ScionXD2008Overview/scion/xd/2008/base/

2008 Scion XD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 XD.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Scion XD is a subcompact hatchback powered by a 4-cylinder engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, requiring 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 or 0W-20 API-grade oil for service, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. This model year represents the peak of owner complaints for the XD lineup, with 67 total complaints filed—its highest annual count across the model's 2006-2014 production span—with service brakes emerging as the most frequent concern, alongside five safety recalls issued.

Model year2014201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/32/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030169011. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.0-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030169011 alt 04152YZZA6
Engine air filter178010T030
Spark plug9091901275
Battery2880043262 alt 2880016151
Front wiper blades8522252170 alt 8521252180
Serpentine belt9091602664
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8713902090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 32 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the XD of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2008 Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Hatchback 1.8L I-47.90 sec16.40 sec128 hpFWD
2008Hatchback 1.8L I-48.30 sec16.50 sec128 hpFWD
2008Hatchback 1.8L I-48.40 sec16.50 sec128 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 / 0W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 27.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.6
Engine Oil5W-20 · 0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Manual Transmission FluidToyota LV MTF
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11.5 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts66 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub160 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.73-.86 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.51 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression156-213 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure3.6 psi @ Idle, 22-59 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0015 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.748 in
Drum Nominal Diameter9 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
136 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
345 degrees.45 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Scion XD shows a marked increase in federal complaints and recalls compared with the preceding 2006 model, which recorded only one complaint and one recall, while 2008 logged 67 complaints and five recalls. Following 2008, complaints decline steadily to 23 in 2009, 12 in 2010, and single‑digit levels thereafter, mirroring a similar drop in recalls from six in 2009 to zero by 2012‑2014. This pattern places the 2008 year at the peak of the complaint/recall arc for the generation, indicating a relatively problematic period. The most frequent complaint areas for 2008 are Service Brakes (8), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (6), Suspension (5), and Seats (3), with eight crash‑related complaints and no fire complaints recorded. Given the elevated complaint and recall levels in 2008 relative to adjacent years, it represents a less favorable year to purchase unless those specific issues have been verified as resolved.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
62
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
67
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 67 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Suspension5
Seats3
Air Bags3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Power Train3
Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V169000SeatsReported 09/04/2014

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 22, 2005, through May 12, 2010, and 2008-2010 Scion xD vehicles manufactured April 4, 2007, through May 12, 2010. In the affected… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat rail, and replace it with a new one, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may…

12V491000Visibility:Power Window Devices And ControlsReported 10/10/2012

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 62 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-PANT-2024-004-2024-03-04Engine And Engine CoolingThis is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil…
S-TT-0117-202020-12-11VisibilityTT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
S-SB-0012-14-Rev2017-08-29EquipmentTSB: REVISION NOTICE August 23, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include…
S-SB-0035-13 Rev2016-11-10EquipmentTSB: REVISION NOTICE November 10, 2016 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include…
S-SB-0015-14 Rev2015-05-26EngineSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific XD. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 XD take?

4.4 qt of 5W-20 OR 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 XD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the XD get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg.