7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
87,350 miles
Total Complaints:
28 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (13 reports)
  2. full or partial engine rebuild (12 reports)
  3. bought a new car (3 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Scion xB:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Scion dealer.

problem #28

Sep 012019

xB 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

So Toyota will do a oil consumption test. But they will overfill the oil so the car makes it through the 1,500 miles or so. I need to bring the car back as right now she is going through a quart every 325 miles.

- Darren P., Tulsa, US

problem #27

Sep 032019

xB 2.4L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

click to see larger images

excessive oil consumption

On 9/3/19, my 2008 Scion xB caught fire while on a major highway and burned before the fire trucks could arrive. Fortunately, no one was injured. I had given the car to my daughter while trying to have her own Civic repaired. She reported the car sounded OK when drove from my place to hers but in the morning and while driving, it sounded very loud. She didn't have any experience with the car so she just continued on to work (over 40 miles). Nearing her exit, she hear a 'pop' and shortly after, it caught fire.

n 2015, I had heard about the recall for excess oil consumption and my vehicle passed the test to qualify for replacement of the pistons/rings. Subsequently, I used the car sparingly as I am retired, putting on less than 15,000 miles, mostly in local traffic. It seemed to me that it was not using much oil, as every time I checked, the oil level had barely changed. I still did an oil change every 5000 miles or less.

After the car self-destructed, I did some research. I found a YouTube video by a guy who claimed to be an auto engineer. He said that he believed that Toyota screwed up the re-design of the pistons/rings. He looked at a replacement piston and compared it to the removed piston and found that the design of the rings looked to be unchanged and the only significant change he could detect was that Toyota eliminated two notches, one on either side of the piston. He said that this change would be counter productive as it would prevent proper circulation of the from the rings to the engine sump.

I wonder if any other owner has had a similar problem after participating in the recall? I now believe I was foolish for getting the pistons/rings replaced as my oil consumption was not that far over the limit (1 quart / 1000 miles or so).

I am going to lose some money as a result of this. I know there was a class action suit started over the oil consumption issue that was subsequently dropped. Does anybody know what that was about? I know that this same engine in my xB was used in numerous Toyota models.

- Mark W., Philadelphia, US

problem #26

Jan 012013

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I need to add a bottle of oil approximately every 2 weeks or tank of gas. Toyota had conducted an oil consumption test a few years back. The text was for only 1000 miles. According to Toyota, the test did not reveal excessive oil consumption; however, if the test had been conducted for a longer period, Toyota would have seen the severity of the problem.

It is disconcerting to constantly have to check the oil level and worry that my engine will be destroyed because I haven't added oil in the nick of time.

I think Toyota needs to own this problem and fix or replace he engine. I have been a loyal Toyota owner for many years. I don't know if I will purchase a Toyota in the future as this is the second vehicle that I have experienced this problem with. I thought it was an isolated problem, but this problem with two distinct vehicles?

- Elizabeth L. K., Palmdale, CA, US

problem #25

Aug 102017

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,891 miles

I have had my Scion for almost 10 years and it has run like a champ. In the last year I have noticed having to add oil to it once a month. It's not leaking anywhere, so it must be burning it up.

- Jessica I., Fairbanks, AK, US

problem #24

May 282018

xB 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 162,000 miles

I checked few weeks ago. I went to mechanical auto repair and they added three quarts of oil. Today I checked, now low oil.

- Chaim Z., Brooklyn, NY, US

problem #23

Aug 012017

xB 5 DR Wagon 2.4L V4

  • Manual transmission
  • 107,000 miles

My oil light is turning on at around 2,000 miles from oil change. Checked the oil and it was very low. I was told there is a Warranty Extension and my car would need a test. Then, Hurricane Maria came and changed our life's for good. Now Toyota would not do the test because my 10 years expired on Oct-2017. I believe that the Hurricane situation should be considered as an exemption because it's something out of the ordinary.

- William T., San Juan, Puerto Rico

problem #22

Jun 012013

xB Wagon 2.4L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I had the dealer do the oil consumption test about 1.5 year ago. They told me everything is ok. I been adding 3/4 -1 quart every week. Not sure what test they are doing. I saw this on you tube & wonder if this also happen to me when the test was done. Please help.Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QaZU13uZRE&feature=youtu.be

- nlee18318, beaverton, US

problem #21

May 062017

xB SU 2.4L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,000 miles

My 2008 Scion xb uses a lot of oil on average, two quarts per week. A real problem. I drive about between 80 and 100 miles a day. What can be done about this problem, and can I have the car repaired under warranty by Toyota?

- Ardanies B., Sumter, SC, US

problem #20

Mar 242017

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I have to keep going to my mechanic every month to add oil. And I don't even drive THAT much. He is the one that told me Scion Xb has this problem. HELP!

- Aileen H., El Segundo, CA, US

problem #19

May 012017

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Our car has the excessive oil consumption issue and we are getting no help from Toyota. We were told if we called last month when we noticed the issue then it would have been covered under the warranty related to the oil consumption problem (even though we did not know about this issue until now). If this is a known issue why put a time frame on the issue and not just recall the problem and fix it. We now have a car that is worth near nothing because of the cost to fix it. Toyota will not help us out at all even though the issue is known to them. We do not want to sell the car to anyone because of the issue. Soon we will be losing our pride as a Scion and Toyota owner and will look elsewhere for a new car. The sad thing is that we go to the Toyota dealership for all the oil changes and they have not said a word about this to us.

