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).
My Scion experienced loss of stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes during a snow storm in winter 2012. Warning lights for ABS, brakes and vsc on the gauge cluster illuminated at that time. While driving at slow speed in the storm I realized that ABS was not working. The warning lights remained lit for about two days, then went out and did not return until December 2013. My vehicle was in california during the winter of 2013, and did not experience any loss of ABS, brakes, vsc or traction control or illuminated warning lights. In December 2013 while driving in a light snow, approx 2 inches, exiting a local highway and approaching a stop sign at 25 MPH I put pressure on the brakes to stop. My car spun around 360 degrees. I hit a snow bank and came to a stop. The entire time the vehicle stability system did not activate. …
Electronic steerin module located under the dash are a danger to peoples lives and can go out without warning and cause the driver to lose complete control of the vehicle. Also these modules on a 2008 malibu, 2009 Saturn and many other vehicles are known to have the same problem. The manufactuers of the auto have issued a TSB on this item when they should have issued a recall. If this matter is not taken care of asap someone will lose thier life! Just a matter of time! I have 35 years mechanic experience on vehicles and 27 years experience on jet engines with the gov. These same type modules are being used on current model vehicles of all makes and should be deemed unsafe! Anything that does not allow you to habdle your vehicle after failure is a danger to lives and manufactuers are aware of this. They would not have issued TSB's if they were not aware! …
I have a Toyota Scion xB and I was driving on a snow covered road. I had a deer jump out in front of me. The anti-lock brakes failed and my wheels locked up and I slid into the ditch. I contacted the dealership and they said a speed sensor went out. I ordered the part and was going to have it replaced for $90. When they went to install the part they found a short in the wiring and that is what caused the sensor to fail. They wanted me to pay over $1000 to have the wiring fixed. They gave me a copy of the service advisory from Toyota stating they knew they had this defect and had a redesigned part to install because of corrosion which caused the short. I refused to have the new parts installed because I don't feel I should have to pay for their design flaws.
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.
Scion has a TSB on parking brake cables that freeze in cold weather. When the cables freeze, it will cause the rear brake calibers to lock against the rotors. You would have to drive about 10 minutes to warm the rotors to unlock the brakes. This could cause brakes to fail and May not stop at all. I drove the Scion about 1 mile when a car made a left turn in front of me and the brakes and or traction control failed to work. I've noticed that the car still has stopping problems when its cold. I was lucky it was a low speed crash that caused about 5000 in damage. Scion Toyota has not recalled these cars for brakes and only your Toyota mechanics know of the problem.
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 the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was not available.
Vehicle was driven to location and parked. When I returned to the vehicle, restarted and began to pull away, steering light came on and all assist in the steering disappeared making it almost impossible to steer. Had to have steering ECM replaced.
While driving on snowy and salted roads, the brake, ABS, and vsc lights all came on at the same time. They remained on while driving on those same snowy and salty roads. The next day they eventually went off. Weeks later they came on again in wet weather and remained on. The local Toyota service center duplicated the issue and pulled the diagnostic codes c0210 & c1238. The Toyota service center said the entire hub and bearing assembly had to be replaced as the internal ABS sensor which they said was at fault was not sold separately and only came as part of the hub and bearing assembly kit. Their quote to repair this issue was $915 for the replacement of one hub and bearing kit! This is ridiculous. Brake sensors should not fail due to snow, salt, or water coming into contact with them. …
At just over 38,000 miles the brake, ABS, traction control, and vsc lights all illuminated on my dash. From what I have read it is most likely the rear speed sensors but also requires hundred of dollars worth of other parts to replace. I looked on many of the Scion xB forums and found many many people with the same problem. Since I have owned this car(from new) it has been a pain. I have had to replace the o2 sensor the clutch master cylinder the rear brake pads and the low wheel pressure light goes on when it is cold or wet out. So much for Toyota reliability. I owned a 1985 Toyota celica that had 185000 miles on it when I bought it drove it for 3 years and put on an additional 100000 miles myself and all I had to replace was an alternator belt. So why am I having so many problems with a car that is 23 years newer. I have also received a recall for the ignition coils. …
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 recall for over a month now. So he drove my Scion to college. Called me and said lights were on again. I called mechanic, he feels it could be wheel bearing or speed sensor in that wheel, either rust or corrosion due to intermittent lights. He checked it again. Now vsc and traction lights are on anytime car is drive. I am taking it in today for wheel bearing replacement. After reading multiple complaints on this site, I am very upset and disappointed in what I thought was my dream car!!! Toyota needs to issue a recall and fix this problem immediately!
Traction Control complaints in other xB years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2008 Scion xB?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2008 Scion xB, 6% of the model year's 339 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Scion xB traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.