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Scion XAModel year report

2005 Scion XA Problems

Complaints
40filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
37,200miles, 27 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 35 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Scion XA (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2005 Scion XA. The part named most often is air bags, with 14 complaints (35% of the total), followed by visibility (6) and brakes (5). 27 of the complaints include a mileage, and 59% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,200 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 12 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 40 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Visibility complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “I am an older gal with no car...my daughter gave me her car so I could take my 95 year old mom around. One day the airbag light came on. I took it in and the man said it would be $700.00. I don't have any extra money. Today I saw the takata airbag recall on television. I called toyota..they said mine was not on the list. Just because it wasn't on the recall list....who is to say this airbag on this Scion is not takatas fault too. …”

NHTSA complaint #11144983, filed 2018-11, 166,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Dt: consumer states: head rest is too big and the back windshield is too small. When changing lanes or looking to back out the little spot in the middle one can see through. Its really a problem when driving on the interstate.”

NHTSA complaint #10122560, filed 2005-05, 300 miles

Brakes: “On june 15, 2009 I was parking my 2005 toyota Scion XA in my parking space at work. All of a sudden my car accelerated and the engine raced and took off over the bumper into the wall. I was unable to control the car because the brakes totally failed. When I pressed the brakes they just went all the way to the floorboard. My car is currently at the toyota dealership. Luckily I was not hurt but my car is a mess. When I explained the incident to the dealership, they did not seem concerned and would check out the car after the body work is done and the car becomes drivable again. …”

NHTSA complaint #10274122, filed 2009-06, 35,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I was pulling into a parking space, going slowly. All of a sudden, the car accelerated. It jumped the curb, took out a trash can, passed between 2 steel poles (meant to protect the building), took out a tree, hit the building, finally stopping at another tree. I was trying to brake the whole time but the car would not stop. I remember the entire incident. This unintended acceleration had happened 3-4 times previously but I was able to stop. After inspecting the car at the tow lot, my son and I could see that the frame was bent so I gave it to the tow lot for the cost of tow fees. …”

NHTSA complaint #11102812, filed 2018-06, 118,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

59% of the 27 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,500 and 110,000 miles.

30%0–1011%10–2519%25–504%50–754%75–10026%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (27 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 37,200 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

12200920122014201620182022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Scion XA version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
xA FWD1.5L 4-cyl4-speed automatic273530$2,250
xA FWD1.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual273430$2,250

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Scion XA → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 40 bulletins →

Other model years of the Scion XA

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20067150,0005—30Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20054037,2002—30Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20041431,0891—30—Not enough data

All Scion XA model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Scion XA have?

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2005 Scion XA as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Scion XA is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 14 complaints (35% of the total), followed by visibility with 6.

Has the 2005 Scion XA been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Scion XA get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Scion XA (xA, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Scion XA reported?

Among the 27 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,200 miles and the middle half falls between 6,500 and 110,000 miles; 59% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.