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Scion XAModel year report

2006 Scion XA Problems

Complaints
71filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,000miles, 59 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher 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 2006 Scion XA (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 Scion xA most often describe a check-engine light traced to the evaporative emissions system, with the charcoal canister, filter and fuel filler area needing replacement and water intrusion reported as the recurring factor. A second large group of complaints concerns the airbag system, mainly a warning light that stays on or flashes, alongside reports of airbags not deploying in crashes. Other reports cover sudden or stuck acceleration, electrical switch failures and brake behavior.

  1. Fuel system

    Check-engine light from evaporative emissions system

    • 20 complaints (28%)
    • median 62,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $750 (median of 9 quotes)
    • filed 2009–2017

    Owners describe the check-engine light coming on and diagnostics pointing to evaporative emissions codes such as P2401, P043E, P043F and P2419. Dealers typically replaced the charcoal canister assembly, charcoal filter and sometimes the fuel filler pipe or tank, with owners citing bills in the several-hundred-dollar range. Several say the light and same codes returned after the repair; some describe water collecting in the canister or filter as the explanation given at the dealer. A service bulletin is referenced by owners addressing related diagnostic codes in this system. Reported from roughly 13,000 to 138,000 miles, often in the 40,000-100,000 mile range, and some owners link it to rainy or damp conditions.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the canister, filter and fuel filler parts have been replaced and check that the check-engine light is off with no stored evaporative codes before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Vapor canister and filter failure due to unknown causes, this effects the emissions and mileage per gallon drop. After contacting multiple dealerships they told me this has been a common problem with my model car and all dealers have been flooded with this kind of problem with toyota's as well. I was told that a technical service bulletin had been issued on this problem due to the design problem in the evap system.”

    NHTSA complaint #10293678, filed 2009-11, 66,986 miles

    “I own a 2006 Scion XA and like many others, have had to replace the charcoal canister, etc. The check engine light came on again, and again the codes say it is the same problem. Why does toyota get away with this? It seems like a class action suite to me!!! Thieves!!!”

    NHTSA complaint #10838890, filed 2016-02, 128,000 miles
  2. Air bags

    Airbags not deploying in a collision

    • 9 complaints (13%)
    • median 45,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2026

    Owners describe front, side and offset impacts in which the airbags did not deploy, and in some accounts seat belts did not lock or restrain occupants. In several cases the vehicle was struck while moving or parked and the damage was substantial. Owners report contacting the manufacturer and being told deployment depends on impact severity and deceleration, and some note the vehicle was not covered by the airbag control module campaign. Reported across a wide mileage span, from about 6,000 to 139,000 miles, in varied weather and road conditions.

    Recall 18V7760002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for the recall repair record on the SRS module and have a shop verify airbag and seat belt pretensioner function and check for any stored crash or sensor codes.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The accident occurred in republic, mo at the intersection of hwys. 60 and p. I entered the intersection traveling west on hwy 60, making a left turn (south) on a green arrow onto hwy p. A driver traveling east on hwy 60 ran a red light (she claims it was yellow) and struck my vehicle on the front passenger side. At the time of the accident, I was wearing my seat belt. But, as the airbag deployed and the momentum of the crash was set in motion, I was thrown sideways into the passenger seat. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10473064, filed 2012-08, 97,000 miles

    “Could not get the form to pull up, but I need to complain. My 2 kids and I were turning off one side road to turn onto another. Well I didnt want to hit the dog that ran out in front of the car so I dodged the dog. Well I hit a telephone pole and I completely messed up the front end of my car. The airbags never deployed, they should have from where the car hit and how much damage I have done. Luckily no one got hurt but I'm like 100% positive those airbags should have deployed. I did a good $1,000 repair just to get it moving again”

    NHTSA complaint #11218807, filed 2019-06, 139,000 miles
  3. Vehicle speed control

    Sudden or stuck acceleration / cruise control not

    • 6 complaints (8%)
    • median 70,043 mi at 6.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2016

    Complaints describe the engine revving and the car accelerating without input, or the throttle staying engaged after the pedal is released, with brakes slow to bring speed down. Some owners say the cruise control would not turn off or would only accelerate when adjusted, and one dealer attributed an incident to an aftermarket cruise control switch. Others describe the car lunging or not responding to the accelerator at low speed. Reported from about 13,000 to roughly 111,000 miles, at both city and highway speeds.

    Recall 07V048000Recall 07V030000

    What to check: Ask whether a dealer-installed cruise control module was fitted and whether that recall was completed; on a test drive confirm the throttle returns fully and the cruise control cancels with the brake and the on/off switch.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “This happened june 28, 2016. While driving under 35 MPH speed limit, car speed suddenly accelerated, I hit the brake pedal hard several times, no response, vehicle continued at high speed, vehicle now running left and right uncontrollably, got hold of the hand brake and pulled it up hard, vehicle slowed down just in time before the road ended to a sharp left turn. I was on city road and luckily there was no other vehicle at the time.”

