YearToAvoid

2009 Scion XD Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

86/100

#2 most-complained of 8 XD years

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

The 2009 Scion XD has 23 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 86 out of 100 — #2 highest of 8 XD model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (8 complaints, 35% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries.

Complaints
23
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
3 / 1
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28.5
26.5 city / 32.5 hwy

Top 2009 Scion XD problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine8 (35%)
  2. Electrical System7 (30%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (17%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers4 (17%)
  5. Brakes3 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body3 (13%)
  7. Fuel System2 (9%)
  8. Other2 (9%)
  9. Airbags1 (4%)
2009 Scion XD complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2009Feb 2011Mar 2013May 2014Dec 2014Dec 2016Nov 2020Apr 2025
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2009 to Apr 2025; peak Mar 2013 (3).

2009 Scion XD recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2009 Scion XD →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062008200920102011201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006No verdict011—
2008Avoid10067528.5
2009Avoid8623628.5
2010Caution5712429
2011No verdict293129

All Scion XD years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Scion XD a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Scion XD ranks #2 of 8 among XD model years (Complaint Index 86/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 23 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Scion XD?
The most reported problem areas are engine (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (4 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 49,500 miles.
Does the 2009 Scion XD have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 Scion XD, most recently reported 2015, covering visibility & wipers, structure & body, other, and brakes.
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. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.