ScionXB2005Overview/scion/xb/2005/base/

2005 Scion XB

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

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2005 Scion XB is a compact hatchback featuring a 4-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 4 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated oil for service, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. Reliability data for this model year shows 92 total owner complaints filed across its lifespan, with structural issues representing the most frequently cited concern among respondents, and the vehicle having been subject to seven safety recalls. When placed within the model's broader complaint history spanning 2002 to 2015—a range that saw complaints as low as 1 in 2003 and as high as 339 in 2008—the 2005 XB occupies a middle position, suggesting neither the most problem-free nor the most troubled year in the model's production run, indicating moderate but not standout reliability performance for this generation.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920082005

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 economy27/32/29 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 / turnPARKOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-60R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780121030
Fuel filter233000A020 alt 2321721030
Spark plug9091901176
Battery2880011331
Front wiper blades8522252131 alt 8521252141
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 / 32 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume21 cu ft
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 XB of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.2–11.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2008 Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004Wagon 1.5L I-410.10 sec17.13 sec108 hpFWD
2004Wagon 1.5L I-410.60 sec18.20 sec108 hpFWD
2004Wagon 1.5L I-411.50 sec18.50 sec108 hpFWD
2004Wagon 1.5L I-411.90 sec18.42 sec108 hpFWD
2006Wagon 1.5L I-49.60 sec17.30 sec103 hpFWD
2008Wagon 2.4L I-47.20 sec15.60 sec158 hpFWD
2008Wagon 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.00 sec158 hpFWD
2008Wagon 2.4L I-48.50 sec16.40 sec158 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 18.0 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 Plug18.0 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 Capacity0.76-0.93 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 Pressure4.2 psi @ Idle, 42-80 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.014 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 XB sits in the middle of a clear upward trend in complaints within this generation: complaints rose sharply from 37 in 2004 to 92 in 2005, then peaked at 253 in 2006 before dropping to just 3 in 2007. This indicates 2005 represents an inflection point where reliability concerns were escalating significantly, though the 2005 model still had fewer complaints than the 2006 and 2008 model years that would follow. The 2005 model had 7 recalls and 48 TSBs on file, with the top complaint areas being Structure (15), Visibility (14), Air Bags (12), and Vehicle Speed Control (8), plus 15 crash-related complaints and 1 fire complaint. Compared to the sharp spike to 339 complaints in 2008 (which also triggered the generation's first NHTSA investigation), the 2005 year is relatively less problematic within this generation's arc. The concrete takeaway is that while 2005 is not the worst year in this generation, it falls during the early escalation phase of reliability issues, making it a moderate-risk purchase compared to earlier years like 2002-2003 or the later, more stable model years.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
48
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
92
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 92 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure15
Visibility14
Air Bags12
Vehicle Speed Control8
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Tires3
Electrical System,Structure3
Structure,Latches/Locks/Linkages3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

10V035000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 03/02/2010

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD… 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. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 48 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-PANT-2024-004-2024-03-04Engine And Engine CoolingThis is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil…
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…

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 XB. 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 XB take?

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

Does the 2005 XB have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the XB get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 32 highway / 29 combined mpg.