    NHTSA complaint #10881544, filed 2016-06, 129,000 miles

    “Sudden acceleration incident. First time it happened. 2006 Scion XA. Driving back from n.m. On I-25. Going approx. 65 MPH. Was passing car on right when came to a hill. Had to accelerate. Suddenly car engine revved up, made a loud noise and rapidly accelerated. I couldn't slow it down because the brakes wouldn't work. I managed to get around the car and tried to slow down the car so that I could get off on the right shoulder and stop the car. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10292146, filed 2009-11, 40,586 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbag warning light on or flashing

    • 10 complaints (14%)
    • median 62,055 mi at 6.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2025

    Complaints describe the airbag or SRS warning light flashing or staying lit for hours or days, sometimes intermittently. Dealers have attributed it to a loose connector under the passenger seat, and in other cases to a module in the SRS system with a quoted replacement cost. Some owners report the same light returning after a recall-related repair, and several mention checking their VIN against the airbag control module recall and being told their vehicle was not included. Reported from about 15,000 to nearly 100,000 miles; some cars were still under warranty when it first appeared.

    Recall 18V7760002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Confirm the airbag control module recall work was completed for this VIN, and have the SRS system scanned for stored codes and the under-seat connectors checked.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The air bag warning light has come on a few times and stayed on for about half a day, or a full day, before going off. This has happened a few times over the past couple of years. Because the light goes off, I have figured it was just an electrical malfunction and everything was fine. But I am concerned after seeing yesterday's recall notice about other toyotas in which a problem with an electrical connection between the steering and air bags has meant that the air bags will not deploy. A warning light is associated with this problem. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10578842, filed 2014-04, 15,000 miles

    “The airbag warning light started flashing while driving. I checked for recalls and my model year has one for this problem but when I enter the VIN the result says that there isn't a recall for it.”

    NHTSA complaint #11645388, filed 2025-02
  5. Electrical system

    Power window and interior electrical switch failures

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe power window switches, especially the master switch, failing so a window can no longer be raised, and some report replacing multiple window motors or switches. Complaints note that other models were recalled for window switch problems while owners were told this model year was not covered. Others mention hard warm starting and intermittent electrical faults. Mostly reported between about 98,000 and 135,000 miles.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Operate every window from both the driver and passenger switches, and ask whether any window switch or motor has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I own an 2006 Scion XA and I having trouble to start the engine when it's get warm or normal operating temperature. When the engine is cold like on mornings it star right away with a few cranks but after it's gets warm I to crank times stop cranking and crank it again until engine start, cars run fine and got no check engine code on it.”

    NHTSA complaint #10816701, filed 2015-12, 138,373 miles

    “Hello, I have already replaced three electrical motors for my 2006 Scion XA. I see several other Scion's on the recall for this. I would say my Scion XA should be on as well. I have spent over $1,300 on these repairs, as well as other repairs.”

    NHTSA complaint #10785951, filed 2015-10, 120,000 miles

Buying note. Check the emissions system carefully on a 2006 xA, since the evaporative canister repair appears to recur, and confirm the airbag control module recall was done for the specific VIN. A pre-purchase scan for stored codes and a test drive covering brakes, throttle response and cruise control will surface most of what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 71 consumer complaints for the 2006 Scion XA. 59 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 42 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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: Equipment (3), Exterior lighting (3), Body and structure (2), Tires (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Electronic stability control (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “1. Started the car and the air bag light on the dashboard would not stop flashing. I bought the car new. The car never been in an accident, never had any damage and was properly maintained. Still under 60,000 miles and is under warranty. 2. It would flash non stop when the car was operating 3. Took the car to the dealer to see if they can resolve the issue. They found out that the wire under the passenger seat became loose. I was told that a water bottle under the seat could have caused the wire to disconnect, but before I checked the car in there was nothing under the seat. …”

NHTSA complaint #10299519, filed 2010-01, 58,110 miles

Fuel system: “Started up the car and smelled a strong smell of gas. Discovered that the fuel line had ruptured spewing fuel onto the engine causing a potential fire hazard or explosion. Thank god we stopped the engine immediately or we would have been incinerated once we had reached highway speeds and engine was hot. Vehicle is now not safe to drive and has to be towed in for repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #10466983, filed 2012-07, 50,000 miles

Engine: “I own a 2006 Scion XA. I have had to replace three of the electric window controls, and the emission system keeps having problems. Check engine light keeps going on. This happens when the vehicle is running, in motion and stationary.”

NHTSA complaint #10806143, filed 2015-11, 135,000 miles

Electrical system: “My power window master switch went out. I could not put my right rear window up. I went to my local toyota dealer where I get my maintenance done and this was there assessment. I see today on line that toyota is recalling vehicles due to the power window switches malfunctioning! I checked and my model year is not on the recall. I find this a very odd coincidence I am having the exact same problem with my vehicle. I contacted Scion customer care and they said I was not part of the recall and my car was out of warranty. Obviously this problem to me extends beyond the model years listed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10479539, filed 2012-10, 98,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 59 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 19,868 and 99,000 miles.

10%0–1019%10–2519%25–5019%50–7512%75–10017%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (59 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’07’1013’13’16’19’23’26
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 2006 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 2006 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. 42 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 42 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

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Scion XA?

Owners of the 2006 Scion xA most often describe a check-engine light traced to the evaporative emissions system, with the charcoal canister, filter and fuel filler area needing replacement and water intrusion reported as the recurring factor. The issues reported most often: Check-engine light from evaporative emissions system; Airbags not deploying in a collision; Sudden or stuck acceleration / cruise control not.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Scion XA have?

NHTSA recorded 71 consumer complaints for the 2006 Scion XA as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Scion XA is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 17 complaints (24% of the total), followed by fuel system with 16.

Has the 2006 Scion XA been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Scion XA get?

The EPA rates the 2006 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 2006 Scion XA reported?

Among the 59 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 19,868 and 99,000 miles; 47% 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.