Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Scion xD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
ABS and brake lights intermittently come and stay on. Manual transmission xD. ABS/brake lights come on both at highway and city speeds, stay on for hours, then go off, then come back on for a few days, then go back off. Sometimes the ABS/brake lights come on when I start the car, then eventually go off, sometimes they come on while driving and go off the next day or so. Temperatures are cool and wet (40 degree f) over the past few weeks. ABS does not engage while driving, but does not engage properly while ABS/brake lights are on and during braking. When ABS/brake lights are off, all braking is normal. Brakes and assemblies are not worn out, brake fluid level is spot on.
This is the fourth incident, and the fourth time I have brought it to the dealer who cannot find or duplicate the issue. I hit the brakes, and instead of slowing or stopping the car, the car accelerates. One time, it damaged a tire, this time it happened while merging on a highway and nearly caused a dangerous collision. This last incident, I was traveling around 30 MPH. The two times before, I had been attempting to come to a stop from 25-30 MPH, and the first time I had been traveling between 30-35 MPH when I attempted to break to avoid another vehicle switching lanes. Toyota didn't even bother to find out what was wrong.
I don't know what went wrong but I was on the way back from work and for some reason as I began to try and break my car maneuvered in a strange way I hit a pothole and the car swerved into the wall. Now the model is having all sorts of recalls and issues. I have received three letters regarding safety hazards in my car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion xD. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Was stopping behind a line of cars on an exit ramp, mashed brake pedal and brake did not stop car completely,hit truck in front of me rolled back and hit it again rolled back again and finally had to pull emergency brake to get car to stop completely.
The contact owns a 2008 Scion xD with <40K miles. The brake system, in particular, the speed sensor and parking brakes, failed during a snow a week ago. The contact was forced to slide without ABS and with a funny brake all the way home. Toyota obviously knows this safety-related defect on their Scion xD and yaris (platform mates) since a TSB was issued for yaris (t-sb-0120-08, June 27, 2008) and the dealer immediately guessed "failed rear passenger-side wheel sensor" without even looking at the vehicle when the vehicle was brought in for repair. The contact agreed to pay $750 our of pocket for the repair, yet the part was back-ordered for more than a month due to the large number vehicles suffering from the same defect. NHTSA, look at the recent surge in ABS related complaints on the Scion xD and the yaris. …
The ABS warning light and brake warning light came on while driving my 2008 Scion xD, the ABS stopped working. Emergency brake and brakes seem to be working normally . My local Toyota/Scion dealer diagnosed the problem as two faulty rear wheel sensors, including one that was replaced two years ago (jan. 2011) for the same reason. All failures occurred during below freezing/ heavy snow conditions - exactly the conditions under which one would need ABS. Proposed repair includes replacing the wire harness/sensor, but no measures to protect the new parts from freezing or corrosive road debris. Repair estimate is approximately $1,200. Many other Scion xD owners have experienced this identical problem. Some Scion owners cannot afford this repair and will continue to operate their vehicles with inactive ABS systems, as I have been advised by several people that I could do to save money. …
I, like many others located in cold climates, seem to have had the same problem. While attempting to stop an odd grinding, something-engaging, motorized sound come from the brakes followed by very soft, extended braking and the 'ABS' and 'brake lights' coming on. During the cold months, the lights simply never go off and this issue happens sporadically. Now that it is warmer, the lights are on and off all the time and the sounds and grinding happen a dozen times over the course of a 15 mile drive. I've learned to expect it and as soon as I hear the engaging noise while in motion; I know the braking May become difficult. The issue so far has disappeared every early-summer only to return, as expected, every late-fall. It first began several years and continues to occur. …
Related recalls
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.
Brake complaints in other xD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Scion xD?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Scion xD, 45% of the model year's 67 complaints. The component named most often is power assist › vacuum (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Scion xD brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-338 (vacuum, Aug 27, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Scion xD brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.