2006 Toyota Scion xA problems
The 2006 Toyota Scion xA has 71 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2006 Toyota Scion xA has 71 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 16 complaints, typically surfacing around 63,500 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Scion xA | 40 | 0 |
| 2006 Scion xA (this page) | 71 | 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 8.0/10 — 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 2006 Toyota Scion xA? 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
- airbags — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 63,500 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- engine — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 61,545 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- fuel system — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 56,340 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
- cruise control — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 86,165 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 63,500 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: 8.0/10 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 2006 Toyota Scion xA
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 7 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2006 Toyota Scion xA
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~50,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~51,500 miengine~$3,100
- ~58,734 mifuel system~$1,200
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My Scion ax 2006 was recalled due to a flashing airbag warning light. The dealer made the light go out, fixed it last year 2018. Now the light came on again and they want to charge me $199 to just check it, no repair included. It appears to be an additional airbag defect and I…
I own an 2006 Scion xa and I having trouble to start the engine when it's get warm or normal operating temperature. When the engine is cold like on mornings it star right away with a few cranks but after it's gets warm I to crank times stop cranking and crank it again until…
In motion on highway hit black ice driving 55 mile per hour safe for conditions that day drivers front impacted cement barrier airbags deploy on impact seat belt failed to restrain driver in proper seat due to seat belts and airbag failures , severe brain trauma resulted
While driving my 2006 Scion xa westbound i80 utah accident occurred at mile marker 150 while taking a left hand turn passengers front tire encountered black ice sending the car into the cement barrier. Bounced off that cement barrier into the oppisite barrier on the passenger…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Scion xA reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Toyota Scion xA 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 2006 Toyota Scion xA?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Toyota Scion xA 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 8.0/10 — 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 2006 Toyota Scion xA?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 16 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2006 Toyota Scion xA a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 71 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 63,500 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 2006 Toyota Scion xA?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 16 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 63,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Scion xA 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 2006 Toyota Scion xA?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 71 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.