Models

What Scion owners report most, model by model, drawn from 1,677 complaints filed with the U.S. safety regulator. Plus recalls, a service schedule and the model years to check carefully.

Data as of 2004 to 2016 model years

Quick facts

Scion

Origin
Japanese
Status
No longer sold new in the U.S.
Most complaints
xB (863)
Most-reported area
Engine
Busiest model year
2008 (425 complaints)
owner complaints on file with NHTSA
1,677
models with at least one complaint
8
of complaints mention engine
22%
recall campaigns covering the xB
22

01Common problems by model

Scion Common Problems by Model

The 7 Scion models with the most owner complaints, and the part of the car each complaint was about.

Scion models with the most NHTSA complaints, 2004 to 2016 model years
ModelComplaintsMost-reported areasModel year with the mostRecalls
xB863Airbags and visibility or wipers2008 (339)22
tC512Visibility or wipers and engine2005 (155)11
FR-S201Engine and powertrain2013 (179)7
xD38Electrical system and engine2009 (23)7
iQ24Engine and body structure2012 (17)1
iA23Engine and electrical system2016 (23)0
iM12Powertrain and electrical system2016 (12)1
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases, read on October 12, 2026. Complaints are reports filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so best-selling models appear higher.

The xB leads with 863 complaints, most of them about airbags and visibility or wipers. That does not make it the worst Scion. A model that sells in large numbers collects more reports, and these counts are not adjusted for sales.

Use the table to know where to look. If you own or are buying one of these models, ask about the area in the third column first, and price the repair with the repair cost estimator.

02Problem areas

Where Scion Problems Concentrate

Every Scion complaint names the part of the vehicle involved. These are the areas named most often across all 8 models.

By part of the vehicle

  1. Engine376 · 22%
  2. Airbags371 · 22%
  3. Visibility or wipers305 · 18%
  4. Body structure152 · 9%
  5. Brakes131 · 8%
  6. Electrical system105 · 6%

One complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

By model year

  1. 2005155
  2. 2006254
  3. 2007120
  4. 2008425
  5. 2009223
  6. 201186
  7. 201278
  8. 2013209
  9. 201439
  10. 201544
  11. 201644

Recent model years have had less time to gather complaints, so a short bar at the bottom is not yet good news.

03Best and worst used models

Scion Model Years to Check Carefully

The model years of each popular model that drew the most complaints. Start your questions there when you shop used.

How to choose a used car

  • 863 complaints

    Scion xB

    1. 2008339 complaints
      9 recalls
    2. 2006253 complaints
      11 recalls
    3. 2009140 complaints
      11 recalls

    Mostly about airbags and visibility or wipers.

  • 512 complaints

    Scion tC

    1. 2005155 complaints
      4 recalls
    2. 2007117 complaints
      2 recalls
    3. 200886 complaints
      3 recalls

    Mostly about visibility or wipers and engine.

  • 201 complaints

    Scion FR-S

    1. 2013179 complaints
      4 recalls
    2. 201514 complaints
      3 recalls
    3. 20145 complaints
      2 recalls

    Mostly about engine and powertrain.

  • 38 complaints

    Scion xD

    1. 200923 complaints
      6 recalls
    2. 20125 complaints
    3. 20144 complaints

    Mostly about electrical system and engine.

A year with many complaints is one to inspect closely, not one to rule out. The fault may have been fixed under recall, and a well-maintained car from a busy year can be a better buy than a neglected one from a quiet year.

Before you buy any used Scion, decode the VIN, check it for open recalls and follow the inspection checklist. A complaint count cannot tell you about the one car in front of you.

04Recalls

Scion Recalls by Model

The number of safety recall campaigns that cover each model, with the most recent ones listed.

  • Scion xB recalls

    22

    recall campaigns, 2006 to 2015 model years

    1. Oct 17, 2019Airbags: frontal19V741000
    2. Jan 9, 2019Airbags: frontal19V005000
    3. Sep 20, 2018Hydraulic brakes18E091000
    4. Jan 9, 2018Airbags: frontal18V024000
    5. Jan 9, 2017Airbags: frontal17V006000

  • Scion tC recalls

    11

    recall campaigns, 2005 to 2016 model years

    1. Sep 20, 2018Hydraulic brakes18E091000
    2. Jun 9, 2016Equipment: other16V420000
    3. Apr 22, 2016Tires16V236000
    4. Apr 17, 2015Suspension: rear15V228000
    5. Apr 9, 2013Equipment: other13V123000

