Common issues: Let me make sure I understand this…

So, I’m pretty in love with the xB. I’ve been geeking out on them in every way possible including, test drives, rentals, and spending pretty much every spare minute I have researching and learning about them. I felt like I had found the right car for me – until now.

After spending a lot of time on the forum, here’s where I’m lost…


First of all, the significant and common issues with the xB seem to be:
• A-pillar creek –- a very extensive repair by the dealership which ultimately results in two dimples being made with a punch. http://www.scribd.com/doc/2123037/TS...Creaking-Noise
• Winshields cracking due to stress –- I’m betting due to body/chassis flex, related to the A-pillar issue, above. Would two dimples punched into the car solve this issue? Do the windshields fracture when the A-pillar doesn’t make noise? What if the A-pillar is flexing, but not enough to make noise, yet enough to crack your windshield? Do you just keep replacing windshields?
• B-pillar noises –- some say due to body flexing, others say due to loose bolts. Either way, it can be “fixed” or “silenced”. Sucks, but solvable and ultimately not a big problem.
• Water pumps like to leak –- Lame, but I suppose if you keep replacing them you’ll eventually get a good one, or when the warranty goes out, just go after market, albeit with nice repair bill, but ok… fine.
• Seat doesn’t “return” after being reclined (even the brand new rental they gave me had this problem). But in any case, it’s pretty minor. Who cares.


Here’s what’s freaking me out...:

I saw a post stating that the A-pillar (and B-pillar) issue happen to just about everyone – and the A-pillar and windshield problems have me very concerned (B-pillar, not so much).

These seem like “fundamental” issues to me. How is the xB going to hold up over the long term and how much money will it cost to keep replacing stress fractured windshields? Because, I mean, we’re talking about the structure of the car flexing. And I know all cars flex, but you can’t just keep replacing windshields…. that’s not a solution.

For example, if the foundation of the house were cracking, moving, and settling, and as a result, breaking out your windows due to stress forces, you wouldn’t just keep replacing the windows – you would have to properly address the foundation of the house.


Finally, here’s where I’m lost...:

GRANTED, I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE CREEK (and of course a broken windshield, since I don’t own the xB), so MAYBE I’m imagining this being much worse than it actually is. And I’m still trying to understand how common the A-pillar creek and windshield stress fractures are. So maybe you guys can help me with that.

Most people on the forum seem perfectly fine with this?! …And TOTALLY ACCEPT it (and justify it) based on the car’s price?!

Maybe it’s a generational thing, maybe the incredible value and reliability of my current car has spoiled me, or maybe I’m misunderstanding the severity and frequency of the problem… but how is this not a significant issue for people, at any price? How can you not expect more? Especially from Toyota? A car not flexing so much that it doesn't break the windshield should kinda just be a given, right?

I can live with and work-out minor things if the car is fundamentally sound and reliable. Every brand and every model has their nuances. But a common, larger, underlying, and fundamental issue with the chassis not being welded right, combined with windshield fractures?? That’s like the foundation of the house being messed up. Isn’t it?

Please help me understand.


-Nathan

 

I've had my NBM since Sept 07 and have 85k on her. I have had no creaking issues, no mysterious cracking. My box does seem to be a rock magnet tho, numerous chips in the too thin paint up front and I've replaced my windshield twice from impact chips not to mention the 3 times i've had the windshield repaired.

I've experienced the non returning seats on both sets of seats I've had in the car. (i replaced my stock ones with a pair from an RS 6)

 

I have not noticed any creaks, but I do have the windshield and water pump issue. I cant verify whether the windshield is a rock or stress, but I've had enough rock hits in my day, and it just does not look like a rock hit it.

Only rattles I have, and they come and go, are the pass and driv front door handles.

 

Topic creator, you'll find that a lot more negative things are posted on the internet than positive. This applies for everything, from desktops/laptops to cars. A happy customer tends to not post up a thread online about how happy they are with the car. An unhappy customer will post up a thread and try to steer people away from whatever it is in an attempt to get the company back for the inconveniences caused to them.

I'm not saying that everything you've researched is wrong and that the issues do not exist, but you should not be paranoid and think it'll happen 100% because of online posts and articles. Some owners are more picky than others, and some are more negligent than others which can lead to issues. Some are just plain oblivious and know nothing about cars or mechanics, which can lead to complaints as well.

Finally, I'll repeat that I'm not trying to bash anyone or cause trouble, I'm just giving you some advice so you don't stay paranoid, etc. For the record, I only have 20000 miles on my 2009 xB (bought it 2008.), but it has treat me very well and I live in a pretty crappy area. It snows here sometimes, the weather is random, and there are an absurd amount of crappy roads filled with potholes and bumps, and my windshield is still in tact and I don't notice any creaking, etc.

 

I have none of the issues neither on my 08 xb or my new one.

 

I'd have to say, other than the water pump, the other issues are a small item. There's nothing to substantiate the windshield, and it could just be the slope. Every truck I had, with a steep window, was a magnet for cracks from rocks.

The water pump is my only concern, because this is not a new issue, and it seems to be a little more common. You either get it early on or you do not, and the worry is what will the second one do after its OUT of warranty.

