YearToAvoid

2008 Scion XB Visibility & Wipers Problems

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints about visibility and wiper problems in the 2008 Scion XB, 13% of all 339 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest visibility and wiper complaint count among 11 XB model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 1 fire. Median mileage at failure: 14,000 miles.

Visibility & Wipers complaints
45
13% of 339
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
14,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Scion XB visibility and wiper complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 1, 2007, latest Dec 7, 2015.

2008 Scion XB visibility & wipers complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2007Mar 2008Jul 2008Jan 2009Jul 2009Feb 2010Feb 2013
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2007 to Dec 2015; peak Jan 2008 (3).

Visibility & Wipers recalls for the 2008 Scion XB

  1. NHTSA 12V491000Oct 10, 2012Visibility & Wipers2,519,424 vehicles

    Visibility:power window devices and controls

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

    Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.

Visibility & Wipers complaints by XB model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200516 (17%)
  2. 2006148 (58%)
  3. 20071 (33%)
  4. 200845 (13%)
  5. 20092 (1%)
  6. 20103 (5%)
  7. 20110 (0%)
  8. 20120 (0%)
  9. 20130 (0%)
  10. 20140 (0%)
  11. 20150 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Scion XB have visibility and wiper problems?
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints about the visibility and wiper in the 2008 Scion XB, 13% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 14,000 miles.
Which Scion XB year has the most visibility and wiper complaints?
The 2006 Scion XB has the most visibility and wiper complaints (148), compared with 45 for the 2008.
Is there a visibility and wiper recall for the 2008 Scion XB?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Scion XB concerns the visibility and wiper: 12V491000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.