2005 Toyota Scion xB problems
The 2005 Toyota Scion xB has 92 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2005 Toyota Scion xB has 92 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is body at 19 complaints, typically surfacing around 77,795 miles (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Scion xB (this page) | 92 | 0 |
| 2008 Scion xB | 11 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Toyota Scion xB? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- body — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 77,795 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- visibility — 15 owner reports · tends to show around 55,002 mi · ~$350 to fix
- airbags — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 91,840 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 136,235 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 91,840 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2005 Toyota Scion xB
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The windshield in my vehicle is not very good. In the first two weeks it cracked and soon after I had another crack. I did not hear any hit on my windshield while driving. I think that it is the way the vehicle is built. I have heard the same complaint from other car owners…
Power windows on the left side of the vehicle have issues; back windows no longer works, front driver side will go up in stages but only if actively moving. Driver seatbelt unlatches. Been going on for at least 5 months if not longer.
2005 Scion xb we have had to put three windshields in, four sets of tires and now the speedometer went out. We just spent two thousand dollars at the dealership, it had to have the seat belts done, the cruise control stuck all the time and we never got recall letters, I went…
Several lights turn on console due to technical recall. Dealership did not fix issue due to lights not being on. I've taken to 2 other mechanics who said take car to dealership. Car was close on (and now out of ) warranty. This seems to be a common issue as I looked on many…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Toyota Scion xB reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Toyota Scion xB is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Toyota Scion xB?
On the NHTSA data, the 2005 Toyota Scion xB does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Toyota Scion xB?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 19 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 77,795 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Toyota Scion xB a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 92 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 77,795 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Toyota Scion xB?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 19 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 77,795 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 77,795 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Scion xB has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Toyota Scion xB?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 92 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.