2008 Scion XD Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Feb 18, 2026 · 67 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other XD years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 8 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Scion XD. That is the most of any XD model year in the database (8 years). The most reported problem area is service brakes (19 complaints, 28%), typically at around 55,000 miles. Complaints mention 8 crashes, 2 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

Scion XD
2008 Scion xD photographed in Sterling, Virginia , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 Scion XD problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes19 · ~55,000 mi
Suspension11 · ~116,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10 · ~36,050 mi
Vehicle Speed Control9 · ~34,000 mi
Electrical System7 · ~61,000 mi
Air Bags6 · ~72,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)6 · ~37,027 mi
Seats5 · ~71,644 mi
Engine3 · ~110,000 mi
Power Train3 · ~86,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes1928%55,000——
Suspension1116%116,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1015%36,050——
Vehicle Speed Control913%34,000——
Electrical System710%61,000——
Air Bags69%72,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)69%37,027——
Seats57%71,644——
Engine34%110,000——
Power Train34%86,000——
Seat Belts34%30,547——
Steering34%87,605——
Wheels34%130,000——
Fuel/propulsion System23%112,375——
Parking Brake23%62,000——
Structure23%44,075——
Visibility/wiper23%135,000——
Exterior Lighting11%———
Fuel System, Other11%34,000——
Tires11%93,561——
Traction Control System11%60,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 12 complaints
2008: 2200822010: 7201072011: 8201182012: 6201262013: 7201372014: 122014122015: 7201572016: 5201652017: 5201752018: 4201842020: 2202022023: 1202312026: 120261

n = 67 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Scion XD recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

SeatsApr 9, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V169000 · 472,388 vehicles

Problem: 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. In the affected vehicles, the springs used for the seat rails on the driver's seat and the seat rails of the front passenger seat of three-door models may break.

Risk: If the spring breaks, the seat may not lock in position. In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat could move increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: 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 controlsOct 10, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V491000 · 2,519,424 vehicles

Problem: 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. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

Fix: 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. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.

Equipment:other:labelsFeb 3, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

Fix: 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. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.

Equipment:other:labelsFeb 3, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumAug 27, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V338000 · 95,705 vehicles

Problem: 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 york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. When driving under certain unique conditions in extremely low ambient temperatures, the intake manifold suction port for the brake vacuum can become blocked due to the freezing of condensation resulting from positive crankcase ventilation.

Risk: This could lead to an increase in vehicle stopping distance and a crash could occur.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

This complaint is about other cars affecting me while I’m driving at night. Around 50% of oncoming traffic is using dangerously bright headlights. It is so bright that it’s physically painful to my eyes and leaves a blind spot in my field of vision that lasts for several minutes after each…

Exterior Lighting · received Feb 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11718963

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…

Suspension · received Sep 26, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11546560

My warning lights on the dash are coming on and causing the car to lock up, jerk, and stall while in motion in slower speeds usually when at a street sign and going into a turn, a stop light also going into a turn on main hwys and worse of all in neighborhoods prior to my getting to the hospital…

Electronic Stability Control (esc) · received Sep 13, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11354731

Noticed right rear tire was leaning inward. Found the rear axle assembly cracked. We then had it welded and checked the other side. Nothing was visible, but was informed that assembly could be rusting from inside out. Several weeks later, while traveling the highway, car started making noise and…

Suspension · received Aug 28, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11351805

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 scion xd. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v169000 (seats). The contact called an unknown dealer and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were…

Seats · received Sep 4, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11124341

Other Scion XD years

← 2006 XD · 2009 XD →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2014 XD40
2013 XD20
2012 XD50
2011 XD31
2010 XD124
2009 XD236
2008675
2006 XD11

See all Scion XD problems by year, every Scion model, or the VIN decoder.

Similar Scion models

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Scion XD?

Owners most often report service brakes, suspension, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, service brakes, accounts for 19 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Scion XD?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Scion XD a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other XD model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.