Toyota Yaris
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2017–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Toyota Yaris? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
AI Interpretation
Medium ConfidenceAverageNHTSA complaint data for the Toyota Yaris (2017–2026) shows a moderate number of reports, with the highest concentration in the 2019 model year. The most frequently cited components are the engine and electrical system, though no single issue dominates. Crash-related complaints are relatively few.
- Engine and electrical system complaints together account for nearly half of all reports.
- The 2019 model year has the most complaints, while 2021–2023 have none.
- Vehicle speed control and fuel/propulsion system are also notable complaint areas.
- Engine issues, including possible stalling or performance problems.
- Electrical system malfunctions, such as battery or wiring faults.
- Vehicle speed control concerns, potentially related to unintended acceleration.
The 2019 model year has the most complaints (26), driven primarily by engine and electrical system issues. The 2017 model year also shows elevated complaints.
Model years 2021–2023 have zero complaints, suggesting these may be more reliable, though low sales or reporting could also explain the absence.
- Check for open recalls related to air bags at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Verify all open recalls for the specific model year.
- Request service records for engine and electrical system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on engine and electrical components.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
8 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
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Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 54 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
54 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT AUDIBLE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS BETWEEN 20 AND 30 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EDDIES TOYOTA (7333 E. KELLOGG DR.,WICHITA, KS), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER (MID WEST TOYOTA, 1100 E 30TH AVE, HUTCHINSON, KS), BUT THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
AT 19000 MILES I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY BREAKING SOMETIMES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WOULD WORK AND SOMETIMES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE DID NOT IN THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP AND SO WOULD THE TIRES . WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR I ATTEMPTED BREAK AND MAKE I TURN INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I RAN UP ON A CURB AND INTO A STOP SIGN I DIDN'T HIT THE STOP SIGN VERY HARD BECAUSE I WAS APPLYING MY BRAKES THE ENTIRE TIME BUT NEEDLESS TO SAY IT DID HAPPEN. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER LITTLE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THE CAR THAT I REALLY DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO BUT NOW I WILL LIKE MY SCREEN WENT OUT FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THEN CAME BACK ON AND MY ENGINE MADE A FUNNY SOUND THAT MORNING WHEN I STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT AND KIND OF HAD A HARD TIME ACCELERATING, THEN LIKE MAYBE AN HOUR LATER THE WHOLE BREAKING INCIDENT HAPPENED I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING AND ALL THE TOYOTA YARIS HAS BUT I HAVE AN IA AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED ME THAT MY BRAKES WORK JUST FINE AND THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I'M NOT CONVINCED.
THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT SHINE FAR ENOUGH TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN APPROACHING A 90 DEGREE LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT NIGHT. I NOTICED THIS RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY DIFFICULTY SEEING WHEN I WAS MAKING A TURN. I'M SURE IT IS NOT THE LIGHTS NEEDING ADJUSTMENT. IT IS A VERY BAD DESIGN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALSO VERY DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THERE WILL BE MANY ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE HEADLIGHT DESIGN. I BELIEVE THIS FLAW SHOULD BE RE-CALLED AND REPAIRED.
TAKATA RECALL MY WIFE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT END AND NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER WHICH CAUSED HER VEHICLE TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AT THE REAR AND THE FRONT, AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS YET TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION ON WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED KNEE AND FACE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MATTHEWS MOTORS WILMINGTON DEALER (5723 MARKET ST, WILMINGTON, NC 28405) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
MY VEHICLE HAS 21K MILES 2017 BOUGHT NEW AND THE FRONT ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I DRIVE LOCAL, AND I AM BEING TOLD HARD STOPS ON BRAKES WILL OVERHEAT THE ROTORS. I DO NOT DRIVE AT 90MPH THEN JAM ON THE BRAKES. I DO NOT DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CANNOT DRIVE AFTER DUSK. I BELIEVE THE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. I NOTICE WHEN I DRIVE 10 MILES AND BACK THE ROTORS ARE TO HOT TO TOUCH, THEY ARE OVERHEATING. I CALLED TOYOTA USA AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME. I SHOULD NOT BE REPLACING ROTORS AT 21K MILES. I HAD A 2008 YARIS AND DROVE THAT CAR FOR 5.5 YEARS AND I NEVER REPLACED ROTORS.
MY FIXD SENSOR PICKED UP A B1660 AIRBAG CODE, SEAT DRIVER FRONT UP CIRCUIT OPEN ERROR CODE. BUT MY VIN SAYS THERE ARE NO UNREPAIRED RECALLS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V319000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT FRANK TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 2400 NATIONAL CITY BLVD, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950, (866) 308-9461) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA YARIS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO GEAR, IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, PLACED INTO DRIVE, AND THEN STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK TOYOTA OF FAYETTEVILLE (LOCATED AT 1969 SKIBO RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314, (910) 498-0110) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,800.
I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, AND INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH MY FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM AND AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BREAKING DID NOT ACTIVATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT OR WARNING. THE CONTACT ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
CAR SHUTS ON AND OFF, OFF AND ON WHEN STARTING OR WHILE DRIVING.
