8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
102,100 miles
Total Complaints:
17 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (9 reports)
  2. check oil weekly (4 reports)
  3. needs new engine (4 reports)
2009 Scion xB engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Scion xB Owner Comments

problem #17

Jun 032018

xB XB 3.2lv

  • CVT transmission
  • 145,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this car and it was great but the more I drive it the more oil it burns, now it is burning up two quarts of oil every 100 miles. I will have to sell this car if Toyota does not fix their problem.

- Queen O., Bixby, OK, US

problem #16

Jul 012013

xB 4 Doors 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 152,000 miles

Keep adding oil almost every 2 weeks if drive daily.

- Tuan N., Plano, TX, US

problem #15

Jun 012017

xB 2.5L

  • Manual transmission
  • 180,000 miles

I notice the issue mid last year, but after looking back into previous maintenance, records state that the oil was low on multiple occasions. I did several months after, go to the Orlando Toyota Dealership for a recall on the power window. I asked the representative about the oil consumption recall and she stated that she would check on it.

Upon completion of the window repair, the representative came back and stated that I missed the recall by 15,000 miles. I asked if there was an exception to the policy, especially since I was in the military and constantly move and deploy. Not receiving any notification from Toyota about the issue with the oil consumption, and she stated no exceptions. So I contact the corporate office and they gave me the case number 1803131541. After explaining everything they said there was not a recall and that they recommend that I take the car into Toyota and get a certified inspection that I would have to pay for and if it is oil consumption then I would have to pay to get the engine fixed or issue fixed.

It is an error on Toyota's part and they do not want to fix it. I don't feel that show's their customers that they care let alone the Military members that serve for this country and trust that these companies will do the right thing by all the customers they have.

- Frankie M., Saint Cloud, FL, US

problem #14

Nov 302015

xB V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil consumption problem has been a BIG problem for the last 2 years. I can't believe I'm forced to add oil in between oil visits, of which I do every 3k miles. This is more than ridiculous. I will NEVER buy a Scion again. Toyota should be trying to remedy this problem ASAP. I love Toyota, all of my cars have been Toyota,

but I'm so disappointed at the lack of care and responsibility they have shown through this ordeal. I sincerely hope they will make this matter right when I go to the service center.

- Julie M., Eastvale, CA, US

problem #13

Jan 032017

xB 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 113,100 miles

I bought my 2009 Scion xB brand new and have loved it and mothered it the whole time. In the last year and half, I started to realize that it was burning A LOT of oil! I'm checking it every couple of days, just in case, and found that I need to add at least a half quart every week, just to keep it above the add mark. I'm not working right now, so the expense of fixing the problem would be painful, but the cost of oil is killing me slowly.

- Nancy D., Whittier, CA, US

problem #12

Sep 272016

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,500 miles

ARGHHHHH…..So first of all I like to DIY any car repair, house, or any project that I know I can handle. An oil change would be one of them. Just to be sure I even YouTube the thing just to be on the safe side. Also who knows that a ticking noise in a car would be a problem or an indicator that your engine oil is low well I didn't), isn't that why you have an oil lamp indicator to tell you if you need oil or not??? Also between July through September, how can a car drink, eat, swallow 4 plus quarts within that time frame? Now we are SOL and on top of that I'm the one to blame. I have done many oil changes in my life and this one takes the cake. Another thing how in the hell would someone know if there's a defect in your car until SH@t goes wrong. We got other recall letters from Toyota about things that isn't really a problem per say but you would think an ENGINE problem is pretty darn important or to know about.

So now I'm the one to blame, my girlfriend blames me for her car that's almost paid off within less than a year. EEFFF ME. Really this SH@T pisses me off. So much more I have to say but really, this won't get me a free engine or a car. Instead a yelling GF. Thanks stingy Toyota/Scion for making this OIL CONSUMPTION

- ajeanius, Elk Grove, CA, US

problem #11

May 062015

xB 2.4L-Liter I-4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my 2009 Scion xB brand new. The car has had no other issue other than the massive oil consumption. I drive a significant number of mile per year. My car currently has 164,000+ miles on it and I understand that maybe it would start burning oil or what not, but the fact that I am putting in 3 quarts of oil between oil changes is both expensive and of great concern. I have to keep this car running for at least another 4 years, and not sure if that would be possible.

