AI Damage2006 Scion XA: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Scion XA filed 71 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 71
- involving a crash
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 24% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- Air bags: 17 complaints (24% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 12 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine: 8 complaints (11% of all).
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (10% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (10% 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 71 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 17 | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 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.
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 airbags never deployed, they should have from where the car hit and how much damage I have done. Luckily no one got hurt but I'm like 100% positive those airbags should have deployed. I did a good $1,000 repair just to get it moving again
Our 19 year old daughter was driving the vehicle on the morning of the accident. She was exiting a shopping center complex and although the vehicle's acceleration pedal was slightly pressed the vehicle would not accelerate and acted as the brakes were depressed in place of the accelerator.
Bounced off that cement barrier into the oppisite barrier on the passenger front both were blown out and a frame of the vehicle was collapsed in the vehicle the driver's seat belt failed to lock or engage.
At the time of the accident, I was wearing my seat belt. But, as the airbag deployed and the momentum of the crash was set in motion, I was thrown sideways into the passenger seat. My right leg struck the gearshift (my car is a standard), shattering my right femur.
I had driven into a left turn lane to perform a left turn and had waited for the light to turn green. When the light turned green I stepped on the gas as usual and the car moved backwards instead of forwards. I immediately braked but still hit the car behind me that was also waiting to turn left.
While driving 15 mph the throttle became stuck and the speed increased which caused the contact to crash into the curb, the tire blew out and the front fender was damaged. No one was injured and no police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to her residence. A report was filed with the manufacturer.
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.
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 4,390 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the XA has 42 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 71, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- 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 2006 Scion XA?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, fuel system, engine. Total complaints: 71. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (39%), seat belts (10%), airbag warning light (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 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 2006 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 2006 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.