2008 Scion XB recalls and problems

The 2008 Scion XB has 8 safety recalls and 339 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Scion dealer.

Recalls
8
Complaints
339
Crashes / fires
30 / 7
Injuries / deaths
24 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Scion XB vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Scion XB recalls

Recall 19V-741: Air Bags

Reported Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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 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.

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.

Recall 17V-006: Air Bags

Reported Jan 9, 2017 · 577,875 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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 included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

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), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).

Recall 16V-340: Air Bags

Reported May 23, 2016 · 1,754,517 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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 Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

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 final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

Recall 12V-491: Visibility

Reported Oct 10, 2012 · 2,519,424 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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 as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.

Recall 10V-035: Equipment

Reported Feb 3, 2010 · 271,417 vehicles affected · GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Recall 10V-036: Equipment

Reported Feb 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles affected · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

Problem: 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.

Recall 09V-223: Equipment

Reported Jun 15, 2009 · 27,080 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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 which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."

Risk: Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 at 1-888-270-9371.

Recall 08V-451: Structure

Reported Sep 5, 2008 · 67 vehicles affected · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

Problem: 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 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

2008 Scion XB problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags133
Visibility45
Steering37
Engine35
Electrical System34
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)20
Service Brakes16
Vehicle Speed Control15
Structure11
Wheels9
Engine and Engine Cooling7

Most reported parts

  • Visibility › Windshield — 18
  • Structure › Body — 7
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 3
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 2
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring — 2
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 52,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Scion XB complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 230,000 miles · reported Apr 30, 2026
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.
Service Brakes · reported Jul 24, 2025
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 wear. This creates a major risk of tire blowout or loss of control while driving. 2. Motor Mount – The engine mount is missing screws and bolts, which results in excessive engine movement. This could lead to engine damage or failure while in…
Engine · reported Aug 9, 2019
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 was unknown.
Engine · reported Apr 9, 2019
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 serviced and asked him if my vehicle had a recall as far as the oil problem that I was having? He said yes there was a recall on my vehicle, however the recall had expired in january 2018. Now I've had the car. Now I've only had the car for two months…
Engine · at 130,000 miles · reported Jun 18, 2018
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 was probably sent to original owner! Now I need this fixed or I need my full refund if the car can't be fixed without any charge!

Other Scion XB years

Compare all Scion XB years · All Scion models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Scion XB have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2008 Scion XB: 19V-741 (air bags), 17V-006 (air bags), 16V-340 (air bags), 12V-491 (visibility), 10V-035 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Scion XB?

Owners report air bags problems most often (133 reports), followed by visibility (45). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 52,000 miles.

Are Scion recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Scion dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.