Most common 2008 Scion xD problems
Share of the 67 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Scion xD complaints by model year
Best xD years: 2012, 2010. Years to avoid: 2008, 2009. Compare all years →
2008 Scion xD recalls (5)
Seats
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 22, 2005, through May 12, 2010, and 2008-2010 Scion xD vehicles manufactured April 4, 2007, through May 12, 2010.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat rail, and replace it with a new one, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
Remedy: 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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Scion xd and my 2009-2010 corolla, and corolla matrix vehicles equipped with 1.8l engine and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new…
Remedy: Dealers will install a newly designed intake air connector which will relocate the brake system vacuum port. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2009.
What 2008 Scion xD owners say
Brakes all 30 →
I was turning on a left on a major street to small street. Alll cars in the opposite direction was stopped due to a street light a block away. It was a 2 lane street along with street curb parking. Both cars on each lane had stopped for me n as I was turning left another car appeared suddenly and as I pressed the break it didn't work right causing me hit the car
While returning home on nov.19, 2009 there was fresh snow and cold temperatures. Approaching an intersection, a garbage truck failed to yield the right of way. I applied the brakes on my 2008 Scion xD and they locked, the ABS failed to activate. This resulted in an injury accident. After the car was in the body shop I contacted Toyota safety department and the sent a rep to inspect the car, he reported no problem w/ the brakes. Today I found that there is a recall on the brake system of the 2008 Scion xD which states the brakes May fail in extremely cold ambient temperatures. Toyota only released this recall in 19 states that it deemed cold enough. I had taken this car to the dealer 3 times prior to the accident with concerns about the brakes. …
Suspension
The rear axel beam on the vehicle cracked on the drivers side. It separated at a weld and caused the entire wheel assemble to lean inward (extreme negative camber) and rub against the wheel well. Fortunately I was off the highway when the incident occurred and barely made it safely to my work place. If this had happened at a greater speed I fear for what may have happened to myself and others. It is UNKNOWN if this problem has been reproduced in other circumstances. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police. It was inspected by an independent service provider (mechanic). It is available for additional inspection if needed. There was no warning, message or any other symptoms prior to the issue occurring.
I had been hearing clunking noise from right front wheel for a few weeks, that seemed to be getting louder over time. Most prominent during braking or hitting potholes. Father looked at wheel while I backed out of driveway and noticed wheel shifting forward/backward within the wheel well about an inch when starting and stopping. Took vehicle to local tire shop and was told bold attaching lower control arm to body had corroded and broken off. Suggested I take car to dealer for repair, and mentioned there was a TSB issued for this problem that extended the warranty to 7 years/100,000 miles. Dealer repaired vehicle at my cost ($422), since the warranty has expired (mileage). I believe this part should last the life of the vehicle. Luckily my father noticed the wheel movement or the wheel May have come off at highway speed.
Speed control & acceleration
I was driving and all of a sudden the check engine would come on and the vehicle would start shaking and slow down for maybe a couple of seconds then it would drive normal, sometimes either the same day or in a couple of days the check engine light would shut off and vehicle would drive normal again, this happened about 4/5 times, I took it to a mechanic, but when I did the check engine was off and he found nothing wrong with it, (not really sure if he even did a diagnostic on it) he stated maybe it was just a temporary gliche. This Sunday 9/6/2015, I was driving, the check engine came on and the vehicle started to shake but this time it felt it was about to stop, this is happening while I was driving it was scary becuase a person driving behind me at 40mph does not know that the vehicle in front of them might come to a full stop and they May crash into me.. Very scary.. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion xD. While driving approximately 34 MPH, the vehicle spontaneously jerked to the right. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle and some bushes; however, the only thing that stopped the vehicle was the mud. The engine continued revving until the ignition was turned off. During the failure, the contact could not control the steering column nor the vehicle because the electronic stability control system failed. In the event that at least one wheel loses traction, the stability system prevents the driver from steering the vehicle. It will align the vehicle to move straight forward, thus preventing the contact from controlling the vehicle in the event of an emergency. The contact requested a copy of the police report and has pictures of the failure. …
2008 Scion xD engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 33 / 29 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 32 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Scion xD a good car?
Based on 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 xD rates avoid: 5.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the xD at the same age. It is one of the xD years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Scion xD?
The brakes — 30 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about power assist › vacuum. Next are the suspension (11) and speed control & acceleration (9).
How many recalls does the 2008 Scion xD have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2008 Scion xD, the most recent from April 9, 2014 (seats). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Scion xD?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008 and 2009. See the full Scion xD years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Scion xD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 47% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.