Toyota Yaris Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Toyota Yaris options? We analyzed 10 model years (2011–2020) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Toyota Yaris? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
TOYOTA YARIS 2011-2020 has 145 NHTSA complaints and 24 recalls. Air bag issues account for 55 complaints, and vehicle speed control has 18. Buyers should verify recall repairs before purchase. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Yaris
- Model years analyzed
- 2011–2020 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 145
- Safety recall campaigns
- 24
- Crash-related complaints
- 36
- Fire-related complaints
- 3
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2012 (35 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2018 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
Toyota Yaris: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
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.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2011-2020 Toyota Yaris shows a high number of air bag complaints (55) and 24 recalls. Buyers should prioritize checking air bag systems and verifying recall completion. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Air bags account for 55 complaints, the most of any component.
- Vehicle speed control has 18 complaints, a notable safety concern.
- The 2012 model year has 35 complaints, the highest among years analyzed.
- Air bag system: 55 complaints, including potential non-deployment.
- Vehicle speed control: 18 complaints, possible unintended acceleration.
- Electrical system: 20 complaints, affecting various functions.
2012 (35 complaints), 2019 (26), and 2011 (25) have elevated complaints, driven largely by air bag and speed control issues.
2014, 2018, and 2016 have the fewest complaints (2, 4, and 5 respectively), suggesting lower issue frequency.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for air bag and speed control repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
- Test drive to check for speed control anomalies.
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
24 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TIRES
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2011–2020. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 145 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
145 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.
MY ACELERATOR PEDAL IS SO SMALL AND I HAD ALMOST AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE DURING A TRIP MY FOOT GOT STUCK UNDERNEAT THE PEDAL, I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE AT TIME BUT IT WAS HARD TO CHANGE TO THE BRAKES CAUSE IT TOOK LIKE A SECOND TO REMOVE MY FOOT, ALSO SOMETIMES I NEED TO SPEED FASTER TO CHANGE A LANE TO AVOID A SUDDEN STOP AND MY FOOT JUST JUMP FROM THE PEDAL TO UNDERNEAT IT, THAT PEDAL IS A DANGER AND IS A PROBABLY CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. IS THE SIZE OF MAYBE A LITTLE LAPTOP MOUSE INSTEAD TO BE A FULL PEDAL GOING FROM THE FLOOR TO THE TOP.
WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. ENTIRE SENSOR OF THE FRONT WERE TORN OFF AND STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY SISTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS DRIVING AND CRASHED AT 35MPH ON A CITY STREER AND CRASH INTO A STOP LIGHT AND SIGN BECAUSE SOMEONE TOOK A RED ON HER GREEN AND SHE SWERVED TO NOT HIT ANYONE.
I DROVE FROM RICHMOND CA TO LOS ANGELES ROUND TRIP. ON MY RETURN TRIP, I HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND WHEN I SAW MY PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR, IT LOOKED LIKE MY REAR BUMPER WAS GOING TO FALL. THE BUMPER WAS FLAPPING VIGOROUSLY. SOON AFTER, MY PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I STILL HAD 100 MILES TO GO ON MY TRIP. THE REAR BUMPER SEEMS POORLY DESIGNED AND NOT SECURE. I DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR ON LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. I'M A DISAPPOINTED BUYER.
THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT AND MY YARIS HAS LESS THAN 37,000 MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BECOMING DIZZY AND ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRACKED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
I RENTED THIS VEHICLE AT A MAJOR AIRPORT 2 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS CLOSE TO 4 PM WHEN I ENTERED THE HOTEL PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH AND SLOWED EVEN MORE WHEN I ENTERED THE PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF MY HOTEL ROOM. I WAS ALMOST PARKED AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP JUST ABOUT 3 FEET AWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A SOUND IN THE ENGINE LIKE THE TURBINE OF AN AIRPLANE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF FAST SPEED. INSTINCTIVELY I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE EVEN DEEPER BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND: IT WENT OVER THE WALK WAY AND ALTHOUGH I TRIED I COULD NOT CONTROL IT. IT STOPPED WHEN IT REACHED THE WALL OF THE ROOM RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO MINE AND BROKE INTO IT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF. THE ENGINE WAS STILL MAKING THE SAME TURBINE SOUND WHEN I TURNED IT OFF. IT WAS AN APPARENT CASE OF SELF ACCELERATION. EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY AND SO FAST! THERE WAS A MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING CAUSED BY THIS MALFUNCTION. FORTUNATELY NO BODILY INJURIES RESULTED FROM THIS ACCIDENT. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED. IT WAS PULLED OUT OF THE ROOM WITH POLICE HELP AND LATER TOWED FROM THAT LOCATION. THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 3:55 PM, THESE FACTS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT EXACTLY AS THEY HAPPENED AND I HAVE A WITNESS.
