Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2005 Scion xA: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Scion xA, most recently filed November 2018. Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Scion xA. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2005 Scion xA. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V776000 Filed Nov 1, 2018

Unexpected Air Bag Deployment or Deactivation

Air bags · air bag/restraint control module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
41.6% repairedof 16,992 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V776000
Listed for 2005 Scion xA. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 10V036000 Filed Feb 3, 2010

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS

Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported153,418 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V036000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (40)

40 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

13involved a crash
0involved a fire
12injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Scion xA, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 40.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2005 compares with other xA years

Best and worst xA years →
14 40 71
200420052006
This year (2005)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 30 mpg combined

30
mpg combined
27
city
35
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,250
CO₂ tailpipe
296 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,177per year
$181per month
500gallons a year

Miles ÷ 30 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2005 Scion xA configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive27 / 35 / 30$2,250296
1.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive27 / 34 / 30$2,250296

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2005 xA for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All xA years

Where to next

2005 Scion xA FAQ

How many recalls does the 2005 Scion xA have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 18V776000 (air bag), 10V036000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2005 Scion xA problems?

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (14), Service brakes (5), Vehicle speed control (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2005 Scion xA get?

EPA rates the 1.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2005 xA compare with other years?

Among the 2004–2006 Scion xA model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (14) and the 2006 the most (71). The 2005 drew 40. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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