ScionXA2005Overview/scion/xa/2005/base/

2005 Scion XA

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 XA.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2005 Scion XA comes with a four‑speed automatic transmission and returns EPA estimates of 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined mpg, while its engine requires 4 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil. Owner‑reported data show 40 total complaints for the model year, with air‑bag issues the leading concern and three recalls issued. Across the 2004‑2007 span the XA’s complaint count ranged from a low of 14 in 2004 to a high of 71 in 2006, placing the 2005 model midway between the quietest and most troubled years.

Model year200620052004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/35/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780121030
Fuel filter233000A020
Spark plug9091901176
Battery2880011331
Front wiper blades852220R040 alt 8521213031
Serpentine belt9091602711 alt 9091602705
Thermostat9091603093 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter885685201083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 35 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the XA of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.8–10.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.80 sec — 2004 Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-48.80 sec16.70 sec108 hpFWD
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-49.40 sec16.89 sec108 hpFWD
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-410.80 sec18.20 sec108 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.1
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts22 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts20 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsScrews: 8 ft-lbs, Bolts: 6.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing0-14, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.94-1.08 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity1.50-3.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression156-213 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure22-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.787 in
Drum Nominal Diameter7.874 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9011 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9016 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke Bolts (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level) · Fuel System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Scion xA sits at the midpoint of a clear upward trend in federal complaints across its generation, with 40 complaints — nearly triple the 2004 total of 14 but still well below the 2006 peak of 71. Recalls follow a similar arc, rising from two in 2004 to three in 2005 and six in 2006 before settling at three for the final 2007 model year, while TSB volume remains relatively flat at 40–43 through 2006 before dropping sharply. Air bags dominate the 2005 complaint profile with 12 reports, followed by vehicle speed control (4), visibility (3), and hydraulic service brakes (2); the data does not specify root causes for any category. Thirteen crash-related complaints were logged for 2005 with no fire reports. The 2005 model year reflects a noticeable but not yet peak deterioration in reported issues, particularly around air bag systems. A used 2005 xA is a reasonable purchase if the air bag system has been verified functional and any open recalls addressed, but it carries more documented risk than the 2004 model.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
42
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
40
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 40 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags12
Vehicle Speed Control4
Visibility3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Electrical System2
Tires2
Engine1
Steering,Electrical System,Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V776000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control ModuleReported 01/11/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Toyota Scion xA vehicles. The air bag control module for the supplemental restraint system (SRS ECU) may experience an internal short… 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…

10V036000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 03/02/2010

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 42 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S-SB-0015-14 Rev2015-05-26EngineSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU…
S-SB-0015-14 Rev2015-05-26EquipmentSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU…
S-SB-0005-152015-05-13EquipmentSSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose…
S-SB-0005-152015-05-13EquipmentSSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose…
S-SB-0023-11 Rev2015-04-10Electrical SystemSSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific XA. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 XA take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 XA have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the XA get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined mpg.