Read 14 more owner reports
I RENTED A 2014 TOYOTA YARIS FROM FOX RENT A CAR AT THE ORLANDO, FL AIRPORT ON 2/26/14. THE CAR HAD SEVEN MILES ON IT. AFTER DRIVING TWO BLOCKS THE CAR JUST STARED TO COAST. I PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE ENGINE DIDN'T SPEED UP, THE CAR JUST KEPT COASTING. WHEN THE SPEED DROPPED TO APPROX. FIVE MILES AN HOUR THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE CAR TO JERK FORWARD AS IF IT WAS ENGAGING AND THE CAR DROVE AS IT SHOULD. AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER TWO OR THREE BLOCKS THE SAME THING HAPPENED. BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD OF ENTERING AN INTERSECTION OR ENTERING A FREEWAY WITH NO POWER I CALL FOX RANT A CAR AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM. A WOMAN IN THE ROADSIDE SERVICE OFFICE TOLD ME THE CAR PROBABLY HAD A TRANSMISSION WHICH COULD BE SHIFTED FROM AUTOMATIC MODE INTO A MANUAL MODE AND I PROBABLY DONE THAT BY MISTAKE. I TOLD HER THIS WAS A BARE-BONES CAR WITH NO OPTIONS AND THE CAR DID NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT DAY WHEN WE TRIED TO DRIVE IT, IT CONSTANTLY WENT INTO THIS MODE WHERE THE CAR WENT INTO THE COAST MODE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT REENGAGE UNTIL THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT FIVE MILES AN HOUR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER IN MELBOURNE AND THEY CONDUCTED COMPUTER TESTS AND EVEN TOOK IT ON A TEST DRIVE WITH THE COMPUTER ON BOARD. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I CALLED FOX RENT A CAR AND AFTER MUCH HASSLE THEY DELIVERED ANOTHER 2014 YARIS WITH 1049 MILES ON IT TO ME. THIS CAR DOES THE SAME THING.THE VIN NUMBER GIVEN ABOVE IS FOR THE SECOND CAR. APPARENTLY THERE IS SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THIS MODEL TO DISENGAGE THE POWER TRAIN AND GO INTO THE COAST MODE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL DO THIS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE DANGEROUS SITUATION. THANK YOU *TR
The single blade windshield wiper was hitting below the windshield and then it completely stopped working today. I have made an appointment to get it serviced. It is also very hard to find sub blades for this and can only purchase 26 inch regular blades.
SOMETIMES WOBBLES ON THE ROAD. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLY IN A QUICK STOP, IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL NOT STOP. IT MAKES A NOISE. BRAKES WERE INSPECTED BUT COULD NOT FIND AN ANSWER. HAPPEN WHILE IN MONTION ONCE IT REACH BEYOND THE 20 MILES. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY.
