The Lemon Index
20051st generation
Not enough data. Only 7 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 28–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Hyundai Accent2004 Kia Rio 742004 Chevrolet Aveo 126
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 09E012000 (lights) and 07E005000 (speed control) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Scion sent dealers 48 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Scion's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 7 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
Driver hit a deer with left front end of vehicle, one sensor was smashed, but no air bags deployed!
2004 Scion xB owner · NHTSA complaint 10171641
More owner reports
Vehicle has transmission problems. It would rev up but not shift until I let off the gas. After letting off the gas, it would jump into gear. This happened after almost 2 years old and 30,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10159329
Collision at approximately 35 miles an hour deployed driver and passenger airbag. There was no passenger in vehicle. Passenger airbag interlock malfunctioned.
NHTSA complaint 10170404
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 2.9M views · 2004–2006 Scion xB
Most-watched topics
- Steering & suspension140K views
How To Replace Front Lower Control Arm with Ball Joint 2004-2006 Scion xBTRQ · 29K views · 9 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring117K views
2006 Scion xB check engine light code p 0441The Other Guy · 100K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door86K views
Having an issue with my AC in 2005 Scion XB. Compressor works fine, full freon but no cold air.Steven Bradley · 45K views · 7 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical84K views
2006 Scion xB starter removal how toCyrus Andrews · 38K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS79K views
How to Replace Rear Brakes 2004-2006 Scion xBTRQ · 43K views · 4 videos - Cooling system70K views
How to Replace Engine Water Pump 2004-2006 Scion xBTRQ · 34K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors69K views
How to Replace Driver Window Regulator 2004-2006 Scion xBTRQ · 23K views · 7 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors68K views
Camshaft sensor replacement 2004 2005 2006 Scion xBJustin · 41K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Scion xB Hatchback 2004-2006 1st Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 176K views
My 2005 Scion xb gauges are having problemsTudyD · 460 views
2006 Scion xB Review - Scion's BEST Car!Shooting Cars · 93K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2004 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Scion told dealers about
Scion sent dealers 48 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an…
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Speed control · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN ROSTRA CRUISE CONTROLS, P/NOS. 00012-X0486-01, 00015-X0486-01, 00012-X0486-21, 00016-79910, 00016-79910-01, AND 250-1755, INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY 2006-2007 GULF STATES TOYOTA AND SOUTHEAST TOYOTA SC…
Show all 6 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,050–$2,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
Every Scion xB year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Scion xB years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/scion-xb/?y=2004" title="Scion xB reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/scion-xb/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Scion xB reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Scion xB reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2004 Scion xB problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (57%), transmission & drivetrain (29%) and visibility (29%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Scion xB have?
6 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Scion xB get?
28 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Scion xB have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Scion xB cost in fuel a year?
About $2,050 to $2,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Scion xB have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Scion xB year is better than the 2004?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works