- sdigrazia, Manalapan, NJ, US

problem #10

Dec 272014

xB 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 125,354 miles

My brother typically takes care of the maintenance on my car. He noticed the oil was getting really low the last few times he's done an oil change. He changed to a thicker synthetic oil that he feels isn't really taking care of the problem. His solution for now is to give my car an oil change every 3k miles instead of 5k.

- ayriveraca, San Clemente, CA, US

problem #9

Sep 032014

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

So since I have had my Scion xB I didn't have really any problems with it the entire time it was under warranty and it seemed like as soon as my warranty was up, my oil light clicked on/. I took it over got some oil and filled it. No less than a week later my light was on again. It made me concerned. I took it to a well know mechanics place and the drained, cleaned and refilled. About a week and a half goes by and I had the same dam problem. At this point I am furious because I spend a lot of money putting oil in this car. I had my head gasket changed because I was told it may be a leak. Nope, that wasn't it. Then I was told my car is burning oil, I might want to start looking for a new one. I let it go and just kept putting oil in it and also Luke oil treatment. Guess what? It slowed down a bit, but not much. I was able to drive it for two weeks maybe with out adding oil. Now because my oil consumption is so bad, I have my engine starting to make a knocking noise. All plugs and coils replaced and no help at all. This oil problem has messed my car up so bad and I'm not even done paying off the car. It's very aggravating because now I am looking into rebuilding my engine, just so I can keep my car. This is such a pain in the ass! I think I spent more money trying to fix it, than what the car is really worth. Someone please help.

- stofer, levittown, PA, US

problem #8

Jan 012013

xB 2az-Fe Engine

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Never in my life have I seen a car that has been so pampered, use so much oil. Never.

Worst part is the oil light rarely if ever came on.

My wife's car and she had run it very low a couple of times. It is making a bit more noise from the upper valve train than it has in the past, we just went to the dealership today and they start the oil consumption test. Seems to be getting worse, wife just added 1/2 a quart two weeks ago and checked it yesterday and it was a quart low. I just sat down and it Figured out we'd driven it about 750 miles total no more than 800.

- gregwmson, Saint Petersburg, FL, US

problem #7

Jul 242015

xB 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I park the car in the same spot so I know its not leaking oil and less than 3000 miles the oil light blinks on and off so I check the dipstick and there's nothing on it at all. You would think the oil light would come on after a quart or two low, not dry. I take it to a local dealer for an oil consumption test and they tell me its normal.

My wife's 2002 Ford Escape leaks oil and it makes the oil change every 5000 miles. I just feel that I bought a lemon and Toyota knows it but won't admit to it or fix it. I'm gonna fill out every form I can find and hope they will fix my car and not say its normal. It had less than 50k miles on it. My 51 Ford doesn't burn any oil for a flathead v8 and Toyota wants to say its normal..... NORMAL compared to what?????

DO NOT BUY TOYOTA ITS NORMAL FOR THEM TO BE A LEMON NOW OF DAYS

- muddshark, Salem, VA, US

problem #6

May 012014

xB 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Bought this car in 09, it has been a great car. Then one day while performing routine maintenance I noticed not much oil drained out, only maybe 2 qts. I informed my spouse to keep a close eye on the oil level. Upon keeping a watchful eye we realized it was going through about 5 qts of oil every 5000 miles. I thought initially it could have something to do with the brand of oil I was using. I started putting in more expensive brands, different types of additives and have really invested a lot of money adding oil, and more frequent service intervals thinking that was the problem.

It wasn't until today after performing an oil change I decided to Google this problem and see if anyone else was having this problem and found out it looks like a lot of people are having the same problem. why isn't Toyota doing anything to fix this. I mean not only am I having to spend extra money on oil... But who will want to take this car in for trade knowing it has an oil consumption issue. How do stop the bleeding?

- Kasey C., Bentonville, AR, US

problem #5

Feb 112014

xB 2.4L 4 cyls

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,694 miles

I will never again buy a Scion Xb from Wilsonville Toyota in Wilsonville, OR.

