Problems · by component

2008 Scion XB steering problems

37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Scion XB cite steering, 11% of all 339 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
37
11% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2025Steering, Service brakes, EngineODI 11675868
“I TURNED ON MY CAR AND WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL ICON LIT UP. THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PARK THE CAR ON THE STREET. I'M UNABLE TO USE THE CAR FOR ANYTHING ELSE AS I CAN BARELY STEER AT ALL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2017SteeringODI 11046890
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2017Steering, Service brakesODI 11033162
“POWER STEERING WENT OUT. GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS IT IS HAPPENING TO MANY 2008 SCION XB OWNERS. FROM PARKED, TURN KEY TO START, POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKS AND WARNING LIGHTS FLASH. TOO MANY 2008 SCION XBS ON THE ROAD TODAY ARE ENCOUNTERING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SHOULD BE FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2017SteeringODI 11002378
“VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO LOCATION AND PARKED. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO PULL AWAY, STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL ASSIST IN THE STEERING DISAPPEARED MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. HAD TO HAVE STEERING ECM REPLACED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2016Steering, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10882003
“TAKADA INFLATORS. WHILE DRIVING MY POWER STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER INCLUDING PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. IN MOTION ON 110 FREEWAY GOING 60 M PH WENT I LOST CONTROL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2016Steering, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10839331

Showing 6 of 37 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.