2008 Scion XB

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 Scion XB
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Scion XB Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaints 2004: 37 complaints 2004 2005: 92 complaints 2006: 253 complaints 2006 2007: 3 complaints 2008: 339 complaints 2008 2009: 140 complaints 2010: 55 complaints 2010 2011: 54 complaints 2012: 45 complaints 2012 2013: 13 complaints 2014: 9 complaints 2014 2015: 6 complaints 2015
2008: 339 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20020
20031
200437
200592
2006253
20073
2008339
2009140
201055
201154
201245
201313
20149
20156

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 39%

39% of complaints: air bags — 131 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND RIGHT KNEE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171121

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION XB. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171222

STEERING 11%

11% of complaints: steering — 37 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I TURNED ON MY CAR AND WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL ICON LIT UP. THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PARK THE CAR ON THE STREET.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171117

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I am writing to report significant safety concerns regarding my 2008 Scion [include model, e.g., tC or xB].

NHTSA ODI report, 20250724

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 31 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING THE WIRES SPARKED THEN ABS LIGHT CAME ON THEN FIRE STARTED THE WHOLE HALF OF CAR WAS BURNT BY THE TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE ARRIVED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130427

AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR I HAD TO BRING IN TO BE SERVICED DUE TO STATIC SPEAKERS. THE BACK SPEAKERS WERE REPLACED BUT THAT WAS NOT THE LAST PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE WITH THEM. A FEW MONTHS LATER MY IPOD JACK WENT UP IN SMOKE AND MELTED MY IPOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090118

CAR PARKED AND DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL UNIT CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 3 MINUTES. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS A REAL CONCERN WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL THEY RESPONDED WITHIN 3 MINUTES AND THE CAR WAS GONE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080905

VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

2008 — complaint volume: 339
R 20081006 — structure

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING 67 MY 2008-2009 SCION XB VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SPORTS GRILL OPTION AND ALSO SEVERAL RADIATOR GRILLS SOLD AS PARTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREME

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPORTS GRILL INSTALLATION AND INSTALL ADDITIONAL CLIPS TO ENSURE THE RADIATOR GRILL GARNISH IS PROPERLY SECURED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOU

Campaign 08V451000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090918 — equipment

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WH

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA

Campaign 09V223000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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."

Remedy: 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 S

Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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 VE

Remedy: 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 RECAL

Campaign 10V035000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20121105 — visibility

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

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 th

Campaign 12V491000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161118 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V340000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170201 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V006000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181116 — service brakes, hydraulic

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18E091000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191120 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Scion XB — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (131 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V451000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V223000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V035000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V491000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V340000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V006000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18E091000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2004 ▲ 2012 ▲ 2011

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2009 ◆ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Scion XB reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Scion XB is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Scion XB?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Scion XB have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.