2009 Scion XD Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Scion XD ranks 2nd worst of 8 model years for the XD, with a complaint index of 86 and 23 NHTSA complaints, mostly tied to the engine and electrical system. It carries an Avoid verdict, six recall campaigns, and a median failure mileage of 49,500 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 86/100
- #2 of 8 XD years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 26.5 city / 32.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2009 Scion XD problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (35%)
- Electrical System7 (30%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (17%)
- Brakes3 (13%)
- Structure & Body3 (13%)
- Fuel System2 (9%)
- Other2 (9%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report unintended acceleration incidents, including one where the car surged to near 100 mph before a crash.
- Drivers describe sudden loss of engine power on the highway, sometimes with the engine racing after restarting.
- Power window master switches have overheated and smoked, with switches melting inside the door panel.
- Owners report water pump leaks starting around 31,000 miles that later require full replacement.
- Brake pads and rotors have needed early attention, with noise appearing around 25,000 miles.
- Tire pressure loss and flat tires have been reported at low mileage on factory-equipped tires.
2009 Scion XD recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V689000Oct 22, 2015Visibility & Wipers1,814,284 vehicles
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
- NHTSA 14V169000Apr 9, 2014Structure & Body472,388 vehicles
Seats
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 22, 2005, through May 12, 2010, and 2008-2010 Scion xD vehicles manufactured April 4, 2007, through May 12, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the springs used for the seat rails on the driver's seat and the seat rails of the front passenger seat of three-door models may break.
Risk: If the spring breaks, the seat may not lock in position. In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat could move increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat rail, and replace it with a new one, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 12V491000Oct 10, 2012Visibility & Wipers2,519,424 vehicles
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
2009 Scion XD fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,275
- 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.
2009 compared with other XD years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Scion XD reliable?
- Among the 8 model years of the XD, 2009 ranks 2nd worst with a complaint index of 86 and carries an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What problems does the 2009 Scion XD have?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem area is the Engine (35% of complaints), followed by the Electrical System (30%). The median mileage at failure across complaints is 49,500.
- Does the 2009 Scion XD have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 Scion XD, covering areas including Visibility & Wipers, Structure & Body, and Brakes. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2009 Scion XD compare to other years?
- The 2009 model's complaint index of 86 is close to the 2008 model's index of 100, the worst year for the XD, while 2013 has the lowest index at 14.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Scion XD?
- EPA rates the 2009 Scion XD at 28.5 mpg combined (26.5 city / 32.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,275.