2006 Scion Xa Problems and Recalls (70 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2006 Scion Xa is Airbags (19% of 70 owner reports). There are 6 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Airbags — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 70 complaints · 6 recalls

What problems show up on the 2006 Scion Xa?

13 of 70 filings named Airbags (19% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Fuel system (13 reports).

There are 6 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Cruise / speed control and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2005 has 39 reports on file; this year has 70. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2006 Scion Xa

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 6 campaigns on file below.
  2. Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
  3. Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
  4. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Airbags. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Airbags 13 complaints · 18.6% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 13
  • Fires 3
  • Injuries 8
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2005 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Airbags (AIR BAGS) appears in 13 of 70 owner complaints (18.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. Airbags (AIR BAGS): 13 complaints, 18.6% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 6 crash reports 13 · 18.6% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 13 complaints, 18.6% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 13 · 18.6% Engine (ENGINE): 12 complaints, 17.1% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 3 fire reports 12 · 17.1% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 7 complaints, 10.0% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 3 crash reports 7 · 10.0% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 4 complaints, 5.7% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 4 · 5.7% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 4 complaints, 5.7% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 3 crash reports 4 · 5.7% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 3 complaints, 4.3% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 · 4.3% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 3 complaints, 4.3% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 · 4.3% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 2 complaints, 2.9% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 2 · 2.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 27 complaints, 38.6% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 3 crash reports 27 · 38.6% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 13 18.6% 6 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 13 18.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 12 17.1% 0 crashes · 3 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 7 10.0% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 5.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 4 5.7% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 4.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 4.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 2 2.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 27 38.6% 3 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Apr 2006; the first recall shown was reported in Jan 2007. 2006-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2008-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2010-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2010-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2010-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2016-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Apr 2006 Apr 2026 Recall campaign 07E005000 ◆ Recall campaign 07E005000 Recall campaign 07V030000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V030000 Recall campaign 07V048000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V048000 Recall campaign 09V223000 ◆ Recall campaign 09V223000 Recall campaign 10V036000 ◆ Recall campaign 10V036000 Recall campaign 18V776000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V776000
  • Campaign 09V223000 was reported 1,165 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 10V036000 was reported 1,398 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V776000 was reported 3,908 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2006-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q1 Owner reports 2
2008-Q1 Owner reports 3
2008-Q4 Owner reports 1
2009-Q2 Owner reports 2
2009-Q4 Owner reports 6
2010-Q1 Owner reports 5
2010-Q2 Owner reports 5
2010-Q3 Owner reports 1
2010-Q4 Owner reports 2
2011-Q1 Owner reports 1
2011-Q4 Owner reports 1
2012-Q1 Owner reports 2
2012-Q2 Owner reports 1
2012-Q3 Owner reports 2
2012-Q4 Owner reports 1
2013-Q3 Owner reports 1
2013-Q4 Owner reports 2
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q2 Owner reports 2
2015-Q1 Owner reports 1
2015-Q4 Owner reports 5
2016-Q1 Owner reports 4
2016-Q2 Owner reports 2
2016-Q4 Owner reports 1
2017-Q1 Owner reports 2
2017-Q3 Owner reports 1
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
2018-Q3 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q2 Owner reports 2
2019-Q4 Owner reports 1
2020-Q1 Owner reports 1
2021-Q4 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 1
2024-Q4 Owner reports 1
2025-Q1 Owner reports 1
2026-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 07E005000
Recall campaign 1 07V030000
Recall campaign 1 07V048000
Recall campaign 1 09V223000
Recall campaign 1 10V036000
Recall campaign 1 18V776000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (6)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Cruise / speed control and Airbags.

  1. Recall campaign 07E005000

    Cruise / speed control

    Report date
    Component:
    Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
    Consequence:
    FAILURE TO RELEASE THE THROTTLE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOTIFY THEIR OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL FREE OF CHARGE. ROSTRA WILL NOTIFY PURCHASERS OF THE ATERMARKET CRUISE CONTROLS AND REPLACE THE UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 13, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ROSTRA AT 910-291-2538.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 07V030000

    Cruise / speed control

    Report date
    Component:
    Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
    Consequence:
    A CRASH COULD BE CAUSE IN THE EVENT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO RETURN TO IDLE ON THE FIRST DEPRESSION OF THE "ON/OFF" SWITCH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE SPEED CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GST AT 1-800-444-1074.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 07V048000

