Is the 2008 Scion xB a bad year?
339 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 41, 4.1× a quiet xB year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 4.1× the complaints of a quiet xB year, spread over 57k–125k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 xB owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 94,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 132 (39%) | 58k–127k miles · around this mileage | — |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 41 (12%) | 57k–125k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 37 (11%) | 64k–96k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 46 (14%) | 6k–22k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 38 (11%) | 36k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 34 (10%) | 48k–92k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 20 (6%) | 48k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 15 (4%) | 11k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 94,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 339 complaints: 30 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The 1st thing I noticed after starting my car after work was the heater was blowing cold air, even after 4 miles on the road (2 lane road - 40 mpg).
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.
Engine locked. My car was diagnosed with "Oil starvation", which was due to scion's "Oil consumption" Problem.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 94,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Scion xB: 9
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Over time, the brake hoses in these kits may fatigue and fail. Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. This does not meet the standard requirements.
These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 113, "Hood latch system." It has been determined that should the primary hood latch be released or fail, the plastic upper radiator grill garnish could release the secondary latch and cause the hood to open. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver possibly cause the hood to strike the roof or the windshield increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Scion: 73
Repair instructions Scion sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Scion xB. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
There has been some concern with 3 piece piston ring installations for 2AZ-FE engines
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
Some vehicles may exhibit an intermittent MIL "ON" condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor…
HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2009 xB: 140 complaints, keep it.
Every Scion xB year
2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · All xB years side by side
Other Scion models: Scion FR-S · Scion tC. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Scion xB a bad year?
339 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 41, 4.1× a quiet xB year. At 94,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 4.1× the complaints of a quiet xB year, spread over 57k–125k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Scion xB?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (132), engine (41), steering (37), visibility and wipers (46), brakes (38). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 57k–125k miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Scion xB have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-741), Brakes (NHTSA 18E091000), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-006), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-340) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.