Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Scion xB owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. The service center had to special order the ipod jack and cable which took 30 days to arrive. After replacing said parts I tried them out. They did not function properly and I was told that was the best they could do. A few more months later when I went to turn up the volume on the radio it sent I shock through my finger and out the speaker that my legs as well as my boyfriends were next to. After the shock every speakers started emitting static and I had no choice but to turned the whole radio off. I brought the car in and was sent out the door with no resolution b/c the service center could not duplicate the problem. …
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. If my son was in the car while it was on fire he would not have had a chance to get out. That is how fast the car fire spread. The vehicle had all original factory components (radio, speakers, etc.) there is a serious problem in the electrical part of the vehicle. Since this was an isolated incident Toyota does not want to do a "forensics analysis" on the vehicle because it "costs too much money" and they do not want to invest their resources into a single isolated freak incident. I was told by Toyota's total loss dept representative "that it was just not worth it to them to investigate".
The initial incident occurred while driving the vehicle on partially snow covered pavement. As I applied the brakes to stop at an intersection, the vehicle began to skid. The vehicle stability control and ABS systems did not work, and the brake, ABS and vsc lights came on. The warning lights remained on for approximately one day as I continued to drive. After the warning lights turned off, they remained off for approximately two weeks, then the ABS and vsc systems failed again and the lights came back on. This problem occurs fairly regularly, six to eight times per year. I was quoted a cost of around $1200 to replace the rear hub assemblies and wiring harness replaced, with no guarantee that would solve the problem.
Salt and snow causes error codes c0210, rear speed sensor rh circuit to malfunction and shuts down the ABS, traction control, and air bag deployment. All safety devices are off when salt is used on roadways. Salt and snow causes error codes c0215, rear speed sensor lh circuit to malfunction and shuts down the ABS, traction control, and air bag deployment. All safety devices are off when salt is used on roadways. This is a know problem with 2008-2009 Scion xB, Toyota TSB s-sb-0040-09, July 6,2009 * connectors for these sensors are exposed to the environment, causing non deployment of safety devices leading up to, and during a crash**
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Scion xB. While the vehicle's engine was running with the key in the ignition, the doors independently locked without warning. When the ignition key was removed and the contact exited the vehicle, the doors independently locked without warning with her grandchild in the vehicle. The contact called the police to unlock the doors. The contact called a local Toyota dealer where an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
We had a 2008 Scion x b we took it to stevens auto mall on farmington ave bristol ct on to separate occasions complaining of a burning smell I was told that it was a new car smell and it would go away with mileage. It had 39 miles when we bought on 1-27-2008 and on 5-25-2008 it caught fire and only had 5500 miles on it. When I went back to the dealer to get copies of the work orders, the first thing they said when they saw me was what was wrong with Scion and I told them it was up in smoke and totaled by my insurance company.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Scion xB. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled while pulling off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and the contact had no control over the vehicle. The failure also occurred while driving 80 MPH on the freeway. The contact had no control over the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
I my 2008 Toyota Scion xB into shop for its 30K checkup. Had to bring the car back to marina del rey dealership for failing to put bolt back onto bottom of car. At the time told the dealer of problem with radio, intermittant power problem (radio would cut out), static, speaker problems. Was told that the car was driven around and had no problem. 2 months later fire started in the electrical harness area and burned the car to the ground.
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 a technical service bulletin regarding this issue and corrected the design flaw on later Scion xB models. (s-sb-0040-09 July 6, 2009).
Electrical complaints in other xB years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Scion xB?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Scion xB, 10% of the model year's 339 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Scion xB electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Scion xB, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Scion xB electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 6 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.