I had to put 1 quart of 5/20 oil after 1200 miles.

- Robert Z., Oregon City, OR, US

problem #4

Nov 012010

xB 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Grant it, love our xB but at around 40,000 miles on a car that you bought new that you take very good care of you don't expect to have it using oil. It has never had one single break down in 119,000 miles, which I am thankful for, but if I was someone who really didn't know much about cars or just never checked under the hood that often, I could have easily had to have my engine replaced from running out of oil. At this point with 119000 miles on the car I use (approx) 3 to 4 qts. between oil changes. Toyota did not do the right thing by ignoring this problem after taking care of it on the other Toyota models!

- groverc, Douglasville, GA, US

problem #3

Apr 142014

xB XB 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,788 miles

Regarding my 2009 Scion XB:

The vehicle has 52,000 miles as of this date and has excessive oil consumption. Every 1,000 miles I have to add about 1.5 quarts of oil.

Since the vehicle is out of warranty I was told it would cost me about $3500 out of pocket to take the engine apart and diagnose the problem. I contacted Scion and there were no help to me whatsoever.

With a mileage of only 52,000 I do not believe this is normal and should not be my problem.

How many other owners are having this same problem and not receiving any help from Scion?

Please add any comments that pertain to the same problem.

- Daniel H., Plainfield, IL, US

problem #2

Aug 152013

xB NA 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

At about 60,000 miles I started experiencing the car was about 1 quart low at the 5,000 mile oil change. I started to closely monitor the oil level and found that the level was 3/4 quart low at about 2,400 miles. This progressively got worst and by 70,000 mile I was adding 2 - 2/12 quarts of oil in 5,000 miles.

I researched this on the internet and found that people were experiencing this on 2008 models. Toyota has a service bulletin on the 2.4L engine but do not list the Scion. The bulletin says that if consumption is less than 1 quart in 1,200 miles it is acceptable! I took all this information to the Toyota deal and they followed the bulletin instructions and it was only a 1/2 quart low so they would do nothing for me (by the way I had purchased the extended warranty).

I checked with the mechanic I have used for 25 years and he confirmed this was common in newer small car engines. He attributes it to great tolerances in the engine in order to increase gas mileage and that the manufacturer's responses was the same among manufacturers.

I now have 86,000 miles on the car and I check the oil weekly and add oil as necessary, usually 2 - 21/2 quarts between 5,000 mile oil changes. This is a shame since I love everything else about this car.

Check your oil every week or gas fill up.

- Richard M., Marietta, GA, US

problem #1

May 142012

xB XB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

I have a 2009 Scion XB that I have maintained as required. At 64,000 miles, my motor is knocking. I researched this vehicle and it appears this is a problem with this vehicle and there has been a bulletin sent out regarding the high oil consumption on this model along with many other Toyota and Scion models. They don't tell the owners of the vehicle though. It usually starts to burn too much oil close to the time your warranty will expire. They took the car and said if we commit to paying $415 to tear the engine down to see what is wrong, they could go back to Toyota/Scion and in good faith, they would make an offer to help fix the car. They said if it needed a new engine, we were looking at $5,000. I agreed and the next day, they advised me I need a new engine and it will cost $10,000 and they will not help at all. I then called the Scion headquarters and asked them to get involved. They spoke with the dealer and said that since I was past the warranty, they were not willing to help in any way. They know this car has this problem, they also know that the oil light never came on, the engine light never came on, and it had only been a little past the 5000 miles from my last oil change. Do not buy a Scion or even a Toyota for that matter. They do not care about their customers like they used to. I am 23 years old, my husband just got out of the Marines and we have a 3 1/2 year old son who is now riding the our 3 seater older truck in the front seat. My husband and I are both finishing school and working so we are sharing one vehicle and I owe $14,000 on a Scion that is worth $5,000 and will cost me $10,000 out of my pocket to fix. This could have been something Scion could have helped with and it would have cost them barely anything, but they chose not to and it is going to affect mine and my family's lives for years. Thanks Scion!

- Tara B., Visalia, CA, US

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