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Scion XBModel year report

2005 Scion XB Problems

Complaints
92filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,000miles, 67 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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
29 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 32 hwy

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

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Scion xB most often report the plastic rear hatch handle breaking off during normal use, followed by windshield cracks that appear without an obvious impact. A smaller but recurring group of complaints describes unexpected engine acceleration or a sticking pedal, and airbag warning lights traced to steering column wiring. Many complaints involve higher-mileage vehicles, though several issues were reported when the cars were relatively new.

  1. Body and structure

    Rear hatch handle breaks off

    • 19 complaints (21%)
    • median 72,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (15 state mileage)
    • filed 2006–2018

    Owners describe the plastic release handle on the rear hatch snapping off or coming loose when the hatch is opened, sometimes with little force. In some cases the latch assembly separates from the door and the hatch cannot be opened or closed properly, and the handle also houses the license plate lights. Complaints mention dealer replacement, reimbursement of part costs after contacting the manufacturer, and a warranty enhancement program that owners say has since expired. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 150,000 miles, with many around 30,000 to 110,000 miles.

    7 related service bulletins

    What to check: Open and close the rear hatch several times and look for cracks, looseness or repairs around the handle and latch. Ask whether the back door garnish warranty enhancement was ever applied.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Went to put my groceries away after leaving the store. Lifted on the rear hatch handle and was surprised to find the trunk still closed and the handle still in my hand. Now my license plate lights and my handle to open the trunk are dangling from the rear of my car.”

    NHTSA complaint #10479718, filed 2012-10, 90,000 miles

    “My 10 year old son was simply opening the back hatch to get out a bag and the whole rear door garnish broke off. It broke from simple designed use and now hangs off the vehicle and the hatch will not close properly. Scion issued a warranty enhancement program but it was only good for one year and does not cover my vehicle now even though the part is faulty and the vehicle is now dangerous to drive. Please insist on a vehicle recall so there is no time limit to fix the problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10732801, filed 2015-07, 66,000 miles
  2. Vehicle speed control

    Unexpected acceleration or sticky pedal

    • 12 complaints (13%)
    • median 63,500 mi at 5.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2013

    Owners report the engine revving or the car lunging forward while braking, at stoplights, or while parking, and in some cases an accelerator pedal that stayed down. Complaints describe stepping hard on the brakes or shifting to neutral to stop the car, and several say the dealer could not reproduce the condition or found nothing wrong. Some mention warning lights appearing around the same time. Reported across a wide mileage range, from near-new vehicles to around 140,000 miles, often at low speed or during braking.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: During a test drive, check that the pedal moves freely and returns fully, and ask whether any throttle or ECU software updates were performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving my 2005 Scion XB . As I slowed down to stop my car accelerated right through the stop sign across the highway and into a barbwire fence.. When I applied the brakes the engine accelerated . The vehicle stability control; traction control; check engine all lit up.I got the car started, but it ran hot and started smoking and would not hold speed.”

    NHTSA complaint #10513645, filed 2013-05, 140,000 miles

    “My accelerator stuck while I was in traffic. I was going 55mph and slowed to 30 due to traffic. When I slowed the engine reved. I turned off the engine after putting the car in neutral. I turned the car back on and it kept reving. I turned off the engine again and it reset. I had the cruise control on but not engaged. I took the car into the local toyota service center and they checked out the car and told me they could find nothing. That was 9/28/2005.”

    NHTSA complaint #10323605, filed 2010-04, 11 miles
  3. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Windshield cracks and chips

    • 14 complaints (15%)
    • median 50,512 mi at 3.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2007–2011

    Complaints describe windshields cracking in the middle of the glass without any impact, with cracks that lengthen over time. Some owners report repeated replacement after small chips spread quickly, and one noted many small fractures present early in the vehicle's life. Dealers and insurers are described as treating these as ordinary glass damage. Reported from near-zero mileage up to about 75,000 miles, in various weather conditions.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Inspect the windshield carefully for chips, spider cracks or a replacement windshield, especially along the center and lower edge.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I am now forced to replace my windshield for the third time on my Scion XB 05'. Every time it starts out with a tiny chip that leads to a crack that spreads quickly. The design of the car and the angle of the glass contribute to this problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10184246, filed 2007-03, 37,500 miles

    “The Scion XB seems particularly prone to windshield damage. A tiny rock hit it once before, and a large crack formed almost immediately. I replaced the entire windshield and then within 2 weeks, I had the same situation again.”

    NHTSA complaint #10236832, filed 2008-08, 75,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbag warning light / steering column wiring

    • 11 complaints (12%)
    • median 98,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2023

    Complaints describe the airbag light staying on, with dealers diagnosing a wiring harness in the steering column that needs replacement and noting it as a common problem. Some owners also report airbags that did not deploy in a collision. Others mention related warning lights coming on intermittently. Mostly reported between roughly 74,000 and 155,000 miles, though some at lower mileage after collisions.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Turn the key to on and confirm the airbag light goes out after the self-check; ask for any records of steering column or clock spring repairs.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving my 2005 Scion XB when I struck a guard rail and another vehicle with the front end of the Scion at approximately 50 MPH. My airbag did not go off. This resulted in whiplash injuries to my head, neck and back. My vehicle was determined to be a total loss by my insurance company after the crash.”