THE CAR TILT TO THE RIGHT, SOMETIMES WOBBLES ON THE ROAD. AT SOME CURBS APPLIES THE ANTILOCK AT THE RIGHT NO MATTER. THIS HAPPEN WHILE IN MONTION ONCE IT REACH BEYOND THE 20 MILES. WHEN DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC IT JUMPS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THREE DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE DEER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR SEALANT WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED WATER TO PENETRATE THE REAR SEATS WHEN IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER TO HAVE AN INSPECTION PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THINKS THAT SHE MUST HAVE HIT A PATCH OF ICE BECAUSE THE CAR SUDDENLY FELT OUT OF CONTROL. THE LAST THING SHE REMEMBERS IS HEADING STRAIGHT TOWARD A GUARDRAIL AND TURNING TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE NEXT THING SHE REMEMBERS IS BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED SO BADLY THAT IT WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT, LEFT SIDE, AND LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND TO THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT TIRE WAS MISSING AND THE WHEEL RIML WAS BADLY BENT ON 2 SIDES. THE FRAME OF THE CAR WAS BENT ON THE LEFT SIDE, THE LEFT DOOR WAS JAMMED AJAR AND THE HOOD WOULD NOT CLOSE. MY DAUGHTER SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES IN THE ACCIDENT. SHE HAD A CONTUSION ON THE L SIDE OF HER HEAD AND A DISC IN HER CERVICAL SPINE WAS HERNIATED AND TOUCHING HER SPINAL CORD. HER FRONT TOOTH WAS BROKEN AND SHE HAD BRUISING ON HER FACE AND HER LEFT HIP. IN ADDITION TO ABOVE, THE ER DOCTOR SAID SHE HAD HAD A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. SHE IS IMPROVING BUT HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE DIFFICULTIES WITH FOCUSING AND SUSTAINING ATTENTION, SHORTTERM MEMORY, INTERMITTENT BLURRED VISION, AND HAS HAD TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL. THE NEUROSURGEON WHO FOLLOWS HER NOW SAID SHE WILL LIKELY NEED NECK SURGERY IN THE FUTURE. I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA SO THEY WOULD BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAGS HADN'T DEPLOYED AND THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SAFETY CONCERN IN OTHER 2013 YARIS CARS. THEIR RESPONSE WAS TROUBLING. THEY SEEMED FAR MORE FOCUSED ON AVOIDING A LAWSUIT THAN ON SAFETY CONCERNS. WHEN I CALLED THEM ONE MONTH LATER TO REPORT THAT SHE WAS BETTER AND TO ASK ABOUT FINDINGS, THEY COULDN'T GIVE ANY INFORMATION AS "THE CASE" WAS IN THEIR LEGAL DIVISION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY FOCUS WAS ON SAFETY CONCERNS.
OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2013 TOYOTA YARIS ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 60-65MPH, HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND SPUN OUT. IT IS UNCLEAR EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT AS SHE HAS NO MEMORY OF WHAT OCCURRED FROM THE TIME THE CAR BEGAN TO SPIN AND WAS HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARD A GUARD RAIL AND THEN HER BEING IN THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT IS UNCLEAR HOW LONG SHE WAS THERE BEFORE SHE REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS. THE CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT, LEFT FRONT, LEFT SIDE AND LEFT REAR. OUR DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A SEVERE CONCUSSION WITH LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND ANTEROGRADE AND RETROGRADE AMNESIA, INJURED HER NECK AND HAS A HERNIATED DISC AT C5-6, BROKE A FRONT TOOTH, AND HAS NUMEROUS CONTUSIONS, INCLUDING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER HEAD, LEFT HIP, AND BOTH KNEES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SHE WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED THE INJURIES, OR AT LEAST SUCH SEVERE INJURIES, HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT, AND THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. *TR
I RENTED THIS CAR FOR 1 WEEK, WHEN I WOULD GO TO APPLY THE BRAKE MY FOOT WOULD SLIP OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME EVERY 4TH OR 5TH TIME I WENT TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO BE SO CAREFUL IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN, I'M 58 YEARS OLD AND KNOW HOW TO DRIVE..THE PEDAL IS QUITE SMALL AND MAYBE AT THE WRONG POSITION FOR SAFE APPLICATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN. *TR
RAN OVER SOMETHING ON THE HIGHWAY IN YARIS RENTAL CAR. THE FUEL TANK WAS PUNCTURED / OR RUPTURED AS THERE WAS A LONG CRACK IN IT AND FUEL POURED OUT. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY TO A GAS STATION (~ 1/4 - 1/2 MI) WHERE I PARKED AND WE EXITED CAR. ADDITIONAL FUEL RAN OUT QUICKLY (GALLONS?). REPORTING BECAUSE OF FUEL TANK / SAFETY ISSUE. STRENGTH? VULNERABLE LOCATION? *TR
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
Showing 20 of 145 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Toyota Yaris
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Toyota Yaris, in plain English.
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 145 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 24 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. 36 of the Toyota Yaris's 145 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 Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (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. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for 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.
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Check a Toyota Yaris by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Toyota Yaris.
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Toyota Yaris reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Yaris reliable?
Average. The Toyota Yaris has 145 NHTSA owner complaints and 24 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Toyota Yaris years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2012 (35 complaints), 2019 (26 complaints), 2011 (25 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Toyota Yaris problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (55 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20 complaints); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (18 complaints).
Does the Toyota Yaris have recalls?
Yes — 24 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Toyota Yaris. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.