- Chad C., Riverside, US

problem #18

Nov 152016

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I first noticed my oil pressure light coming on, and realized the car was making a funny noise before it needed a oil change. After getting a oil change the sound was gone until next time. At about 1500 miles the car makes the same sound and the car is almost completely empty of oil.

- Tiffany F., Omaha, US

problem #17

Jan 072017

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

We bought this car new in 2008. Within the first 1000 miles, my wife noticed it was using a lot of oil. She began checking the oil regularly, and adding oil accordingly. At approximately 50,000 miles she had the Dealer do an oil consumption test. It was less than a quart per thousand miles. Now, at approximately 85,000 miles, the engine just ran very rough, and the mechanic reported the plugs were fowled with oil. We're going to have a second oil consumption test done. Excessive oil consumption has been a problem with this car from the very beginning.

- Mark C., Vashon, WA, US

problem #16

Oct 012014

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

So I had to deal with the Dealerships a total of 5 times, so I am complaining at least 3 times. The first and worst of the dealerships in regards to customer service, respect of customer, and standing behind their product is Camelback Toyota. I have all of the service docs if anyone wants to see them. This dealership is a nightmare, never have I experienced worse treatment.

The 2nd dealership we tried was Brent Berge's Riverview Toyota Scion. Once again, they wanted to help with a new car, a paid service, and were not at all interested in addressing our problem with excessive oil consumption.

Their oil consumption test is rigged. Toyota is a bad actor on this and most every service related issue where they have to take care of their customers without taking a chunk out of our pocket. Nightmare!!

- Jennifer V., Tempe, AZ, US

problem #15

Oct 012014

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I see complaints related to this engine and oil consumption all over the internet. There are class action suits in the works. There is a bunch of super unhappy customers. I will continue to complain and report this until Toyota does something collectively to all of us who suffer from their shoddy work. Lousy engine and even worse customer service.

- Jennifer V., Tempe, AZ, US

problem #14

Jun 262015

xB 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,000 miles

It definitely does NOT have a leak, and it consumes about 1 qt./500 mi. A pain in the ass.

- Garrick C., Fort Wayne, IN, US

problem #13

Oct 102010

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,500 miles

In 2008 I brought my car straight off the showroom floor with no car payment the type of car I had been wanting for years, car was running fine until a year out I began to notice some knocking in the engine , I took the car in the told me that this was the way the car was suppose to sound until it warmed up now remind you i had already been driving and hour then how long does it take to warm a car? So after several trips back and forth they came up with my engine needed to be replaced, So i received a quote unquote a new engine I thought . I having been going back and forth with this engine since they replaced it one to find out several months ago that their was a recall on the engine in my car that I have been complaining about for year making sounds knocking etc. leaking oil .so they do a consumption test how ever at that time my car don't qualify but my car is still loosing oil making noice etc what am I to do ? so tired I paid to much money for this car to find out that they put a rebulit engine back in my car instead of a new one.

- Frances P., indianapolis, IN, US

problem #12

May 182016

xB 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The Dealer toll me that my car have a normal consumption oil

- Quincy R., San Juan, US

problem #11

May 032012

xB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

After received the oil consumption notice from sion took it to Allen Toyota in Gulfport Ms, after three test they said it pass, with in two to three weeks oil light come on two quarts low. they added oil and each time at my costs Allen Toyota said it was nothing they could do and gave me 1 800 number to Toyota. After talking to them they ask me to go to another Toyota Dealer ship about a hour from my home Moss Point Ms, they was really helpful started the oil consumption test and up on bringing it back after 1300 miles they told me it failed, and it was 2 quarts low, and the would let me know when the parts come in after two weeks I called and the services dept. told me it pass the test,need to say I was so disappointed, I ask to speck to a manager and Joan the let me know it was a mistake and it did not pass and they would get me in as soon as the parts come in,and would give me a vichiel to use while mine be repaired,after two more weeks I called Toyota co again and they gave me sion phone number, I talked to them and they called Esterbrook in Moss point,ms and they both to.d me soon as the parts come in they will call,it's, been before 2014 and I have not gotten the problem fix and I still waiting!!!

- Anetta J., Gulfport, US

problem #10

Jul 092013

xB 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Biggest lemon I have ever purchased, and Toyota's indifference and denial is so frustrating. I will never, ever, purchase a Toyota, Scion, or Lexus as long as I live...Efff you Toyota.

- Ilyas O., Paterson, NJ, US

problem #9

Jan 012016

xB 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

Jan 2016 -- Got a letter about excessive oil consumption in my 08 Scion Xb (Toyota engine). Took car to dealer for an 'oil consumption test' which my car failed (the engine light came on during the test due to low oil). They are right now rebuilding the engine with new pistons and rings, etc.... plus they gave me a loaner car for 3/4 days too.

My dealer says the only parts not covered (by this "extended warranty repair" -- not a recall) are the engine valve stem seals, a set of new spark plugs, and a new PCV valve -- all of which I chose to pay parts / labor cost of $555. Did that cause basically I will now have a new /rebuilt/ engine!

Sorry for all the people who came before me who might have paid for this repair themselves before the class-action lawsuit was filed in California courts. If you did pay for this in the past, you can apply to Toyota for reimbursement.

- Norman H., Oliver Springs, US

Read the next 8 complaints »