All that being said, I have 17k miles on my car and would buy it again. Great price, drives good, rides good, and it looks good with some mods. I can easily tote 4 adults around, have taken a 1000 mile (one-way) road trip in it with comfort to my body, and have used the back space to move MANY large items. Also get's good Hwy mpg's for its shape, and has a very good resale value.

Like it a lot.

 

Thanks guys,

Keep the feedback coming please. I want to make sure I understand how big/small, common/not-common, these issues are -- particularly the A-pillar and window stress breakages.

One thing to clarify though: On the windshield, I'm not talking about cracking due to rock chips -- those things happen. I'm concerned about the windshield breaking due to stress.

 

The thing is, most people do not know which of the two the cause is. Just because they don't remember a rock hitting the car, etc. doesn't mean it was due to stress. As far as I know, you can check what the cause was by going to a auto glass place or something.

On a side note, at around 40000 miles my friend had a crack in his windshield for his 2008 xB. Obviously, he did not say it was his fault. He said it "came out of nowhere", but who knows. He then told me he did some more research and found out that 2009 xBs had a "revised" wind shield, or some type of structural revision that fixed the issue. I don't know how true it is, but it could be tied to the fix with the A-Pillar creak since that fix was applied to 2009 models as well.

 

Huh, mines a 2009 and I guess I missed this. Need to look at TSB's maybe.

 

In my 18 years of owning cars, I've never seen, nor personally known anyone who has experienced a windshield crack, without a chip or "spider" in the windshield.

I'm not saying it's not possible... but cracking appearing out of no where, with no evidence of a hit, and no memory of a hit, should be extremely rare. My understanding is that it's not so rare on the xB though. When you look at the TSB repair for the A-pillar combined with windshields cracking for unexplained reasons, it seems to point to a structural/body-flexing issue, to me. It sounds like it could be expensive to keep replacing windshields if they keep breaking for no apparent reason (again, not talking about rock chips turning into cracks).

It seems like there's not a lot of concern though, so maybe I've misunderstood how common it is? Or in one post people seemed to think it was OK because it's not an expensive car? I'm not sure why there's not much concern about it -- that's what I'm trying to figure out. I mean, IF there was an underlying issue with my car that kept breaking windsheilds, I don't think I'd take it lightly.

 

Like I said, you'll always find people posting negatively online more than positively. It's the nature of the internet....if you're that worried I'm sure there are autoglass makers that make very durable windshields (different composition, etc.) so you could just replace your windshield with that if it breaks and you truly feel that the OEM windshield is not good enough or something.

 

I think its just the angle.

 

Agreed.

 

i think you are just too paranoid. they wouldn't be as popular as they are with a huge problem like you are obsessing over. i understand your concern, that is a big thing to have break on you while you are driving. don't let this kind of stuff get to you, if it was as huge as you claim it to be, the xb's wouldn't be so popular. did you ever think to call a dealer? or two or three of them? they may feed you a line but then again, they might actually have some good info

0.02

 

x3

 

Drop your comprehensive insurance deductible to $100, and get the Toyota Extra Care Extended Service Agreement (Platinum level with zero deductible) for either 100k or 125k miles. This way windshields will never cost you more than $100 and water pumps (and just about anything else electrical or mechanical that is not a standard wear item) will be free for a very long time.

If you want the Extra Care Service Agreement, buy it from Toyota of Greenfield MA, they have one of the cheapest prices in the country, if not the cheapest price.

 

Ok, at one time I had owned a Gen1 xB and that one was prone to windshield cracking due to the straight up and down of the windshield...Now, since Scion has became a vehicle brand, I have purchased/owned (4) of them...I sold the Gen1 xB and now currently own the following (3) Scions:

**2010 Scion xB RS7.0 (Wife's Car)-ZERO issues/problems that you have listed above...Nowhere near the problems with the front windshield like I had in my Gen1 xB...In my Gen1 xB, I went through (7) windshields in 55,000 miles...But it was not a problem because I paid an extra couple dollars a month for FREE glass coverage with ZERO deductable...Worth every penny...If it's available where you live, get it...

***2008 Scion xD RS1 (My car)-ZERO problems other than crappy paint/rock chips after 20,000 + miles...

***2004 Scion xA (Daughters car)-Windshield cracks but not as easy as the Gen1 xB that I had...

Like others have stated, don't let the negative things freak you out...I obviously would not have owned/driving (4) Scions since they came out if I did not believe and trust in the brand...My house looks like a Scion dealership with all the Scions parked there...

 

Thanks guys, I'll look into the windshield insurance.

As for the Toyota extended warranty, what's a fair price for that?

PS -- I went to look at the 2011 xBs at a couple dealerships but they didn't have them in yet - at least not where I live.

 

Well, at barely over 4K, I guess I can't provide a telling glowing or otherwise history of my 2008, but I think the car is pretty nifty (as in fun to drive) and I'm thoroughly enjoying installing various mods that appeal to me. I'm very much aware of the more vertical than usual windshield and you can believe I'm keeping my distance as best I can from the vehicle ahead (truck or otherwise). I guess time will tell, but thus far, I'm satisfied .

 

In all honesty you don't even have to buy it right away because you can add it on at any time before 3 years or 36k miles which ever you get to closest to first. Don't let the dealer pressure you in buying it at the time of purchase.

Also, I'd recommend getting it bare bones and buy any and all oem accessories you want online or on ebay for much cheaper.