The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
Better than average · most complaints: visibility
Better years to buy
31 owner complaints, first 3 years 28–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Hyundai Accent2005 Kia Rio2005 Chevrolet Aveo 117
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 50,000 miles (33,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 31 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V035000 (equipment), 09E025000 (lights) and 09E012000 (lights) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Scion sent dealers 48 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and…”?
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 31 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 →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 50K miles (33K to 80K km) on the car (21 of all 31 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Spontaneous crack on windshield of my xb Scion. It has been cracked out of my field of vision for over a year, and then just a few weeks back it crack all the way across!
2005 Scion xB owner · NHTSA complaint 10224737
More owner reports
The Scion xb seems particularly prone to windshield damage. A tiny rock hit it once before, and a large crack formed almost immediately. I replaced the entire windshield and then within 2 weeks, I had the same situation again.
NHTSA complaint 10236832
Windshield keeps cracking. I am own my second windshield.
NHTSA complaint 10237212
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 2005 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:
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and…
- 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…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- 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.
Show all 7 recalls
- 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…
- 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. 2005 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 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/scion-xb/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Scion xB reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Scion xB reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 83; 100 is average, lower is better). 2005 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.3× the average car's complaints. The Scion xB year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2005 Scion xB problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (32%), engine (23%) and speed control (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Scion xB have?
7 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Scion xB get?
28 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Scion xB problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 50,000 miles (33,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 31 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Scion xB have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 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 2005 Scion xB have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Scion xB year than the 2005?
Not nearby: the 2005 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Scion xB years within 3 model years of it. 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