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Electrical systemPart report

2008 Scion XB Electrical system Problems

Complaints
34about this part
Share
10%of 339 total for the year
Median mileage
62,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Scion XB, 10% of the 339 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My wife and I bought a Scion/toyota expecting better reliability. While my wife was in a parking lot the steering light came on and lost power assist. She was unable to drive the car in this condition. It is going to be a fairly costly repair. It is unfortunate toyota has not done something to help its customers. Due to the fact it is a known problem with a high failure rate.”

NHTSA complaint #10567098, filed 2014-03, 101,000 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.”

NHTSA complaint #10578697, filed 2014-04, 62,000 miles

“I my 2008 toyota Scion XB into shop for its 30k checkup. Had to bring the car back to marina del rey dealership for failing to put bolt back onto bottom of car. At the time told the dealer of problem with radio, intermittant power problem (radio would cut out), static, speaker problems. Was told that the car was driven around and had no problem. 2 months later fire started in the electrical harness area and burned the car to the ground.”

NHTSA complaint #10360699, filed 2010-10, 34,245 miles

“After purchasing my car I had to bring in to be serviced due to static speakers. The back speakers were replaced but that was not the last problem I would have with them. A few months later my ipod jack went up in smoke and melted my ipod. The service center had to special order the ipod jack and cable which took 30 days to arrive. After replacing said parts I tried them out. They did not function properly and I was told that was the best they could do. …”

NHTSA complaint #10255508, filed 2009-01, 6,000 miles

“I was driving at 20mph off a ramp onto another road and the steering locked up and I had to jam on my brakes to stop my car fast or the car would have went off the side down a hill and crashed. Thank god I was not going fast or I wouldn't be here. That was the first time here we go again 2nd time after I fix it replaced the steering computer behind the steering wheel under the dash, worked great for about a day,now I start the car the power steering light on dash comes on I put the car in drive and the light goes out but I have steering. …”

NHTSA complaint #10558548, filed 2014-01, 91,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2015117%
2013429%
201237%
201112%
201047%
200996%
20083410%
2006125%
20051112%
2004616%

Other parts of the 2008 Scion XB

Air bags
132 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
46 complaintsBrakes
39 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsEngine
35 complaintsElectronic stability control
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsWheels
9 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Scion XB

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology