10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,519 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 #15

Dec 012011

xB 4-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
The initial incident occurred while driving the vehicle on partially snow covered pavement. As I applied the brakes to stop at an intersection, the vehicle began to skid. The vehicle stability control and ABS systems did not work, and the brake, ABS and vsc lights came on. The warning lights remained on for approximately one day as I continued to drive. After the warning lights turned off, they remained off for approximately two weeks, then the ABS and vsc systems failed again and the lights came back on. This problem occurs fairly regularly, six to eight times per year. I was quoted a cost of around $1200 to replace the rear hub assemblies and wiring harness replaced, with no guarantee that would solve the problem.

- Mokena, IL, USA

problem #14

Sep 262014

xB 4-cyl

  • 122,913 miles
I recently experienced a "sudden acceleration incident". our 2008 Scion Xb was driven over 122,000 miles without major malfunction until 3:30 pm on September 26 2014. Then, after stopping at our mailbox on the left side of the road, I proceeded 15 feet to our driveway entrance and made a left turn to position the car to pass through our gate, about 20 feet ahead. My speed was under 5 mph. I may or may not have touched the brake and/or accelerator pedal to adjust speed. Suddenly, the engine roared into wide-open-throttle and the car lurched forward. The car went through the gate, grazing the left gatepost, which shattered the left-front hubcap and sheared off the left mirror mount. The car then careened down our driveway while I attempted to steer and apply the brake. After about 2 seconds, during which the car traversed about 100 feet down the driveway, the engine abruptly slowed to normal and the brakes stopped the car. Damage included the sheared-off left mirror assembly, left-front hubcap, and minor denting of the left-front wheel well. The car engine has behaved normally since but has not been driven beyond our driveway. I experienced no impact or injury, aside from shock.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #13

Dec 162013

xB 4-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
After a snowstorm, my ABS, vsc, stability control and traction control lights came on. Stayed on. Took to mechanic, they went out. He suspects ice build up. Ran scan. It shows right rear wheel sensor problem. Lights come on intermittently. Son's car is in shop for GM ignition recall for over a month now. So he drove my Scion to college. Called me and said lights were on again. I called mechanic, he feels it could be wheel bearing or speed sensor in that wheel, either rust or corrosion due to intermittent lights. He checked it again. Now vsc and traction lights are on anytime car is drive. I am taking it in today for wheel bearing replacement. After reading multiple complaints on this site, I am very upset and disappointed in what I thought was my dream car!!! Toyota needs to issue a recall and fix this problem immediately!

- West Milton, OH, USA

problem #12

Dec 012013

xB

  • 62,000 miles
While driving down the road all of these lights came on. The lights on are the brake light, the ABS. The skid control, and the vsc. These lights came on during the winter and went back out several times. During January they came on and have not gone out sense. When I purchased the car the car fax report had said that the car had been in for a electrical problem previously. I am unsure if it is causing any problems but wonder if there are any safety problems connected with these lights.

- Twin Lake, MI, USA

problem #11

Apr 222013

xB

  • 41,240 miles
I was coming to a stop and my brakes stuttered and seemed as if they locked up. Immediately after my brake, ABS, vsc and traction control lights came on. Minutes later they turned off but since then keep coming on and going off. The roads were very dry no rain or snow conditions. It has happened multiple times in the past week. Now I am scared to drive my car for the time being before they can get me into look at it. $120 to diagnose it and who knows how much afterwards. I have had this car for almost 5 years with only 80 miles on it when I purchased it. I am very upset for how much I've had to replace on this car. I only drive it to work and home with the occasional errands. Is it worth shelling out another $1000. This should be looked into for a recall.

