AI Damage2004 Scion XA: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Scion XA filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and tires. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 2 Tires 21% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 14% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Tires: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Equipment: 2 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Because the airbags did not deploy she suffered major head trauma that lead to her death. The impact was so severe her passenger side of car was bent in to drivers side and she suffered broken limbs on right side of her body.
Driving home and hit another vehicle that was stopped. I was going approx. 40-45 mph. At the time of the accident. I rear ended a older cadillac, in my scion xa, the air bags never went off!!
Grabbed my keys went outside an my was turning off an on ,started my car with the keys it started up, turned it off it came back on an it was idling hard then smoke started coming from engine popped my hood smoke flooding everything ran for fire extinguisher couldn't find it ran for the hose wet it.
This unintended acceleration was occurring for about a quarter mile. I attempted one final cycle of the gas pedal (depress and release) and that finally stopped the acceleration.
2004 scion xa. Drivers side floor mat interferes with gas pedal. No damage or injuries to date. Ongoing problem for more than 2 years.
I have gone through 3 complete braking systems, replaced multiple sets of tires, the interior is already falling apart as the rear taillight is out and the front headlight as well.
Dt: 2004 toyota sienna. The consumer stated two of the original tires have split. The front passenger and rear driver side tires were the ones affected. He woke up one morning and the front tire was flat. After taking it off the vehicle he noticed a two inch split by the sidewall.
None of the warning lights came on. These are dunlop tires, sp400tdsscott. The vehicle was taken in today, for a loud noise she believed to be the roof rack.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,551 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the XA has 42 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 14, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Scion XA?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, tires, air bags. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (21%), airbags did not deploy (7%), headlights and tail lights (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Scion XA?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Scion XA from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.