I RECENTLY BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THEN 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL. SO MY ISSUE IS WHEN I'M AT A LIGHT AND I'M IN DRIVE OR REVERSE YOU CAN SEE THE RPM JUMP AROUND TO ABOUT 400 TO 700 AND THE CAR STARTS TO VIBRATE SHAKING THE CAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 23,XXX MILES ON IT.
THE EXACT TIRES/CAR I HAVE WERE NOT LISTED. THEY ARE: 2017 TOYOTA YARIS IA TOYO PROXES A27 TIRES TODAY I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON SURFACE STREETS. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND A WARNING CAME ON THAT SAID I HAD LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT THE NEXT BLOCK TO CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE AND DISCOVERED MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED. I HAD ONLY DRIVEN 2 MILES FROM WHERE I HAD STARTED AND MY TIRES WERE FINE WHEN I LEFT. THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE. ONCE ON AUGUST 1ST, 2018 AS I PARKED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET (THE LOW PRESSURE LIGHT DIDN'T EVEN COME ON AT THIS TIME) AND THE SECOND TIME TODAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 2018. BOTH TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETELY SHREDDED. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TIRE EXPLODE LIKE THIS AND I HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF TWO MONTHS IN A 16 MONTH OLD CAR WITH ONLY 20K MILES ON IT. I HAD A 200K MILE 2002 HONDA AND WHILE IT HAD FLATS ONCE EVERY 5-6 YEARS MAYBE, I NEVER HAD A TIRE EXPLODE LIKE THIS AND I DRIVE LESS NOW THAN I DID WITH MY HONDA. THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES THAT MAKES THEM SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO SHREDDING LIKE THAT. IT MAKES ME VERY SCARED TO CONTINUE DRIVING. I WORRY THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS I WILL BE ON A FREEWAY OR NOT SOMEWHERE EASY TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
THE CAR DOES NOT LIKE THE ACCELERATE, WHEN PUSHING THE GAS YOU HAVE TO PUT IT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT TAKES ABOUT 15 SECONDS TO ACTUALLY ACCELERATE. AT 40,000 MILES THE REAR SHOCKS WENT OUT, AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE WORE DOWN AND IS BULGING.
AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO TOYOTA AND SEVERAL DAYS OF REPAIR THEY HAVE YET TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA YARIS HAVING THE TIRE SIGNAL TURNING ON NOT ONLY IS IT A WASTE OF MONEY BECAUSE IT TURNS ON EVERY OTHER DAY OR SO AT RANDOM TIMES AND WE HAVE TO TAKE IT AND PAY TO TAKE IT TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN BUT IT ALSO IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT'S HIGHER COULD REALLY BE LOW AND I JUST THINK IT'S MESSING UP AND I GET A FLAT TIRE AND BE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR HOURS. OR THE TIRE COULD BLOW OUT AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE A WRECK AND I COULD INJURE MYSELF OR THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR
THERE HAS BEEN MANY TIMES THAT WHEN I NEEDED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE IT WOULDN'T, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES. WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS IS I WILL COME UP TO A CORNER TO MAKE A TURN AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING I ACCELERATE TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR HESITATE . SOMETIMES I HAVE HAD TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR AND EVEN THEN IT TAKES SOME TIME FOR THE CAR TO MOVE FASTER. ALSO I HAVE FOUND THAT IN TRAFFIC I WILL NEED TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A COLLISION ONLY TO FIND THE CAR DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT AND SEEMINGLY HESITATING. NOW NOT EVERY TIME DOES THIS HAPPEN, BUT IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. THIS DANGEROUS, AND I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH THEY DID BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING. IT WAS ON JULY 19, 2017 THAT I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, LOMBARD TOYOTA CUSTOMER #103445, INVOICE #382304.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE MERGING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE FINALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ONLY EXHIBITED THE FAILURE WHEN TRAVELING ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (COUNTRY TOYOTA IN WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING ACCORDING TO STANDARDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN TWO MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1708151519. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,431.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL WAS CHANGED AT 535 MILES. 20 MILES LATER SAME ISSUES BUT ONLY AT FIRST FROM A DEAD STOP. NOW AT 2100 MILES THE CAR HAS THE SHUDDER IN 5/6 GEARS AS WELL BETWEEN 59MPH TO 72. ALSO MANUAL GEAR LEVER STARTED TO DEVELOP 1/4 INCH PLAY SIDE TO SIDE. ITS HARD TO PUT IN FIRST/SECOND AT TIMES DUE TO PLAY.
Vehicle has safety recall, vehicle may stall at high speed, Toyota dealership replace fuel pump after replacements check engine light came on same day, and after few thousand miles light also came on , never fix the problem, now they charged me $280.00 to do the diagnostic check engine light even though that i purchased extended warranty for 125,000 miles and they also want to charge me $930.00 for engine de carburetor and test again…Thanks
Showing 20 of 54 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Toyota Yaris
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota Yaris has 54 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Toyota Yaris has 8 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 6 of the Toyota Yaris's 54 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Toyota Yaris vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Toyota Yaris vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Toyota Yaris has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.