    Safety recall 07V048000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A CRASH COULD BE CAUSE IN THE EVENT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO RETURN TO IDLE ON THE FIRST DEPRESSION OF THE "ON/OFF" SWITCH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE SPEED CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 09V223000

    Safety recall 09V223000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 10V036000

    Safety recall 10V036000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 18V776000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    If the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners unintentionally deploy, it can increase the risk of a crash. If the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners are deactivated, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the SRS ECU, and if necessary, replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0W.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 7 of 70 complaints · page 1 of 3
2026-06-17Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11744799
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Scion XA. The contact stated that while driving through a green light in second gear, another vehicle ran a light from the left and crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's head struck the side window, and the vehicle spun and was able to come to a stop. The Police arrived on the scene; however, a Police report was not filed. The contact received injuries to the ankles, back, and sustained whiplash. Medical attention was sought. The vehicle was able to be driven from the scene; however, the wheel was damaged, causing issues with the alignment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken to the dealer 7 times. While the contact’s husband was driving the vehicle, there was a sudden loss of power. The driver was able to coast the vehicle in neutral to a nearby truck stop, and the vehicle was towed to another dealer. The second dealer, Vic Vaughan Toyota of Boerne (31205 Frontage Rd #10, Boerne, TX 78006); diagnosed the vehicle and determined that due to the collision, the engine had shifted, crushing the alternator up against the side of the vehicle. The alternator was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues. The failure mileage was unknown.
2025-02-27Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11645388
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The airbag warning light started flashing while driving. I checked for recalls and my model year has one for this problem but when I enter the VIN the result says that there isn't a recall for it.
2024-10-04Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11618041
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Symptom: When brakes are applied, car will violently jerk to the left into the path of oncoming traffic. Countersteering to prevent collision results in left front tire skidding with poor braking. Cause: Initially, the suspected cause was a failed right front brake caliper. However, upon investigation, it was found that the ABS braking module was blocking all brake fluid from going to the right front caliper. Solution: ABS braking module must be replaced. Comment: It should be assumed that if one front wheel brake is disabled, then the other could also be disabled without warning resulting in no braking capability at all. On this vehicle, the rear brakes are also controlled by the ABS module.
2023-05-19Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11522939
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2006 Scion XA. The contact stated that while seated in the vehicle while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger’s side air bag deployed without impact and caused the windshield to shatter. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had not sustained an injury. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to replace the air bag; however, the contact was made aware that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V776000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was then taken to another local dealer; however, the dealer also confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.
2021-10-15Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11436948
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2006 scion XA The dash light indicator for pass airbag stays on, showing problem with that system. Toyota had a recall and my car was supposedly fixed this problem, only to have same problem again 4 mos past the 1 year warranty on repairs. I contacted toyota...they sent me an email saying they would get back to me, and gave me a case #[XXX]. 5 mos. later had not heard from them...so called them. They said they were sorry but I was past the 1 yr warranty on recall repair. I can't understand why NHTSA allows mfg to do temporary repairs on defective systems, and kick the can down the road until consumer is responsible for further repairs, when it should have be fixed right in the 1st place. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2020-01-14Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11299168
CrashFireInjuryDeath
NEAR 100,000 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT; LIGHT JUST CAME ON ONE DAY UPON STARTING IT UP. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS LIGHT CAN REPRESENT AN ERROR IN CRASH SENSORS, AIR BAG SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR, ETC. INTERNET FORUMS SAY THAT OFTEN ONE OF THE WIRES UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS JUST WORKED LOOSE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND IT WAS NOT A LOOSE WIRE. THEY SAY A CERTAIN "BOX" IN THE SRS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, AND THE REPLACEMENT WILL COST $1300. I NOTE THAT ~17,000 OF THESE SAME VEHICLES WERE RECALLED IN 2018 FOR A SAME/SIMILAR ISSUE, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL.
2019-12-31Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11292364
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE WARNING LIGHT OTHER THAN A DEFECT. WHAT CAN I/YOU DO???? KIND REGARDS, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2006 Scion Xa?

Owners named Airbags most often — 13 of 70 reports (19%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2006 Scion Xa?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Cruise / speed control and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2006 Scion Xa?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources