2005 Scion XA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
37,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 40 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
Air Bags: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Service Brakes, Air: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Tires: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2005: 12; 2009: 4; 2010: 8; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10135069 · 2005-09-01 (September 1, 2005)
COMPLAINT-2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: UNSAFE OPERATION THIS VEHICLE HAS A "FLY BY WIRE" COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT IS CAUSING HAZARDOUS UNEXPECTED ENGINE STUMBLING, ENGINE HESITATION AND ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE CANNOT ALWAYS BE EASED INTO TRAFFIC AND ON ONE OCCASION WHEN MERGING INTO INTERSTATE TRAFFIC THE ENGINE RACED AND DOWN SHIFTED SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE PASSENGERS THOUGHT WE HAD BEEN HIT FROM THE REAR. AN INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL(AT 70 MPH). THE ENGINE RACED,DOWN SHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD BEFOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 299 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135491 · 2005-09-06 (September 6, 2005)
ON AUGUST 20, 2005 I WAS PARKING MY SCION TC 2005 IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR TOOK OFF AS IF IT WERE POSSESSED. I TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITH MY STEERING WHEEL, AND AVOIDED HITTING MY HOUSE AND MY BASKETBALL POLL. SLAMMING THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR HIT A TREE IN MY BACKYARD. I SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES, INCLUDING CHEST CONTUSION, AND MULTIPLE FRACTURES IN MY LEFT HAND. MY DAUGHTER CALLED 911, THE POLICE ARRIVED AND I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE.…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280248 · 2009-08-12 (August 12, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SCION XA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGGRESSIVELY. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AND STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN. THE PEDESTRIAN WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10713612 · 2015-04-29 (April 29, 2015)
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL CABLE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN THAT HAD "FAILED". THIS IS THE PART THAT CONTROLS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I ASKED IF THE COMPANY (TOYOTA) WOULD ASSIST WITH THE REPLACEMENT, AND WAS TOLD "NO. SOME JUST FAIL. THAT'S PART OF OWNING A CAR." THE PART IS ON ORDER, AND THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $530 - $300 FOR THE PART, $100 LABOR AND $130 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. ALL THIS FOR A PART THAT "_FAILED_" THIS HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND I…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 10713612 at NHTSA ↗