Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Poor quality back-up light could cause vehicle to be unseen while backing up. Scion xB has only one back-up light mounted on the lower right side of the bumper. This light could cause a serious hazard to children and pets that are walking or playing at night.Toyota has installed a very safe light assembly on the same vehicle sold in Japan as a (Toyota rumion).the lights on the Toyota are a direct fit with the Scion xB and cost Toyota very little to fix.please note that single light on the bumper can illuminate the ground and the Toyota version lights up the rear completely.these Toyota lights can be found on the internet and some members of scionlife. Com has installed them already. The cost of these lights shipped to the us are way beyond what most are willing to pay. Please look into this safety hazard!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion xB. While making a right turn at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the contact mentioned that the windshield wipers operated independently. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,063.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion xB. The contact stated that while reversing, flames were seen from the driver's side window switch. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Front windshield developed l-shaped crack on passenger side, starting at top molding. Car was sitting in driveway, no evidence of impact. Took car to dealer for eval, at first they could find no reason for crack. Service manager then used a pen to find a minute imperfection in the crack line. He claimed it was an impact, however, it was less than 2mm long by 1 mm, not circular in shape and follows exactly the line of the crack. In my opinion he broke off a tiny shard when he did the pen trick. After I made him look at it again, and a rock impact on another one of my cars (with no crack), he could not explain how such a tiny chip could look so different and cause such a crack. He refused to acknowledge any defect or knowledge of Scion problems with windshields. Ironically, I found an entry for another 2008 from the same dealership. …
I purchased a brand new 2008 Scion xB on August 3, 2008 and only after 2.5 weeks noticed the "l" shaped crack on my windshield. After my initial inspection I could not see any visible abrasions. I took my vehicle to the dealer 2 days after I first noticed and was told that it was due to a rock. The service representative that conducted the test had to literally try to find a "point of contact". He even had to request for someone else to find one. Finally after numerous passes with his pen and finger he finds a small chip about the size of a pen tip, an inch down from the seam of where the glass meets the car. The car has less than 600 miles. Is parked in a garage (at work and home). The crack is now an estimated 7+ inches. I said to the service rep, "is the quality of the windshield that poor, that a very small rock hitting a brand new windshield would cause this much damage". …
One morning when getting into my (5 mo old) 2008 Scion xB I found a 2-3 in. Crack in the windshield that started under the weatherstriping at the a-pillar about 6-8 inches up from the hood on the passenger side. Within a short time that day the crack extended up to approx. 12-14 in. In a u shape. Due to conflicts I was unable to take the car to the dealer for 2 weeks. By that time the crack had extended about 4-5in. More horizontally across the windshield and a second crack started from the bottom of the u shape extending down to the hood (about 2-3 in). Visual examination of the windshield revealed no obvious pits or impact hits. The weatherstripping where the crack initiated also appears free of defects or damage. Upon quick review from the dealer they declared that it was cracked due to some impact (rock/pebble/etc...) and refused replacement as factory defect.
When the car had about 37,000 miles I started hearing a rattle coming from the back of the car. The car now has 50,000 + miles and I hear the rattle all the time. I searched every online forum regarding rattles coming from the bumper with no findings. In conversation with a Toyota service rep, he told be it could be the roof brace at the b pillar. I further investigated the problem on line and saw several reports where the 2008 through 2009 does have a problem with the left side roof brace at the b pillar not being welded to the frame. I removed enough interior parts to confirm the roof brace is not welded to the structure on the left side. Is seems the roof support not being welded would weaken the crash resistance in a side impact. I also noted several complaint of stress cracked windshields which May be related to a loose b pillar roof brace.
My complaint is about my Scion xB 2008. I have had two problems with the front windshield cracking. My first Scion xB 2008 had a crack in the windshield that was a stress crack. Toyota of the desert hand my car for a whole month before I got it back and the windshield still wasn't repaired. My car had scratches and was damaged by the company. They even broke the replacement windshield and that's why I had to wait a whole month for it to get back to me. When I complained to the manager he ignored me and just asked me why I had traded in another car that I bought from the there Honda dealer. Next my other Scion xB has the same issue and now the same company Toyota of the desert is saying that this crack is not caused by stress and that I might have to pay $1000.00 dollars to repair the windshield which is not covered by the warranty.
2008. 2008 Scion xB during a 5 hr trip , without getting hit on the windshield by anything at all, the windshield developed a crack starting at the top edge and extending down about 6 inches. I had read about this problem on the edmunds auto website. I went to my local dealer and was told by a service adviser that I was financially responsible for the repair, I went to the service manager to complain that this was a problem with these cars, and I was not going to pay for it. He told me that he would contact the Toyota rep for the area and would get back to me. They did approve the repair, but I'm afraid this will happen again, its happened more than once to many owners, Toyota should be forced to fix this without giving customers a hard time about it.
I was interested in buying a 2008 Scion xB. I had heard that the older xbs had a major problem with the windshields spontaneously cracking. They called them "stress cracks" because of the way the frame was and the slope of the windshield. I spoke to a salesman before I bought the new Scion about the windshield problem. He told me that the problem was fixed. Today, sept. 12th 2009, I found the l shaped crack that so many people had complained about on the 1st generation xbs. I am contacting the Toyota dealership on Monday. This is a manufacturer's defect, and I am not about to replace my windshield numerous times (as many other customers have had to do, sometimes 7 or 8 times in 6 months!!!) are there any other complaints about the Scion xB windshield?
Related recalls
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
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.
Remedy: 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.
Window & Wiper complaints in other xB years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2008 Scion xB?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2008 Scion xB, 13% of the model year's 339 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Scion xB window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-491 (power window devices and controls, Oct 10, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Scion xB window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 83% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.