2008 Scion Xb problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (124) · Steering (35) · Engine (30)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Scion Xb model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
200 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-10-17 · campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2018-09-20 · campaign 18E091000 · 544 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail.
Risk: Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, it will be replaced with a standard equipment brake kit, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0U.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-09 · campaign 17V006000 · 577,875 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless inclu
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), G
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-23 · campaign 16V340000 · 1,754,517 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto R
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for f
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2012-10-10 · campaign 12V491000 · 2,519,424 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles
Defect: GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
Defect: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Service bulletins (141)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication 2024-03-04 · T-PANT-2024-004- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect toyota genuine motor oil and long life coolant, effective march 1, 2024. these products are ordered through the toyota complete maintenance care (tcmc) website.
Structure 2022-12-14 · Z3G_Dealer_Lette · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dl: toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied blizzard pearl or super white paint colors. these reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling o
Structure 2022-12-14 · Z2G_Dealer_Lette · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dl: toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied blizzard pearl or super white paint colors. these reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling o
Structure 2022-12-14 · ZKG_Dealer_Lette · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dl: toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied blizzard pearl or super white paint colors. these reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling o
Air Bags 2022-07-28 · Takata CSP Cover · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
csp: takata csp coverage job aid - published 7.28.2022
Structure 2022-04-28 · ZKG_Dealer_Lette · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dl: toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied blizzard pearl or super white paint colors. these reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on
Showing the 6 most recent of 141 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-30 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 230,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2008 scion xb. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 140,000; however, the carfax report listed the mileage at approximately 230,000.…”
2025-07-24 · Steering“i am writing to report significant safety concerns regarding my 2008 scion [include model, e.g., tc or xb]. after purchasing the vehicle, i discovered multiple serious mechanical and structural defects that make the car unsafe to operate on public roads. 1. suspension/struts – the struts are severely worn and are causing premature and uneven tire w…”
2024-03-12 · Unknown Or Other“1. desperfecto de pintura en el bonete. 2. problemas de pegamento al subir y bajar las ventanas.…”
2019-08-09 · Engine“tl* the contact owns a 2008 scion xb. the contact stated that the vehicle was burning oil excessively without warning. the oil had to be replaced three to four times after an oil change. the contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. the dealer and manufacturer were not notified. the failure mileage w…”
2019-04-09 · Engine“i just purchased my scion xb in january 2019 and within three weeks i had the oil light flashing so i took it to get an oil change at midtown toyota in chicago. within a few weeks i noticed that my oil light started flashing again so i checked motor oil and came to find out that i didn't have any oil. i called midtown toyota where i had my car se…”
2019-01-29 · Unknown Or Other · 104,809 mi“on 1/11/19 i took my 2008 scion xb to toyota one of oakland for 150,000 mile service (my mileage was 104,809 at the time.) at the appointment, i explained i noticed my car using more oil than usual. i had the 100,000 mile service completed on 8/10/18 and noticed i had to add additional oil to the engine since then, approximately 3 to 4 quarts. the …”
2018-11-24 · Engine · 148,000 mi“my scion xb 2008 model was recalled a couple years ago for excessive oil consumption. and i went twice for service at the toyota of naperville, i was told to come back after a certain amount of miles traveled, so that they could recall the car that obviously had a problem with consuming oil. this was impossible to appease due to the distance of my …”
2018-06-18 · Engine · 130,000 mi“oil consumption, i went to fewer and apparently my warranty has expired, which i was never informed or never received a notice! now i'm screwed because i was planning on keeping my car forever and it a problem that needs to be fix by th manufacture! i never was notified and never revived any letters. i was told by toyota customer service that it wa…”
2018-06-18 · Engine“i've been hearing that my car has an engine oil consumption, and since i've own the car i've been buying 1-2 quarts of oil a week! took my car to dealer recently and found out my extended warranty or factory warranty expired . now i never received any notice about my factory warrant expiration date ! i was never informed and i would like to fix the…”
2018-04-03 · Engine“engine oil cumption is too high at about 1 quart per 1,000 miles…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.