YearToAvoid

2006 Scion XA Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 3 XA years

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

The 2006 Scion XA has 71 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 3 XA model years. The most reported problem area is engine (22 complaints, 31% of the total). Complaints report 13 crashes, 3 fires, and 8 injuries.

Complaints
71
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
13 / 3
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 34.5 hwy

Top 2006 Scion XA problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine22 (31%)
  2. Airbags17 (24%)
  3. Fuel System16 (23%)
  4. Electrical System10 (14%)
  5. Other8 (11%)
  6. Brakes6 (8%)
  7. Seat Belts4 (6%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain4 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
2006 Scion XA complaints: complaints filed per quarter102006 Q22009 Q22010 Q42012 Q32014 Q22016 Q42019 Q12023 Q2
94 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2015 Q4 (10).

2006 Scion XA recalls

5 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.

  3. NHTSA 09V223000Jun 15, 2009Other27,080 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from september 1, 2005 to may 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."

    Risk: Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge. The safety recall began on august 18, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371.

See all 5 recalls for the 2006 Scion XA →

2006 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.

2006 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 2006 Scion XA a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Scion XA ranks worst among XA model years (Complaint Index 100/100). It has 71 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Scion XA?
The most reported problem areas are engine (22 complaints), airbags (17 complaints), and fuel system (16 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 50,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Scion XA have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2006 Scion XA, most recently reported 2018, covering airbags, other, and engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Scion XA?
EPA rates the 2006 Scion XA at 30 MPG combined (27 city / 34.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.