2008 Scion XB brakes problems

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · SC

I am writing to report significant safety concerns regarding my 2008 Scion [include model, e.g., tC or xB]. After purchasing the vehicle, I discovered multiple serious mechanical and structural defects that make the car unsafe to operate on public roads. 1. Suspension/Struts – The struts are severely worn and are causing premature and uneven tire wear. This creates a major risk of tire blowout or loss of control while driving. 2. Motor Mount – The engine mount is missing screws and bolts, which results in excessive engine movement. This could lead to engine damage or failure while in motion. 3. Alignment – The vehicle’s alignment is completely off, causing the car to pull while driving and further worsening tire wear and handling. 4. Brakes and Rotors – The brakes are nearly nonfunctional, and the rotors are warped and damaged, severely reducing stopping power and increasing the risk of a crash. 5. License Plate Mount – The vehicle has no designated place to mount a rear tag/license plate, which makes it illegal to drive and difficult to comply with state requirements. 6. Missing Headlight – One headlight is entirely missing, significantly reducing visibility at night and making the vehicle a danger to myself and others Fuel System – The fuel system is contaminated and requires flushing. This is causing performance issues, engine hesitation, and raises concerns about potential engine damage or stalling. I have been quoted over $2,500 in repairs just to bring the vehicle to a safe operating condition by 4 mechanics I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this matter and determine whether these issues represent a pattern of neglect, safety violations, or improper sales practices, especially if other owners have reported similar problems. Thank you for your time and attention to this serious matter.

Filed Oct 12, 2017 · Brakes, Steering · FL

Power steering shut off and the light is on on the dashboard with the break light too. Car was ok and then start to drive it on highway and all at a sudden the steering light went up and he brake light too and it shuted off the power steering

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 62,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 scion xb. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the traction control monitor and the brake warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to be repaired but the details were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jun 11, 2015 · Brakes · OR · crash · 1 injury

I looked to see how fast I was going (30 MPH) and when I looked back up there was a car stopped in the road approximately 35ft ahead of me. When I applied the brakes my car never slowed down and I hit the other car.

Filed Apr 1, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 58,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 83,515 miles · NJ

Salt and snow causes error codes c0210, rear speed sensor rh circuit to malfunction and shuts down the ABS, traction control, and air bag deployment. All safety devices are off when salt is used on roadways. Salt and snow causes error codes c0215, rear speed sensor lh circuit to malfunction and shuts down the ABS, traction control, and air bag deployment. All safety devices are off when salt is used on roadways. This is a know problem with 2008-2009 scion xb, toyota tsb s-sb-0040-09, july 6,2009 **the connectors for these sensors are exposed to the environment, causing non deployment of safety devices leading up to, and during a crash**

Filed Apr 10, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 48,000 miles · OH

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!

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 62,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Mar 21, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 91,892 miles · MI · crash

My scion experienced loss of stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes during a snow storm in winter 2012. Warning lights for ABS, brakes and vsc on the gauge cluster illuminated at that time. While driving at slow speed in the storm I realized that ABS was not working. The warning lights remained lit for about two days, then went out and did not return until december 2013. My vehicle was in california during the winter of 2013, and did not experience any loss of ABS, brakes, vsc or traction control or illuminated warning lights. In december 2013 while driving in a light snow, approx 2 inches, exiting a local highway and approaching a stop sign at 25 MPH I put pressure on the brakes to stop. My car spun around 360 degrees. I hit a snow bank and came to a stop. The entire time the vehicle stability system did not activate. The three warning lights for ABS, brakes and vcs are now continuosly lit. Anti-lock brakes, traction control and vehicle stability control still do not function.

Filed Jan 25, 2014 · Brakes · 34,000 miles · IL

Speed sensor failed due to shortening of wire. This has caused ABS system stop functioning. There are no re-call by toyota scion yet. This type of problem has caused by defective part. Notice other people had same problem on same day. Also, many people posted same problem on web.