10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,978 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #16

Feb 262012

xB 4-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
At just over 38,000 miles the brake, ABS, traction control, and vsc lights all illuminated on my dash. From what I have read it is most likely the rear speed sensors but also requires hundred of dollars worth of other parts to replace. I looked on many of the Scion Xb forums and found many many people with the same problem. Since I have owned this car(from new) it has been a pain. I have had to replace the O2 sensor the clutch master cylinder the rear brake pads and the low wheel pressure light goes on when it is cold or wet out. So much for Toyota reliability. I owned a 1985 Toyota Celica that had 185000 miles on it when I bought it drove it for 3 years and put on an additional 100000 miles myself and all I had to replace was an alternator belt. So why am I having so many problems with a car that is 23 years newer. I have also received a recall for the ignition coils. Seems to me as though all of us that own theses Xb's have been suckered into buying lemons.

- Franklin, WI, USA

problem #15

Dec 012010

xB

  • 70,000 miles
The anti-lock brake system (ABS), visibility stabile control (vsc) and traction control warning light, and brake indicators remain illuminated on the instrument panel. The repair center has advised me on different repairs that are inconsistent. One repair option is a faulty sensor in one of my rear wheels that needs replacing. The other repair was that the wheel bearing was bad on the left front wheel and that when fixed would re-set the sensor lights. This is an obvious flaw in the design of this vehicle and Toyota should make every effort to repair the sensor problem. I an not sure why the bearings need to be replaced at this time at over $500/wheel. The brake pads, rotors, calipers and other brake parts need frequent replacement at a very high cost.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #14

Feb 022012

xB 4-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
The ABS, vsc and brake indicator lights came on. Had to pay $110 to have diagnostics run-they found that the R rear wheel speed sensor wire had frayed and malfunctioned. I am able to drive the car but the consultant at Toyota told me that my ABS, vsc will not work because the sensor is bad. So I have to pay $ $1070.16 to replace the R rear hub, bearing, sensor and harness. I feel this is poor design and from what I see on the internet, this is not an isolated issue. I feel this is a safety issue due to poor design-Toyota/Scion is aware of the problem and should recall faulty parts/design.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #13

Jan 212012

xB

  • 69,700 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion Xb. While driving approximately 30 mph, the ABS, traction control and stability control warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the parking brake began to illuminate. The malfunction occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated to the contact that the rear driver side ABS sensor connector was faulty and would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 69,700.

- Riverdale , MD, USA

problem #12

May 032011

xB

  • 38,000 miles
Defective brakes or related problem with 2008 Scion Xb model. When vehicle comes to a stop, a loud, low/downward pitched sound occurs and it feels like either the brakes are grinding or something related to the drive train is having a problem. This is an intermittent problem, but occurs most often after the car has sit idle for awhile. Toyota technicians drove the car for 2 days and said they experienced/heard the problem, but were not sure what it was or how to fix it. They lubed the front brake glide pins and adjusted shim pan and charged me $120 even though the car is under warranty. Unfortunately that did not fix the problem and I am worried that the car braking system may fail while I am driving the car.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #11

Jan 282011

xB 4-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
1. driving on snow covered roads + salt several times + low temps lower then 30F 2. ABS+trac+vsc+brake trouble indicator all come on with the vsc light blinking, this occurs after snowfall and the roads being salted. Loss of traction control, vehicle stability control, anti lock brakes, and electronic brake distribution. Causing the car to loose all active safety features. 3. anti-lock electric connectors were removed cleaned with electronic cleaner and brushed to remove significant corrosion from the ABS sensor and plug. This hars resolved the problem for the moment.

- Medford, NJ, USA

problem #10

Jan 132011

xB 4-cyl

  • 49,100 miles
At about 49K miles, brake light, vsc & ABS warning lights starting coming on intermittently and simultaneously and remained on while driving.. per owner's manual took to dealer and was told cause was a defective speed sensor and that failure to fix could cause ABS and vsc systems to fail or not perform as designed. Dealer could provide no explanation for failure and cost of repair was over $1,000.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #9

Oct 082008

xB

  • 21,355 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Scion Xb. The contact stated he noticed an unusually loud screeching when depressing the brakes. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and advised the vehicle was safe to drive. The contact stated when the manufacturer discovered the vehicle was covered under an extended warranty he was advised by the dealer that the vehicle could be repaired and advised bringing the vehicle back for further testing. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The failure mileage was 21,355. The current mileage is approximately 53,000.

- Spring , TX, USA

problem #8

Nov 062008

xB

  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion. The contact stated when depressing the brakes, the brake pedal would fall into the floorboard and would feel spongy and soft. In addition, the vehicle was consuming large amounts of engine oil. The dealer was unable to duplicate or locate any failure within the vehicle. The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the current mileage 46,000.

