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 Toyota Scion xB electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2005 Toyota Scion xB have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
When does it fail?
Of the 9 electrical complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Scion xB, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
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.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 sites in regards to 2005 Scion xb's and found many other complaints. The lights will turn off after ignition is restarted…
While opening the rear hatch door the handle snapped and no longer can be used to open the door. The electric no longer works on the passenger side of the vehicle, I can not open or lock these doors. The dash board lights remain on no matter how often I take it back to the dealer to fix. These problems are expensive to repair and it seems they can not repair these problems. *tr
05 xb trunk release handle broke loose. It was attached by 2 small studs that were friction fitted to the handle, the trunk is too heavy for this handle. Power door lock for driver and both rear are not functioning. Rear passenger window is not functioning.
My Scion overheated,lost oil pressure due to whatever damage the overheating caused and I've had a low battery charge all this time but none of these problems were indicated by any gauge or light on my dash. Now I have to replace the motor. *tr
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 Toyota Scion xB?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 136,235 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.