Two years at the same age, so the older one is not punished for having been on the road longer.
2005 vs 2006 Scion Xa
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
In plain English
A lifetime total makes the 2005 look busier because it has been on the road longer. This page counts reports in the first 252 months for each year, so both years are the same age.
In that window, the 2006 has 79.5% more owner reports than the 2005.
The mix also shifted: Fuel system is a larger share of reports on the 2006 (18.6 points). That is a change in what owners named, not a score.
Open both year-pages. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov. Have a shop inspect Fuel system. Do not pick a year from the percentage alone.
First 252 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Sep 8, 2026
Reports while each year was the same age
▲ 79.5% more reports at the same age
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
What owners named more or less
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 2005 share | 2006 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | not reported | 18.6% | ▲ 18.6 pts larger share |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 33.3% | 18.6% | ▼ 14.8 pts smaller share |
| Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) | 15.4% | 1.4% | ▼ 14.0 pts smaller share |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 5.1% | 17.1% | ▲ 12.0 pts larger share |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 10.3% | 4.3% | ▼ 6.0 pts smaller share |
| Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) | 2.6% | 5.7% | ▲ 3.2 pts larger share |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 2.6% | 5.7% | ▲ 3.2 pts larger share |
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | not reported | 2.9% | ▲ 2.9 pts larger share |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 12.8% | 10.0% | ▼ 2.8 pts smaller share |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 2.6% | not reported | ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share |
| Steering (STEERING) | 2.6% | not reported | ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share |
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 2.6% | not reported | ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share |
| Tires (TIRES) | 2.6% | 1.4% | ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 5.1% | 4.3% | ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 46.2% | 38.6% | ▼ 7.6 pts smaller share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-09-06
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: Airbags, Unclassified NHTSA leftover, and Cruise / speed control
Campaign components: Airbags, Unclassified NHTSA leftover, and Cruise / speed control
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 0 → 3
- ◆ Injuries
- 12 → 8
Frequently asked questions
Which Scion Xa year had more problems, 2005 or 2006?
In that window, the 2006 has 79.5% more owner reports than the 2005. Lifetime totals are not used here because the older year has had more time on the road.
Why not just compare lifetime complaint totals?
The older year has had more time to collect reports. This page holds age constant by counting the first 252 months for each year.
Does a larger share of one system mean that year is worse?
No. It means owners named that system more often in the file. Inspect it. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip.