Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 339 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Scion xB, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 125 | 37% |
| Visibility | 40 | 12% |
| Engine | 28 | 8% |
| Steering | 26 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 3% |
| Structure | 5 | 1% |
| Power train | 5 | 1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1% |
| Steering | 4 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 appro
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I am writing to report significant safety concerns regarding my 2008 Scion [include model, e.g., tC or xB]. After purchasing the vehicle, I discovered multiple serious mechanical and structural defects that make the car
NHTSA complaint: Steering
1. Desperfecto de pintura en el bonete. 2. Problemas de pegamento al subir y bajar las ventanas.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION XB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE OIL HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TO FOUR TIMES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I JUST PURCHASED MY SCION XB IN JANUARY 2019 AND WITHIN THREE WEEKS I HAD THE OIL LIGHT FLASHING SO I TOOK IT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AT MIDTOWN TOYOTA IN CHICAGO. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS I NOTICED THAT MY OIL LIGHT STARTED FLA
NHTSA complaint: Engine
ON 1/11/19 I TOOK MY 2008 SCION XB TO TOYOTA ONE OF OAKLAND FOR 150,000 MILE SERVICE (MY MILEAGE WAS 104,809 AT THE TIME.) AT THE APPOINTMENT, I EXPLAINED I NOTICED MY CAR USING MORE OIL THAN USUAL. I HAD THE 100,000 MIL
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
MY SCION XB 2008 MODEL WAS RECALLED A COUPLE YEARS AGO FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. AND I WENT TWICE FOR SERVICE AT THE TOYOTA OF NAPERVILLE, I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILES TRAVELED, SO THAT TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine
OIL CONSUMPTION, I WENT TO FEWER AND APPARENTLY MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED OR NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE! NOW I'M SCREWED BECAUSE I WAS PLANNING ON KEEPING MY CAR FOREVER AND IT A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2008 Scion xB. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for model year 2008-2015 Scion xB, and 2011-2016 Scion tC vehicles. Over time, the brake hoses in thes
Risk: Failure of a brake hose will reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify all known owners of the Scion xB and Scion tC vehicles upon which an involved optional TRD Brake Kit could have been installed. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-asse
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 20
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag ass
| Reliability raw | 54 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 95 | excellent |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 339 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 125 of them (37%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 54/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.