2005 Scion XB problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
92 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 67 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 92 complaints (16.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 7.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.1% |
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 | 15 |
| Structure:Body | 15 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 9 |
| Visibility | 6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
Air Bags: 15; Structure:Body: 15; Electrical System: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Visibility:Windshield: 9; Visibility: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 4; Seat Belts: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 25 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 | 6 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2005: 6; 2006: 8; 2007: 6; 2008: 11; 2009: 6; 2010: 16; 2011: 8; 2012: 4; 2013: 7; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10122582 · 2005-05-31 (May 31, 2005)
DT: THE BRAKE SYSTEM (NOT ABS) FAILED. SHE WAS NOT GETTING A WARNING SIGN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE GOING BAD. DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE BRAKES WENT OUT AT 12,000 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10169645 · 2006-09-30 (September 30, 2006)
(1) CORNERING HARD AT HIGH SPEED (45-60 MPH) (2) MY 2005 SCION XB'S ABS SYSTEM APPLIES THE BRAKES WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO VEER OPPOSITE AWAY FROM THE DIRECTION I'M STEERING TOWARD THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE OR OFF THE ROAD. (3) THE MECHANIC AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THAT BRAKING SYSTEM AND HE COULD NOT REPAIR IT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10169645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161829 · 2006-07-07 (July 7, 2006)
SUBJECT: 2005 SCION XB STRUCTURAL SAFETY ITEM AFTER PURCHASE OF THE ABOVE AUTOMOBILE IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE IS NO MECHANICAL WAY TO OPEN THE REAR TRUNK DOOR. IT HAS NO KEY, NO EXTERNAL HANDLE, AND NO CABLE RELEASE. ENTRY AND EXIT IS DEPENDENT SOLELY ON THE BATTERY-POWERED WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL. IF THAT SHOULD FAIL OR BREAK, ONE HAS TO CLIMB INTO THE REAR AND REMOVE A PANEL SECURED WITH FASTENERS TO RELEASE THE LOCK. CONSIDER - SOUTH FLORIDA WITH NUMEROUS WATER-FILLED CANALS - ACROSS ALLIGATOR ALLEY CARS RUN INTO CANALS OFTEN, NOSE-FIRST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10161829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10268958 · 2009-05-17 (May 17, 2009)
TWO PATCHES ON PASSENGER SIDE FROM TIRE ONLY SEEM TO BE SHOWING WEAR BEYOND NORMAL USE. FIRST PATCH IS 5 3/8" LONG BY 7/8" WIDE. SILVER METAL FIBERS ARE STICKING OUT OF THE PATCH AND SOME WHITE FIBERS ARE SEEN AROUND THE EDGE OF THE PATCH. PATCH IS OVAL SHAPED AND LOCATED ON THE OUTERMOST TREAD (PART OF TREAD FACING AWAY FROM THE CAR) SECOND PATCH IS 6" LONG BY 1/2" WIDE WITH ONLY WHITE FIBERS SHOWING. NO METAL IS EXPOSED. THIS PATCH IS LOCATED ON THE INNER EDGE (PART FACING CAR/ENGINE) AND IS OVAL SHAPED AS WELL. WHOLE PATCH IS COMPLETE…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217988 · 2008-02-13 (February 13, 2008)
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL; TRACTION CONTROL; CHECK ENGINE HAVE ALL LIT UP. THIS FIRST OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER 2007 THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THEY "FIXED IT" BY REPLACING SOMETHING WITH MY CAM SHAFT? THEY STATED IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF A RECALL. JANUARY 1, 2008 THE LIGHTS ALL REAPPEARED, I BROUGHT IT BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG AND THAT THE LIGHTS RESET THEMSELVES. NOW FEBRUARY 13, 2008 THE LIGHTS HAVE COME BACK ON AGAIN ACCOMPANIED BY A VERY LOUD SQUEALING COMING FROM MY STEERING. *T…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150779 · 2006-02-21 (February 21, 2006)
THE SCION TC WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS A MAJOR FLAW WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD AND DRIVEN SLOWLY. THE ENGINE BUCKS AND JERKS VIOLENTLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP. IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN WHEN DRIVEN SLOWLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. THE VEHICLE WILL BUCK AND JERK, VIOLENTLY SOME TIMES, UNTIL THE TEMPERATURE NEEDLE MOVES. IT HAPPENS IN SUMMER AND WINTER AND IS OK WHEN THE ENGINE IS EVENTUALLY WARMED UP. THE DEALER CAN DO NOTHING FOR IT AS THE COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IS FIXED BY TOYOTA. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307074 · 2010-02-06 (February 6, 2010)
BRAKES FAILED FOR SECONDS IN FREEZING WEATHER; THEN BRAKES RETURNED; THIS LOSS OF POWER IN THE BRAKES HAS HAPPENED INFREQUENTLY; ONLY 6-10 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP; BUT LAST WEEK IT HAPPENED TWICE ON IL SR 38 DRIVING WEST, AND TWO EACH REAR-ENDERS ALMOST OCCURRED; BECAUSE WHEN YOU NEED THE BRAKES YOU EXPECT THEM TO FUNCTION, AS USUAL; *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 66,924 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307074 at NHTSA ↗