Most common 2005 Scion xA problems
Share of the 40 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Scion xA complaints by model year
Best xA years: 2007, 2004. Years to avoid: 2006, 2005. Compare all years →
2005 Scion xA recalls (2)
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.
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.
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.
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.
What 2005 Scion xA owners say
Air bags
The air bag light has been trigger on and won't go off. Nov 1, 2018 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.
Airbags did not deploy, vehicle speed was 45 MPH. The entire front end was damaged. Swerved to miss hitting a deer, spun out and hit an embankment. Point of impact was drivers side front and nothing, not one airbag deployed.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Scion xA. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the entire sun roof exploded including the glass frame. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Scion xA. The contact stated that she attempted to close the front driver's side window but to no avail. The contact stated that she had to continue to hit the switch in order to get the window to close completely. The contact called the dealer and stated that she needed to bring the vehicle in for inspection. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 89,200.
Speed control & acceleration
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. Fortunately I was not injured beyond aches and pains. I kept thinking about what happened. Then I decided to check past performance and found that these vehicles do not have a good record. Wish I had never bought this crappy car.
In June 2009 I was coasting into my parking space at work, when all of a sudden my 2005 Toyota Scion xA accelerated, drove over a parking bumper, plowed into a small tree and drove into a brick wall. The brakes failed and were totally useless. I had my car towed, to the Toyota dealership, where I purchased my car. I reported this incident to the Toyota dealership and was informed that they never heard of any problems, like my own, with the Scion. The repair shop told me that I must have hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes. They assured me they would look into the problem but unless it happens while they were working on it, they could do nothing. I wrote to Toyota motor sales in torrance, ca in September 2009 describing my concerns and never received a response. Since this incident, there have been several incidents where the engine has raced on its own. …
2005 Scion xA engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 27 / 35 / 30 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 34 / 30 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Scion xA a good car?
Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 xA rates avoid: 2.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the xA at the same age. It is one of the xA years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Scion xA?
The air bags — 14 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (6) and speed control & acceleration (5).
How many recalls does the 2005 Scion xA have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2005 Scion xA, the most recent from November 1, 2018 (air bag/restraint control module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Scion xA?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2005. See the full Scion xA years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Scion xA problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 37,000 miles; 59% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.