    NHTSA complaint #10272967, filed 2009-06, 102,000 miles

    “The air bag light came on and stayed on. We had our local mechanic look at it and he said the steering column needed to be taken apart to fix it. This sounds exactly like the current toyota recall for the spiral cable assembly yet my Scion is not on the list of recalled vehicles.”

    NHTSA complaint #10578473, filed 2014-04, 98,000 miles
  5. Electrical system

    Interior door locks and windows not working

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report power door locks that stop working from the inside or with the key fob, and power windows that fail or move only in stages. Complaints describe dealers unable to resolve the lock problem, and in some cases the rear hatch handle failure is described alongside several dead locks and windows. Reported from around 55,000 to 187,000 miles, typically on older, higher-mileage vehicles.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Test every power lock and window from both the inside switch and the fob, and listen for slow or partial window movement.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The handle to the hatch broke off so many times after properly being repaired we installed a strap handle to the hatch so that we only need to touch the button and pull the strap. The damaged handle would prevent the hatch from shutting properly. The rear tail lights will suddenly blow fuses and mechanics can not find out why. This leaves you suddenly with no tail lights which have resulted in being pulled over many times and a few tickets. I have taken to keeping the repair ticket with me to avoid tickets at dawn and dusk. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11132065, filed 2018-09, 1 miles

    “1. Driver's side lock intermittently won't open from inside. Neither manually nor pressing the key fob will open. The only way to open the door is from the outside and manually using the handle. I have taken this to 2 toyota dealers and nothing has been done about it.”

    NHTSA complaint #10325085, filed 2010-04, 55,200 miles

Buying note. Check the rear hatch handle, all power locks and windows, and the airbag light before buying, since these are the most frequently reported items and repairs are often simple but recurring. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the windshield and a road test covering braking and throttle response is worthwhile on a vehicle of this age.

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 92 consumer complaints for the 2005 Scion XB. 67 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,000 miles. Of all complaints, 15 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 13 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 47 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: Tires (4), Electronic stability control (3), Fuel system (3), Engine (2), Other or unknown (2), Equipment (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Earlier in 2011 while accessing the rear of my car through the hatch door, my hatch handle snapped off completely. After further looking into the issue, I discovered that the plastic clips built into the handles broke. My local toyota dealer is aware of the issue and acknowledges that it is a defect with this specific make and model car. On top of that, I have both seen many broken hatch handles while on the road, and read many other incidents similar to mine on several notable Scion forums online. …”

NHTSA complaint #10430084, filed 2011-10, 76,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Spontaneous crack on windshield of my XB Scion. It has been cracked out of my field of vision for over a year, and then just a few weeks back it crack all the way across!”

NHTSA complaint #10224737, filed 2008-04, 60,000 miles

Air bags: “The air bag light came on and stayed on. We had our local mechanic look at it. He stated dealer had to fix because of computer cost to read air bag sensor readings. Mileage 155000. Several other dash lights come on and off.”

NHTSA complaint #10608037, filed 2014-07, 155,000 miles

Electrical system: “My Scion overheated,lost oil pressure due to whatever damage the overheating caused and I've had a low battery charge all this time but none of these problems were indicated by any gauge or light on my dash. Now I have to replace the motor.”

NHTSA complaint #10546868, filed 2013-10, 60 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

40% of the 67 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,000 and 89,700 miles.

15%0–104%10–2521%25–5025%50–7516%75–10012%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (67 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,000 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.

’06’0916’12’15’18’24
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 XB 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
xB FWD1.5L 4-cyl4-speed automatic273229$2,300
xB FWD1.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual273128$2,400

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 XB → · 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. 47 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 47 bulletins →

Other model years of the Scion XB

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2015623,4282—24—Not enough data
2014959,5002—24—Not enough data
20131441,5002—24—Not enough data
20124590,0003—240 · FewerStable
20115463,2485—2415 · FewerRising
20105548,0197—2450 · TypicalFalling
200914075,00010—2490 · MoreFalling
200833951,0008—24100 · MoreRising
200625328,5005—28Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20059259,0001—29Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20043765,4550—29Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Scion XB model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Scion XB?

Owners of the 2005 Scion xB most often report the plastic rear hatch handle breaking off during normal use, followed by windshield cracks that appear without an obvious impact. The issues reported most often: Rear hatch handle breaks off; Unexpected acceleration or sticky pedal; Windshield cracks and chips.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Scion XB have?

NHTSA recorded 92 consumer complaints for the 2005 Scion XB as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Body and structure is named most often, in 24 complaints (26% of the total), followed by visibility with 16.

Has the 2005 Scion XB been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Scion XB get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Scion XB (xB, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 27 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 67 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,000 miles and the middle half falls between 32,000 and 89,700 miles; 40% 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.