- Waunakee, WI, USA

problem #10

Dec 302012

xB

  • 78,000 miles
While driving on snowy and salted roads, the brake, ABS, and vsc lights all came on at the same time. They remained on while driving on those same snowy and salty roads. The next day they eventually went off. Weeks later they came on again in wet weather and remained on. The local Toyota service center duplicated the issue and pulled the diagnostic codes C0210 & C1238. The Toyota service center said the entire hub and bearing assembly had to be replaced as the internal ABS sensor which they said was at fault was not sold separately and only came as part of the hub and bearing assembly kit. Their quote to repair this issue was $915 for the replacement of one hub and bearing kit! this is ridiculous. Brake sensors should not fail due to snow, salt, or water coming into contact with them. This is a dangerous flaw in the design of this vehicle and one that is not commonly found with other makes and models, but is commonly reported all over the internet from other owners of Toyota's Scion Xb. Toyota should issue a safety recall for this vehicle and cover the cost to replace the sensors with ones that do not fail due to weather conditions.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #9

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 #8

Aug 082010

xB

  • 15,300 miles
Driving on U.S 23 in Michigan, trying to slow down from 55 mph to 35 due to approaching au gres, mich. Could not slow down, started weaving in and out of traffic to avoid cars then turned off engine, took car out of gear, car kept going. The only way the car could be stopped was to hit a tree. The car was totaled. The air bag did not deploy.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #7

May 152009

xB

  • 49,600 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Scion Xb. The contact was driving 60 mph and attempting to pass another vehicle. The vehicle abnormally accelerated from 60 to 70 mph. The accelerated pedal had become stuck in the open throttle position and would not release. The contact stated he had previously experienced the failure and was advised NY the dealer that the pedal most likely had become stuck under the floor mat causing it not to release. The manufacturer was not contacted on either occasion. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 49,600.

- Juno Beach, FL, USA

problem #6

Nov 152009

xB

  • 48,505 miles
ABS system / vehicle stability control system failure. Faulty speed sensors, harness, and wires / both left and right sides. Defect results in permanent loss of ABS braking and vsc control systems.

- Cranberry Twp., PA, USA

problem #5

Nov 122008

xB

  • 3,000 miles
I bought a 2008 Scion xd in September 2008. 6 weeks after I bought the car, I totaled it when steering on an on-ramp to the highway. It spun three times and finally stopped after hitting the guardrail. I was alone. I got whiplash. I am a very experienced driver but the car lost absolute control at a low speed (under 25 mph) but on wet blacktop in the fall in new england.. the car was $30 from being classified as a total. The body shop was owned by the dealer - not sure if the $30 discrepancy had anything to do with that. They also said the frame/unibody was slightly off and left me with a totally valueless car with 3,000 miles on it. Since then I do not trust the steering of the car. It does seem to swim at speeds over 55 - 60 mph - almost a hydroplaning feel to the steering on dry pavement. I wonder what it will take for it to be recalled?

- Winchester, MA, USA

problem #4

Dec 302009

xB

  • 5,000 miles
2008 Scion accelerator problem. Car was at a full stop prior my turning into a small parking lot, when the brakes released the Scion sped forward. I was unable to stop.the Scion. My car was totaled the driver seat pushed forward throwing me into the steering wheel and pining me there. Although the air bag deployed I was injured when I hit the steering wheel. My neck also was affected from the impact. Unfortunately the car hit a parked car which brought the my car to a full stop throwing me into the steering wheel. I was taken to an emergency hospital where I underwent 3 cts and was seen by a doctor. Upon discharge I went home with instructions. I have since had a physical therapy help with my neck.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #3

Oct 062009

xB

  • 8,232 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Scion Xb. The contact stated while stopped with her foot on brake the vehicle surged forward and accelerated on its own hitting another vehicle in front of her. There were no injuries and there was no police report. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and they diagnosed it stating it was a power surge within the computer mechanism. They repaired and reset it. The failure has not occurred since the repair was done. They also checked the brake and stated that it was not an issue. The failure mileage was 8232 and current mileage was 31570.

- Stevensville Branch, CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 302009

xB

  • 5,000 miles
The Toyota Scion I was driving suddenly sped up causing me to crash into a hedge in a parking lot. I had come to a complete stop in odor to turn into the parking lot when the accelerator stuck.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #1

Nov 212008

xB

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Scion Xb. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle "puttered" as if it would stall. The vehicle would not move when the accelerator pedal was depressed and nearly caused a crash. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The issue occurred a total of five times and the vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions. On the first visit, the dealer replaced the engine harness. On the second visit, they moved the coils around and then replaced the coils during the third visit. None of the repairs remedied the failure. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 11,000 and failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA