FaultScore

Scion XB steering problems

48 of the 1,291 complaints filed about the Scion XB are about the steering — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2008.

48

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

0

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

2006 XB 8 16.7%

Median failure at 48,450 miles

2008 XB 37 77.1%

Median failure at 83,000 miles

2009 XB 1 2.1%

Median failure at 26,500 miles

2010 XB 1 2.1%

Median failure at 928 miles

2011 XB 1 2.1%

What owners said

2006 Scion XB Midland, TX Crash 1 injured

STEERING

changed from outside lane to inside lane, when I tried to turn right to stay in the middle lane the steering wheel locked sending me into the left hand turn lane and then into a car that was in the next lane, hitting their left rear tire. I told the insurance adjuster about the issue, he told me they would have the car checked, but I don't think he or my insurance company had the car issue inspected or investigated. The accident seemed minor, but the other party is claiming bodily injury. Maybe you guys can see who has the car and get it checked. I have tried asking the Auction company who bought the car, but they would not release that information to me.

NHTSA complaint #11739470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Scion XB Midland, TX Crash

STEERING

Was changing lanes from the outside lane to middle lane, when I tried to turn the steering wheel to the right it locked and the car continued straight, crossing the left hand turn lane and it collided with another vehicle in the next lane. After the car came to a stop I again tried turning the steering wheel both Left and right and it wouldn't move. After the car was turned off and restarted the steering wheel would turn left of right. I believe the mechanism that connects from the ignition to the steering wheel must have released while I was driving - locking the steering wheel preventing me from turning the car and avoiding the accident. I asked the insurance adjuster to have the car checked for this issue and he said they would, but I think they ignored me and now the car has been actioned of last July. When I asked the auction company who bought it and told them about the issue, they refused to tell me any information about it. If you can. Please have the car checked and email me what you find.

NHTSA complaint #11739099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB Greenville, SC

STEERING

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA complaint #11675868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Scion XB Fallbrook, CA

STEERING

The steering becomes hard to control after being on the highway for around 40-60 mins. It is hard to keep the vehicle on track because the steering is "sticky" and it takes more force to keep the vehicle in its lane, hence we wander within the lane and appear to be either drunk or not in full control. The problem is intermittent but does occur at various degrees on any given day. We are afraid there will be an accident when we cannot control correctly.

NHTSA complaint #11529194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 139,353 miles Sacramento, CA

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11046890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB Altamonte Springs, FL

STEERING

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

NHTSA complaint #11033162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 56,130 miles Long Beach, CA

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11002378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB Green BAY, WI

STEERING

I WAS BACKING UP INTO THE GARAGE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL THE USE OF THE POWER STEERING

NHTSA complaint #10955461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Scion XB at 73,000 miles Tide Water, OR Crash 1 injured

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THE CONTACT CROSSED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BREAST BONE AND RIBS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10892494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 55,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10882003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 128,300 miles Boise, ID

STEERING

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED DURING DRIVING. POWER STEERING LIGHT REMAINS ACTIVATED.

NHTSA complaint #10852607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB LOS Angeles, CA

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10839331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 110,000 miles Alney, MD

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION XB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE WAS 110.00.

NHTSA complaint #10823903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 72,000 miles Haughton, LA

STEERING

ELECTRONIC STEERIN MODULE LOCATED UNDER THE DASH ARE A DANGER TO PEOPLES LIVES AND CAN GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THESE MODULES ON A 2008 MALIBU, 2009 SATURN AND MANY OTHER VEHICLES ARE KNOWN TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTUERS OF THE AUTO HAVE ISSUED A TSB ON THIS ITEM WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. IF THIS MATTER IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF ASAP SOMEONE WILL LOSE THIER LIFE! JUST A MATTER OF TIME! I HAVE 35 YEARS MECHANIC EXPERIENCE ON VEHICLES AND 27 YEARS EXPERIENCE ON JET ENGINES WITH THE GOV. THESE SAME TYPE MODULES ARE BEING USED ON CURRENT MODEL VEHICLES OF ALL MAKES AND SHOULD BE DEEMED UNSAFE! ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO HABDLE YOUR VEHICLE AFTER FAILURE IS A DANGER TO LIVES AND MANUFACTUERS ARE AWARE OF THIS. THEY WOULD NOT HAVE ISSUED TSB'S IF THEY WERE NOT AWARE! READ ONLINE IN FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS THIER HAS BEEN CRASHES RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES!

NHTSA complaint #10820471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 153,063 miles Concord, CA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION XB. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,063.

NHTSA complaint #10808807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 87,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

STEERING

STARTED THE CAR AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA SPECIALTY MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ECU HAD FAILED AT IT COULD ONLY BE FIXED PROPERLY AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10783845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB SAN Francisco, CA

STEERING

ON 9/14/15 AROUND 7AM MY POWER STEERING WAS WORKING GREAT, BUT 30 MIN. WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON I SAW THE STEERING WHEEL WARNING INDICATOR HAS TURNED ON. NOT KNOWING ANYTHING I DROVE MY CAR TO AN AUTOBODY TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE ELECTRIC MECHANISM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND TO BRING MY CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. LATER THAT DAY I DROVE MY CAR TO THE DEALER WITH A REALLY STIFF STEERING WHEEL. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS INOPERATIVE, SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE PART AND THE TOTAL HAS PUT A HOLE IN MY WALLET. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE JULY 2007 AND IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN 10 YEARS YET THAT PART IS NOT FUNCTIONAL ANYMORE.

NHTSA complaint #10764522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 90,000 miles Hilo, HI

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION XB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10758888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 46,562 miles Ludlow, MA

STEERING

TODAY (APRIL 23, 2015) I STOPPED AT A STORE, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER RETURNING TO MY CAR I STARTED IT AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO SEARS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS THE ECU. I WAS TOLD BY SEARS THAT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BRING IT TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. I DROPPED IT OFF ABOUT AN HOUR AGO AND AM WAITING TO GET HIT WITH THE REPAIR COSTS.

NHTSA complaint #10712516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Scion XB at 82,619 miles SAN Antonio, TX

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION XB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,619.

NHTSA complaint #10711927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Scion XB problems