The Scion xA spans 1995–2026 with 3 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2006, 2005, 2004 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1995, 1996, 1997. It delivers up to 30 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Scion xA a good car?
Short answer: it depends heavily on which year you buy. Our score for the Scion xA is 3.5 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the air bags — 33 of the 125 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 1995, 1996, 1997 score best in our data, and 2006, 2005 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Scion xA is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Scion xA VIN — every digit explained
Every Scion xA carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Scion and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this xA.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the number is stamped on your xA, see our free VIN decoder.
How many recalls does the Scion xA have?
The Scion xA has 3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Scion xA
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 32 tracked years, the worst years are 2006, 2005, 2004 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1995, 1996, 1997.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 xA | — | Best | |
| 1996 xA | — | Best | |
| 1997 xA | — | Best | |
| 1998 xA | — | Average | |
| 1999 xA | — | Average | |
| 2000 xA | — | Average | |
| 2001 xA | — | Average | |
| 2002 xA | — | Average | |
| 2003 xA | — | Average | |
| 2004 xA | Tires | Avoid | |
| 2005 xA | Air Bags | Avoid | |
| 2006 xA | Air Bags | Avoid | |
| 2007 xA | — | Average | |
| 2008 xA | — | Average | |
| 2009 xA | — | Average | |
| 2010 xA | — | Average | |
| 2011 xA | — | Average | |
| 2012 xA | — | Average | |
| 2013 xA | — | Average | |
| 2014 xA | — | Average | |
| 2015 xA | — | Average | |
| 2016 xA | — | Average | |
| 2017 xA | — | Average | |
| 2018 xA | — | Average | |
| 2019 xA | — | Average | |
| 2020 xA | — | Average | |
| 2021 xA | — | Average | |
| 2022 xA | — | Average | |
| 2023 xA | — | Average | |
| 2024 xA | — | Average | |
| 2025 xA | — | Average | |
| 2026 xA | — | Average |
What are the most common Scion xA problems?
The most-reported Scion xA problems are Air (2 reports), Other (2 reports) and Seats (3 reports) — out of 125 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Scion xA specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Scion xA. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Scion xA window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Scion xA cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the xA holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 86 cu ft of passenger volume and 12 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Scion xA tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Scion xA get?
The Scion xA returns up to 30 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,000/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2006 Scion xA (1.5L 4-cyl) gets 30 mpg combined and costs about $2,100/yr to fuel, emitting 296 g/mi CO₂ (smog 1/10) — that's about $500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 xA | 27 | 35 | $2,100 | 296 | 1/10 | 1.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2005 xA | 27 | 35 | $2,100 | 296 | 1/10 | 1.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2004 xA | 27 | 34 | $2,100 | 296 | 1/10 | 1.5L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the xA stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this xA's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Scion xA have? Power & range
The Scion xA is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.5L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Scion xA cost to own?
A used Scion xA sells for a median of about $3,000 for a 2006 — most listed between $2,000 and $3,900, from 24 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 xA | $2,000–$3,900 | 13 | |
| 2005 xA | $2,500–$6,900 | 7 | |
| 2004 xA | $1,200–$4,900 | 4 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a xA is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Scion xA depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this xA loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $10,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the xA ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Scion xA safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the xA yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Scion xA last?
A well-maintained Scion xA typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Scion xA’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this xA’s VIN free →All Scion xA model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Scion xA — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2025 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2024 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2023 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2022 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2021 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2020 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2019 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2018 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2017 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2016 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2015 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2014 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2013 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2012 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2011 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2010 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2009 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2008 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2007 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2006 xA | 1 recall | — | |
| 2005 xA | 1 recall | — | |
| 2004 xA | 1 recall | — | |
| 2003 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2002 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2001 xA | 0 | — | |
| 2000 xA | 0 | — | |
| 1999 xA | 0 | — | |
| 1998 xA | 0 | — | |
| 1997 xA | 0 | — | |
| 1996 xA | 0 | — | |
| 1995 xA | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the xA?
By owner-complaint volume, 2006, 2005, 2004 drew the most reports. 1995, 1996, 1997 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the xA have?
3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Scion recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the xA get?
Up to 30 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a xA last?
A well-maintained xA typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the xA reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the xA is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Scion xA warranty?
New Scion models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Scion dealer.
Where is the Scion xA made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your xA's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Scion may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the xA have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.