KnownCarProblems2005 Scion XB Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Scion XB, most often about the body and structure (26% of complaints, typically around 75,500 miles). It is 4th of 13 XB model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2005 Scion XB problems
Body and structure
24 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Hatch handle, made of flimsy plastic and held on by a couple of screws, broke off. This part, which contains the handle, lock mechanism and the license plate light, gets a lot of use, opening and closing the hatch, and is not very well made for the amount of use it is subjected too.
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…
Visibility and wipers
16 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, power window devices and controls.
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!
I am now forced to replace my windshield for the third time on my Scion XB 05'. Every time it starts out with a tiny chip that leads to a crack that spreads quickly. The design of the car and the angle of the glass contribute to this problem.
Air bags
15 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles.
The air bag light came on and stayed on. We had our local mechanic look at it and he said the steering column needed to be taken apart to fix it. This sounds exactly like the current toyota recall for the spiral cable assembly yet my Scion is not on the list of recalled vehicles.
I was driving my 2005 Scion XB when I struck a guard rail and another vehicle with the front end of the Scion at approximately 50 MPH. My airbag did not go off. This resulted in whiplash injuries to my head, neck and back. My vehicle was determined to be a total loss by my insurance company after the crash.
Electrical
11 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 45,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The vehicle stability control; traction control; check engine light have come on and remained on. The light was temporarily deactivated when a cam gear was replaced at wagner toyota in lancaster ma. The error code returned and has remained on despite leaving the car at gatorland toyota in gainesville fl on three…
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…
Speed control
10 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
My Scion XB is infrequently accelerating and lunging forward for no apparent reason from both a stationery position as well as while moving on the highway.
I was driving my 2005 Scion XB to my office. As I slowed down and turned into a parking space when I applied the brakes the engine accelerated to 3000 rpms jumped the curb and ran into the back of the building. When I reported these facts to a toyota dealer they said they have never heard of a car doing that and it…
Engine
10 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The vehicle stability control; traction control; check engine light have come on and remained on. The light was temporarily deactivated when a cam gear was replaced at wagner toyota in lancaster ma. The error code returned and has remained on despite leaving the car at gatorland toyota in gainesville fl on three…
Tl contact owns a 2005 toyota Scion XB. While driving at various speeds, the tip of the muffler would sporadically crack and then fall off. Prior to the failure, the contact heard a loud noise. He took the vehicle to a dealer and they stated that the exhaust system was potentially defective and they replaced the…
Doors and locks
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: tailgate, doors, trunk lid.
Rear door latch assembly came completely off, disconnected from car door when engaging latch and pulling up in an attempt to open the rear door.
1. Driver's side lock intermittently won't open from inside. Neither manually nor pressing the key fob will open. The only way to open the door is from the outside and manually using the handle. I have taken this to 2 toyota dealers and nothing has been done about it.
Brakes
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Dt: the brake system (not ABS) failed. She was not getting a warning sign when the brakes were going bad. Dealership and the manufacturer said that it was normal wear and tear. The brakes went out at 12,000 miles.
(1) cornering hard at high speed (45-60 MPH) (2) my 2005 Scion XB's ABS system applies the brakes without my touching the brake pedal. This causes the car to veer opposite away from the direction I'm steering toward the oncoming traffic lane or off the road. (3) the mechanic at the toyota dealership indicated that…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Scion XB recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
Full defect summary
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 between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Scion XB
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Scion XB?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (24 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles); visibility and wipers (16 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles); air bags (15 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Scion XB have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 3, 2010 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Scion XB?
- It is 4th of 13 XB model years by number of complaints, with 92 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.