YearToAvoid

2014 Scion XB Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2014 Scion XB ranks best among all 11 model years, with just 9 complaints, a complaint index of 0, and 2 recalls covering airbags and body bolts. It ranks 11th worst (meaning safest) out of 11 years tracked.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#11 of 11 XB years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
9
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2014 Scion XB problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags3 (33%)
  2. Engine3 (33%)
  3. Structure & Body2 (22%)
  4. Brakes1 (11%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report severe engine oil consumption, sometimes with an illuminated oil warning light and a burning odor, with one case at 75,000 miles median mileage for engine complaints.
  • Some drivers describe the brake pedal feeling loose and failing to stop the vehicle, leading to a crash at a median mileage of 13,000 miles for brake complaints.
  • Airbag warning lights turned on due to a failed steering wheel spiral cable, and some owners reported long waits for Takata recall parts to become available.
  • Premature rust was reported on the roof near the windshield that a dealer painted over without fully addressing the corrosion.
  • One owner reported the passenger side running board detaching and hanging from the vehicle.
2014 Scion XB complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2015Sep 2018Mar 2019Jul 2019Jan 2020Aug 2020May 2025
9 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2015 to May 2025; peak Mar 2019 (3).

2014 Scion XB recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V005000Jan 9, 2019Airbags1,299,448 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

  2. NHTSA 14V828000Dec 30, 2014Other3,958 vehicles

    Equipment

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.

    Risk: Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.

2014 Scion XB fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other XB years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Good4045324
2013Good3013224
2014Best09224
2015Best206224

All Scion XB years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Scion XB reliable?
Yes, relative to other XB years. It has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of all 11 model years tracked, and is rated Best.
What problems does the 2014 Scion XB have?
NHTSA complaints point to engine oil consumption, airbag spiral cable failures, brake concerns, and body issues like roof rust and a detached running board. Engine complaints show a median mileage at failure of 75,000 miles.
Does the 2014 Scion XB have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for airbag inflators (campaign 19V005000) and one for loose accessory bolts (campaign 14V828000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2014 Scion XB compare to other years?
It ranks 11th worst out of 11 years, meaning it is the safest year by complaint index. Years like 2008 (complaint index 100) and 2006 (complaint index 80) rank far worse and are rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Scion XB?
EPA rates it at 24 mpg combined (22 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.