Rear hatch outside opening mechanism broke after routine use. This appears to be design flaw using flimsy plastic door apparatus. This is dangerous situation - it has resulted in improper closing of rear hatch door which can cause exhaust fumes to enter the inside on the car. This could also cause objects to fall out of the rear of the car while on the road. (anecdotal note: I see numerous scions…
2005 Toyota Scion xB body problems
moderate Owners of the 2005 Toyota Scion xB have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 76,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Scion xB (this page) | 19 |
| 2008 Scion xB | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 19 body complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Scion xB, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Body accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The tailgate "handle" release broke of in my hands, without even pulling on it, on my 2005 Toyota Scion xb. I went out to place something into the back of my car and when I pinched the release button and lifted the gate as I have done hundreds of times, the handle snapped off in my hands! After researching this issue I have found hundreds of people who have had the same experience, many have had…
Earlier in 2011 while accessing the rear of my car through the hatch door, my hatch handle snapped off completely. After further looking into the issue, I discovered that the plastic clips built into the handles broke. My local Toyota dealer is aware of the "issue" and acknowledges that it is a "defect" with this specific make and model car. On top of that, I have both seen many broken hatch…
Went to put my groceries away after leaving the store. Lifted on the rear hatch handle and was surprised to find the trunk still closed and the handle still in my hand. Now my license plate lights and my handle to open the trunk are dangling from the rear of my car. *tr
Rear sub frame where the rear axle mounting brackets are rust out. Also side rockers rot out due to poor drainage of plastic side skirts
The driver door detent on the 2005 Scion xb VIN jtlk324154008954 does not hold on a modest incline, creating a serious injury hazard. Reported problem to dealer (riverhead Toyota). Response: "vehicle not designed to. No problem found". The dealer is wrong. There is a problem. The problem appears to be a combination of 2 problems -- an inadequate detent for the weight of the door combined…
Had body trouble with your 2005 Toyota Scion xB?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2005 Toyota Scion xB?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 66,000 and 101,000 miles, with the median around 76,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 66,000; a quarter make it past 101,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/Scion xB.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.