  • Scion FR-S recalls

    7

    recall campaigns, 2013 to 2016 model years

    1. Nov 1, 2018Engine and cooling: engine18V772000
    2. Jun 9, 2016Equipment: other16V420000
    3. Apr 22, 2016Tires16V236000
    4. Feb 10, 2016Powertrain: automatic transmission16V075000
    5. Dec 30, 2014Equipment14V828000

  • Scion xD recalls

    7

    recall campaigns, 2006 to 2014 model years

    1. Oct 22, 2015Visibility: power window devices and controls15V689000
    2. Apr 9, 2014Seats14V169000
    3. Apr 9, 2013Equipment: other13V123000
    4. Oct 10, 2012Visibility: power window devices and controls12V491000
    5. Feb 3, 2010Equipment: other10V035000
Check your VIN at NHTSA

A recall is free to have repaired at a dealer of the parent manufacturer. The lookup shows only the recalls still open on your vehicle.

05Maintenance schedule

Scion Maintenance Schedule

Typical service intervals for a gasoline Scion. Your owner’s manual has the exact figures for your engine.

Build a schedule for your mileage
Typical maintenance intervals for a Scion
ServiceTypical intervalGood to know
Engine oil and filter5,000 to 10,000 milesFull synthetic sits at the long end. Short trips and towing shorten it.
Tire rotation5,000 to 8,000 milesEasiest to do at every oil change.
Cabin air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesSooner in dusty or high-pollen areas.
Engine air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesInspect at every oil change and replace when dirty.
Brake fluidEvery 2 years or 30,000 milesIt absorbs moisture with age, whatever the mileage.
Transmission fluid30,000 to 60,000 milesVaries widely, and some manuals allow longer. Use only the specified fluid.
Engine coolant30,000 to 60,000 milesLong-life coolants can go further. Never mix types.
Drive belt inspection60,000 to 100,000 milesReplace at the first cracks, fraying or squeal.
Timing belt, if fitted60,000 to 100,000 milesEngines with a timing chain do not have this service.
Spark plugs30,000 to 100,000 milesCopper plugs wear fastest. Iridium and platinum last longest.
Typical intervals drawn from AAA's maintenance guidance, not Scion's own schedule. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and use its severe-service intervals if you tow, make short trips or drive in extreme heat or cold.
Maintenance by mileageOil change calculatorWhat each service costs

06Manufacturer OBD2 codes

Scion OBD2 Codes

How to read the codes a Scion stores, and why some of them mean something different on another make.

A Scion stores two kinds of trouble code. Generic codes, which have 0 as their second character, mean the same thing on every make: P0420 is a catalyst efficiency fault on a Scion exactly as it is on any other car. Manufacturer-specific codes, which have 1 as their second character, are defined by Scion and can mean something different elsewhere.

We do not publish a list of Scion’s own P1 codes, because we could not verify one against Scion’s service information. For a P1 code, use a scanner that reads Scion codes, or ask a specialist to look it up.

Free toolLook up a generic codeMeaning, common causes and whether it is safe to keep driving.
How OBD2 code types work

07Related guides and tools

Next steps for Scion owners and buyers.

Guides

Free tools

All car brandsUsed car buying guide

08Questions

Scion: common questions.

What are the most common Scion problems?

Among 2004 to 2016 model-year Scion vehicles, the areas owners report most often to NHTSA are engine (22% of complaints), airbags (22% of complaints) and visibility or wipers (18% of complaints). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.

Which Scion model has the most complaints?

The xB, with 863 complaints on file for 2004 to 2016 model years. Its 2008 model year has the most, at 339. Popular models attract more complaints simply because more of them are on the road.

How do I check a Scion for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that exact vehicle, and recall repairs are carried out by the manufacturer's dealers at no charge.

How often does a Scion need servicing?

Most gasoline cars need an oil change and tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles and brake fluid every two years. Your Scion owner's manual gives the exact schedule for your engine.

Is Scion still sold in the United States?

No. Scion is no longer sold new in the United States, so every Scion on the market is a used car. Check its history, its recalls and its condition carefully before you buy.

09About this guide

Where the figures come from.

Every count on this page comes from records published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was read on . We count the records. We do not reproduce owners’ statements, and we do not rate or rank models ourselves.

CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Scion. The Scion name and logo belong to their owner and are used only to identify the make. Full disclaimer.

Sources

  1. [1]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle owner complaints database
  2. [2]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safety recalls by vehicle
  3. [3]AAA Automotive, Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist

Complaint counts cover 2004 to 2016 model years. Each complaint is counted once and assigned to the model named in the complaint. Counts change as new complaints are filed.