2008 TOYOTA YARIS Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Yaris. This model year has 218 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
Before you buy — check the actual VIN
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2008 Toyota Yaris Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Brake System
Unintended Acceleration
Considering a 2008 Toyota Yaris?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Toyota Yaris. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 107 | 31 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 36 | 10 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 20 | 9 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 18 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 16 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 6 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota Yaris. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 218 most recent complaints
Car was in park, ignition off, with the keys removed. The gear shift could apparently move in this locked position and the vehicle rolled backwards with a 6 year old child in the car. The car was totaled after hitting a concrete base to a light fixture. A failure occurred that al…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated that the vehicle unintendedly shifted from park by accidentally touching the gear selector with a knee or hand without the brake pedal being depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not cont…
The rear subframe is cracked 3/4 way through. And there is a hole rusted through behind the tire. Just found it this week when replacing wheel bearing.
My brakes have failed me many times. I had to eventually get those change in the brakes still aren’t working completely correct
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated while the vehicle was receiving routine maintenance, the mechanic stated that the chain sprockets on both camshafts were worn. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated while a friend was driving approximately 30 MPH, the rear axle fractured at the welds. The rear wheels went into the wheel well. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported inquires. The contact stated …
A FRAME THAT HOLDS ENGINE IN VEHICLE IS ROTTED LOOKS LIKE SWISS CHEEZE IT SHOULD BE MADE OUT OF CAST IRON THATS A SAFETY ISSUE
Airbags did not deploy in passenger-side car accident. Neither passenger airbags nor driver airbags.
Vehicle is showing an evap canister, purge valve leak which is common across many Toyota`s of high mileage, I would get a faint smell of gas here and there and curious to know if this would be covered. Vehicle is still in great shape and runs strong. Please advise on next steps n…
My fiancee bought her 2008 Toyota Yaris on about the 26 Apr 2021. Right off she had brake failure pretty quickly after buying the car. Brake pads were suspected of failing. When the front tires were removed the calipers had built up thick rust on inside surface where the pads sit…
I WAS GOING 15-20 MPH ON ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY AND ACCIDENTALLY VEERED RIGHT HITTING THE GUARD RAIL ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, RESULTING IN MY FACE HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL, BREAKING MY NOSE AND CUTTING MY LIP…
I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET MY CAR'S AIRBAG RECALL DONE AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THIS IS PROBABLY THE 4-6TH TIME I TOOK IT AND WAS EXTREMELY PATIENT WITH THEM GETTING IT TO BE REPAIRED. I CONTINUE TO GET THESE LETTERS IN THE MAIL THAT MY CAR STILL HAS A SAFETY RECAL…
HAD HIGHLAND TOYOTA REPLACE THE AIRBAGS UNDER THE TAKATA RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON PRIOR TO THIS REPAIR BUT AFTER THE REPAIR THEY HAD NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE SRS WARNING LIGHT TO GO OUT. TOLD ME THEY HAD RESET IT AND TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF IT WILL GO OUT ON ITS OW…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER LOST MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO (ANDY MOHR TOYOTA 8941 E US HWY 36, AVON, IN 46123 (317) 713-8181) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SEND…
THE REAR AXLE BROKE AT THE WELD. DRIVING UNDER NORMAL SPPED AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, I NOTICED A STRANGE RUBBING SOULD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AFTER I GOT HOME I NOTICED THE CLEARANCE ON REAR WHEEL AT TOP WAS MUCH LESS THEN OTHER SIDE, AFTER TAKING TO SHOP I WAS THEN I…
IN THE PAST 8-9 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 2 SETS ( OF 4) TIRE SENSORS REPLACED. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL FIRST BLINK THEN DISPLAY A SOLID BLUE LINE. THE FIRST AND SECOND TIME THE SENSORS SHOWED THEY WERE NOT CONNECTING TO THE TIRES. TODAY THE LIGHT BLINKED, THEN WE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN CAUSING THE CONTACT TO T-BONE THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION…
I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN LONGVIEW WASHINGTON AND PRETTY MUCH THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO REPLACE BOTH AIRBAGS AND THEY ONLY REPLACE ONE AND THEN SAID THAT OH WE DON'T KNOW WHY THE AIRBAG LIGHTS NOT GOING OFF WHEN I DO BELIEVE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDS TO BE REPL…
BOUGHT CAR WITH 99K MILES. NOTED A CLUNK IN SUSPENSION. DECIDED TO FIX BY PROCESS OF ELIMINATION. TURNED OUT IT WAS A BROKEN BOLT THAT HOLDS THE CONTROL ARM INSIDE THE SUBFRAME WHICH IS NOT ACCESSIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR. STEERING WAS VERY OFF AND THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE TH…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WAS LEANING DUE TO A FRACTURED REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2008 Toyota Yaris.
Recalls for 2008 Toyota Yaris
10 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Yaris. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2008 Toyota Yaris — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Toyota Yaris reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2008 Toyota Yaris has 218 NHTSA owner complaints, 51 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (107 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Yaris?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (107 complaints). #2: Brake System (36 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (20 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Toyota Yaris?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2008 Toyota Yaris?▾
The 2008 Toyota Yaris has 51 crash-related complaints and 1 fire reports out of 218 total NHTSA complaints. 57 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2008 Toyota Yaris have any recalls?▾
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2008 Toyota Yaris. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 Toyota Yaris?▾
The 2008 Toyota Yaris has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Yaris reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2008 Toyota Yaris
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.