Toyota Yaris
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2017β2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database β the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Toyota Yaris? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
β 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 Reliability Analysis
AverageThe Toyota Yaris has 54 complaints and 8 recalls for 2017-2026, with top issues in engine, electrical system, and vehicle speed control. Six crash-related complaints indicate potential safety risks, though overall complaint volume is moderate.
Check for open recalls and service history, especially for engine and electrical system repairs. Test drive to ensure no hesitation or unintended acceleration.
- Engine problems
- Electrical system failures
- Vehicle speed control issues
π 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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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017β2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
π§ Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 54 NHTSA complaints.
π 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
The vehicle do unnecessary abrupt breaking in the highway when the road are reduced due to reparation. In addition in two times, when I tried to park to my garage in the back of other vehicle the breaking system related to collision is activate. This area of my garage is an inclined drive way zone and I put the vehicle back to other. In occasions when I go out to my residence, I need to go thru a control system that content a electrical barrier (electric arm), and around 4 or 5 times, when I close to this area the car did a hard stop, and the collision red light turned on with a beep sound, the same indication when the car activate the breaking system in the highway and when I try to park in some times to my garage. The most critical issue is when hard stooping in the highway due to in these times the other vehicles claimed me why reason I stopping without any reason, and them are very close to collision the back of my car. When this happen the sound of the tires of my car can be ear clearly the hard stopping. I very disappointment and very scare this defect was and will be in danger my life, due to the dealer retailer that I buy my car don't found any issue after my notification and I had no choice open a case directly with the Toyota, and now the dealer retailer will do an a correct inspection but I need to pay for this, is incredible due to my 2020 car only have 18,000 used miles.
This 2020 Yaris is registered to me but driven by my daughter to her workplace less that 3 miles away. The first incident involved the engine laboring to start and when she came home, the battery was dead. I was able to re-charge the battery at home but 2 days later, the car would not start at home. I have an auto engine scanner that registered a P2610 code stating "an Engine Control Module, ECM/PCM Engine Off Timer Performance". The battery had been completely drained of its liquid. This is a safety hazard that could have stranded my daughter as she sometimes drives to Houston which is about 30 miles away. I researched this code and found that the NHTSA has previously issued notices on these problems. We need help getting it resolved.Car is available for inspection.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Yaris. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact they did not know when parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle was bucking and jerking while driving at slower speeds. The contact stated that also that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, while depressing the accelerator pedal to the flooring, the vehicle made an abnormal growling sound. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
i was at a stop light waiting for a left turn. there was a truck in front of me. the light turned green. the truck drove forward and was beginning to turn. there was a car space between me and the truck. i accelerated to turn and within a few seconds i felt the anti lock brakes activate, car stopped the engine shut off. i had to put the car in park and restart the engine. its a good thing there wasnt a car behind me.
THE OWNERS MANUAL CAPACITIES FOR AN OIL CHANGE WITH FILTER CALLS FOR 4.4QTS. WHEN THIS AMOUNT OF OIL IS USED AND THE PROPER INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOLLOWED AS PER THE SAME MANUAL TO CHECK THE LEVEL WITH THE DIPSTICK IT SHOWS THAT IT IS OVERFILLED BY CLOSE TO 1QT. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T EXPLAIN IT NOR CAN TOYOTA. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE EITHER PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE OR POSSIBLY AN ENGINE FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW.
I HAVE A 2020 TOYOTA YARIS WITH 3500 MILES THAT HAS AN INTENSE AND REPEATED VIBRATION PROBLEM THAT STARTED APPEARING 9 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. WHEN I COME FULLY TO A STOP, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL VIBRATE INTENSELY LIKE A MASSAGE CHAIR. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT THROUGHOUT - IN SEATS, STEERING WHEEL, DASH, BRAKE PEDAL, EVEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE VIBRATION IS SO INTENSE IT CAN BE VISUALLY SEEN. WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, THE ENGINE IS SHAKING INTENSELY. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS IN DRIVE/REVERSE AND WHEN STOPPED. IF THE CAR IS IN PARK/NEUTRAL, OR WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING, IT DOES NOT VIBRATE. THE VIBRATION COMES BACK WHEN PUT BACK INTO DRIVE/REVERSE. THE VIBRATION ONLY HAPPENS ONCE THE CAR IS WARM. CAR VIBRATES AT 500 RPM. WHEN RPM GOES UP TO 600 OR MORE, IT STOPS VIBRATING. IT ALSO STOPS VIBRATING IF THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS TURNED ON (RPMS RISING). AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A LOW IDLE BECAUSE IDLE RPMS WERE TOO LOW (NOT A ROUGH IDLE). I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND FILM IT HAPPENING BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX IT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED OTHER CARS FOR THE PROBLEM; THEY FIRST TOLD ME THAT MY YARIS IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THAT PROBLEM, THEN THEY CHANGED THEIR STATEMENT AND SAID "3 OTHER YARIS AT OTHER DEALERSHIPS ALSO HAD THAT PROBLEM, BUT IT IS LIKE 3 OUT OF 30,000 YARIS". THIS MEANS THAT THE VIBRATION PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS CAR AND A FEW OF THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE (WITH MINE BEING ONE OF THEM). I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 SEPARATE TIMES REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT THEY REFUSED OR GAVE ME AN EXCUSE, SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT, COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ETC. MY CAR ONLY HAS 3,500 MILES AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW CAR. TOYOTA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND FIND AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY, TAKE THIS CAR BACK, OR COMPENSATE THE OWNER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURELY FASTEN INTO THE BUCKLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
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.
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.
π 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 β 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 β 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 β 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 β 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 β 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 β 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.
Is This Data Saved in Firebase & Indexed by Google?
Yes β intentionally. When you first visit this page, our server fetches live data directly from the NHTSA public API (no key required), processes it, and caches it in Google Firebase Firestore for 24 hours. The fully rendered HTML β with all NHTSA complaints, recalls, NCAP ratings, and investigations β is then indexed by Google Search. This is by design: caching real government data in Firebase lets us serve comprehensive vehicle safety pages instantly, while giving Google Bots rich structured content to rank for searches like "Toyota Yaris reliability" or "NHTSA recalls." No personal data is stored β only public NHTSA records are cached. You can always verify everything directly at nhtsa.gov.