There are 5 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2012 Scion xBin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I have to add oil every 500 to 800 miles no visible smoke from engine or exhaust when cold or hot. ???? HELP
The contact owns a 2012 Scion XB. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting excessive engine oil consumption. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light would illuminate approximately 1,000 miles prior to the next scheduled oil change. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light recently illuminated less than a month after the previous oil change; 2,500 miles prior to the next oil change. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated that 4 quarts of oil was consumed prior to the next scheduled oil change and suggested that there was leak. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to Toyota Technical Service Bulletin Number: SB0024-11R2. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I TURNED A CORNER. IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO DEALER, WHERE I HAVE ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE (EXCEPT ONCE). CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE NO OIL IN IT BEFORE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THIS HAPPENED 6 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY AND WAS THOUGHT TO BE A PVC PLUG ISSUE. WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE WITH EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO WORN PISTON RINGS, ULTIMATELY THE FAULT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF ETHANOL IN GASOLINE. SOLUTION - KEEP CHECKING THE OIL AND ADD AS NEEDED. NOT WORTH REPAIRING THE PISTON RINGS.
Engine is burning oil.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT, AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR; HOWEVER, NO ONE WAS SENT FOR A YEAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD A FIRE INSPECTOR WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER ROD FRACTURED AND CAUSED A HOLE FOR OIL TO LEAK OUT OF, WHICH LED TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026