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2008 Scion xB Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Scion xB has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS and VSC lights from wheel speed sensor faults.” Every Scion is another company's car in a hoodie, and the maintenance follows the donor. Most models (xA, xB, tC, xD, iQ, iM) are pure Toyota: 5,000-mile or 6-month service visits, oil every 10,000 miles on the 0W-20 cars (5,000 on early models), iridium plugs at 120,000, and famously little else. The FR-S is a Subaru boxer underneath and marches to Subaru's beat, with plugs at 60,000 and its own coolant schedule. The iA is a Mazda2 with Skyactiv service intervals. Parts and service remain easy through Toyota dealers, which is most of why used Scions make sense.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Scion xB.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS and VSC lights from wheel speed sensor faults

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2016-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION XB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL MONITOR AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE DETAILS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10837511
“VEHICLE'S REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CONNECTORS GET CORRODED BY ROAD SALT, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF CAR'S COMPUTER TO REGISTER SPEED OF REAR WHEELS. THEREFORE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. TOYOTA RELEASED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10684033
“AFTER A SNOWSTORM, MY ABS, VSC, STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. STAYED ON. TOOK TO MECHANIC, THEY WENT OUT. HE SUSPECTS ICE BUILD UP. RAN SCAN. IT SHOWS RIGHT REAR WHEEL SENSOR PROBLEM. LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. SON'S CAR IS IN SHOP FOR GM IGNITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10578804

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

113 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2018-01

“TAKATA RECALL - RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED ON MAY, 23 2016 AND AS OF DECEMBER 10, 2016 NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS FAR BEYOND WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A TIMELY RESOLUTION TO SUCH A SEVERE SAFETY RISK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10934377
“TAKATA RECALL - MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I'VE BEEN TOLD NOT TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE AIRBAG IS REPLACED. I CALLED MY TOYOTA/SCION DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO DATE WHEN THE REPAIR CAN BE MADE BUT IT MAY BE MONTHS. SO MEANTIME I'M STUCK WITH A CAR WITH LIMITED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10896643
“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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11056141

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2017-11

“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. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11047864
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, RIGHT HAND, NECK, AND BACK OF HEAD. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10747058
“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING FRONT END DAMAGE ONLY (I.E. I LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A TREE IN THE AREA OF THE GRILL OF MY VEHICLE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A DEER). THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS A PROPERLY RESTRAINED DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE WITH NO OCCUPANTS, AS I WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10619425

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive engine oil consumption

ENGINE

29 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2019-08

“ENGINE OIL CUMPTION IS TOO HIGH AT ABOUT 1 QUART PER 1,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11083161
“MY 2008 SCION XB IS BURNING THROUGH OIL AT A CRAZY RATE. I DRIVE 100 MILES A DAY AND EVERY TWO DAYS I HAVE TO PUT A WHOLE QUART OF OIL. I HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT ALL THE COMPLAINTS BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. MY SCION IS NOW AT 175,000 MILES AND ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10650910
“EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE VEHICLE USES OVER 3 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES (5000 MILE OIL CHANGE INTERVAL.) WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE MAY SEIZE WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO LACK OF OIL, CAUSING A CRASH. (TOYOTA ISSUED A TSB REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN 2011, DUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10661483

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric power steering failure

STEERING

22 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2017-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION XB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10823903
“2008 SCION XB. POWER STEERING FAILURE AS A RESULT OF POWER SUPPLY RELAY FAILURE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED UPON START UP. POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD AT LOCAL GARAGE THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT COULD ONLY BE ADDRESSED AT DEALERSHIP. CAR WILL NEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10704727
“POWER STEERING WENT OUT. GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS IT IS HAPPENING TO MANY 2008 SCION XB OWNERS. FROM PARKED, TURN KEY TO START, POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKS AND WARNING LIGHTS FLASH. TOO MANY 2008 SCION XBS ON THE ROAD TODAY ARE ENCOUNTERING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SHOULD BE FIXED AT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11002378

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter Change

Every 10,000 mi

0W-20 models (2011+ tC, iQ, iM): every 10,000 miles or 12 months with 5,000-mile checkup visits between. Earlier models: every 5,000 miles or 6 months. FR-S and iA: every 7,500 miles. Severe use halves all of these.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Every 5,000 miles or 6 months per the Toyota-pattern schedule; 7,500 on FR-S and iA.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Checked at every service visit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Toyota's US guides list inspection only, no replacement interval; the FR-S schedule does replace it, around every 30,000 miles. Every 2 to 3 years is sound practice on any of them since fluid absorbs moisture with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles or 36 months across the lineup.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Iridium plugs at 120,000 miles on the Toyota-engine cars. FR-S: 60,000 miles, the big schedule difference on the Subaru boxer. iA: roughly 75,000 per Mazda practice. Note that 2005-2010 tC engines with oil-consumption habits can foul plugs early.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles or 36 months on the Toyota schedule; sooner in dusty conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

Every 100,000 mi

Toyota Super Long Life: first change at 100,000 miles or 120 months, then every 50,000. FR-S uses Subaru coolant: first at 135,000 or 11 years, then every 75,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota WS fluid has no normal-schedule change; the factory book calls for it at 60,000 and 120,000 only under towing or heavy loads. FR-S automatics: every 60,000 miles or 5 years. A drain and fill around 60,000 is cheap insurance on any of them.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

First inspection at 60,000 miles or 72 months, then every 15,000. All Scion engines are chain-driven; there is no timing-belt service on any model.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

53 crashes 1990–2024

How the 53 occupant deaths break down

37

driver deaths

16

passenger deaths

53

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

30

complaints mentioning a crash

7

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Scion xB reflects Scion's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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