- North Chelmsford, MA, USA

problem #7

Jan 022010

xB

  • 50,000 miles
I have a Toyota Scion Xb and I was driving on a snow covered road. I had a deer jump out in front of me. The anti-lock brakes failed and my wheels locked up and I slid into the ditch. I contacted the dealership and they said a speed sensor went out. I ordered the part and was going to have it replaced for $90. When they went to install the part they found a short in the wiring and that is what caused the sensor to fail. They wanted me to pay over $1000 to have the wiring fixed. They gave me a copy of the service advisory from Toyota stating they knew they had this defect and had a redesigned part to install because of corrosion which caused the short. I refused to have the new parts installed because I don't feel I should have to pay for their design flaws.

- Daphne, AL, USA

problem #6

Feb 142010

xB

  • 49,000 miles
I had been driving my 2008 scionxb in stop and go traffic for approximately and hour, then entered a toll road with speed of 65 mph. I had to go through two toll plazas, slowing down for each. I was approaching the exit ramp for my destination, applied my brakes to slow down and the car continued at high speed. The road conditions were dry. I was unable to bring my vehicle under control. Fortunately there was a snow pile that had been plowed to the end of the ramp at the intersection which softend my crash.the car was towed to an auto body shop. The brake line was examined and no ruptures were in the brakeline. I am waiting for more information from the insurance adjuster.

- Westmont, NJ, USA

problem #5

Mar 012010

xB

  • 53,000 miles
Dashboard warning light for brakes, ABS, and tcs light up randomly so the driver cannot determine if there is a problem with the brakes or it is a false warning. The car was examined by don joseph Toyota/Scion in kent, Ohio on March 1, 2010. They said the right rear sensor was malfunctioning and it would cost approximately $700 to repair it because the car has 53,000 miles on it and is out of warranty. This failure has been occurring intermittently for one month.

- Hudson, OH, USA

problem #4

Nov 152008

xB

  • 2,500 miles
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) my 2008 Toyota Scion has always had a master cylinder problem. When you are waiting at a light with your foot on the brake pedal, the pedal gradually sinks toward the floor. Ordinary braking is O.K. I have had the dealer look at it several times and he (gettel motors) always says it is all right. I reported it to Toyota in California with no results. I think it is a defective master cylinder that allows the brake fluid to by-pass. [xxx]

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 302009

xB

  • 21,000 miles
Winter brake problems-on cold days (30 and below)the right rear caliber locks and will not release.this problem occurs when the emergency brakes are on and the tempature is 30 or below.when the emergency brakes are released, only the one right rear caliber stays locked.I had to drive the vehicle to get the caliber hot enough to release the brakes.I can not use my emergency brakes at all!

- Edgewood, MD, USA

problem #2

Jan 292010

xB

  • miles
In my 2008 Scion tc (scroll down options would not allow me to select this model), I experience momentary failure of the brakes. This occurs when I drive over a pot hole, railroad tracks, etc. & attempt to brake at the same time. The brakes do not "catch" so to speak, and gives a feeling that they are just "bouncing" around, instead of actually slowing or stopping the car. This has occured at least 3 times since I purchased the car in 2008. It most recently occured last month.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 052010

xB

  • 111,000 miles
This concerns my leased 2008 Scion xd. The first time my brakes failed was about a week prior to receipt of the recall notice. I was going downhill at a very low rate of speed in very cold weather, dry ground. I put my foot on the brake & nothing happened. I had to swerve & bump the curb to slow the car and after about 15 feet, I was able to bring the car to a stop. The recall involves moisture collected on the positive crankcase ventilation port, seeps into the brake system vacuum port & freezes in colder temperatures causing brake failure. I had the recalled part replaced, & then the brakes failed again. Again at slow speed. This time on a flat surface. Very cold temperatures, but no inclement weather. I immediately called to schedule service. But before my appointment the brakes failed four times in one hair raising drive to work. I am amazed either myself or someone else was not hurt. I called the dealership & told them there was no way I would drive the car again. They sent a loan vehicle out with a driver to pick up my car & drive it back to the dealership. Now the mechanic is saying they can find nothing wrong with the vehicle. They are 'unable to recreate the problem.' I have a year left on the lease of this vehicle. There is no way I am going to subject myself to the danger of driving this car again. Six brake failures is more than enough. I met with a dead end trying to work with my dealership regarding my Scion xd. They could not duplicate the conditions under which my brakes failed to work. According to them, there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. It did not matter to them that their mechanic took it for a five minute spin in temps that were nearly 30 degrees warmer than the temps were when I encountered this problem. I spoke with a sales manager, the general manager and the head mechanic. I could tell the sales manager felt badly, but he was forced to tow the company line. The general manager was horribly condescending. They offered no solution to my problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA