YearToAvoid

2005 Scion XA Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

No verdict The 2005 Scion XA has 40 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 2nd worst of 3 model years tracked. Airbags are the top problem area with 14 complaints (35% share), and the vehicle has 2 recalls, including an airbag control module issue.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#2 of 3 XA years
Verdict
No verdict
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
40
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
13
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
12
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
—
no alternative with data
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 34.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0

Top 2005 Scion XA problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags14 (35%)
  2. Engine7 (18%)
  3. Visibility & Wipers6 (15%)
  4. Brakes5 (13%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (13%)
  6. Electrical System4 (10%)
  7. Steering3 (8%)
  8. Fuel System2 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body2 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy during head-on and rollover crashes, including at 40 mph and 70 mph impacts.
  • Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration while parking, with the vehicle lurching forward into walls or trees.
  • Brakes reportedly failed to slow the car, with pedals going to the floor or the car speeding up instead of stopping.
  • A rear tire blowout at 50 mph caused loss of control and a crash into a guide rail.
  • Engine issues included the vehicle aggressively surging and failing to slow despite braking, requiring a shift to neutral.
2005 Scion XA complaints: complaints filed per month6Apr 2005Oct 2005Aug 2009Dec 2012Apr 2015Jul 2016Nov 2018
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2005 to Mar 2022; peak Feb 2010 (6).

2005 Scion XA recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V776000Nov 1, 2018Airbags16,992 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Toyota Scion xA vehicles. The air bag control module for the supplemental restraint system (SRS ECU) may experience an internal short, possibly causing the air bags to unintentionally deploy, or become deactivated.

    Risk: If the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners unintentionally deploy, it can increase the risk of a crash. If the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners are deactivated, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the SRS ECU, and if necessary, replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0W.

  2. NHTSA 10V036000Feb 3, 2010Other153,418 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

2005 Scion XA fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
34.5 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other XA years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005No verdict5040230
2006No verdict10071530
2007No verdict002—

All Scion XA years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Scion XA reliable?
NHTSA data shows 40 complaints for the 2005 Scion XA with a Complaint Index of 50, ranking it 2nd worst among the 3 model years tracked. Airbags are the top reported problem area, accounting for 35% of complaints.
Does the 2005 Scion XA have any recalls?
Yes, it has 2 recalls: one for a possible internal short in the airbag control module (SRS ECU), and one for a tire and rim label compliance issue. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Scion XA?
Airbags are the top problem area, with 14 complaints making up 35% of all reports, including cases where airbags failed to deploy in crashes.
How does the 2005 Scion XA compare to other years?
The 2005 model has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 2nd worst of 3 years with data. The 2006 model has a higher index of 100 with 71 complaints, while 2007 shows 0 complaints.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Scion XA?
The 2005 Scion XA gets an EPA-rated 30 mpg combined (27 city / 34.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.

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.