2009 Toyota Yaris Problems
Shopping for a used 2009 Toyota Yaris? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 103 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2009 Toyota Yaris has 103 NHTSA complaints β top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview Β· Full report from $12.95.
2009 Toyota Yaris Fuel Economy
β EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2009 Toyota Yaris trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2009 Toyota Yaris Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2009 Toyota Yaris has 103 owner complaints, 25 crash-related complaints, and 10 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Yaris
- Model year
- 2009
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 103
- Crash-related complaints
- 25
- Safety recall campaigns
- 10
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 32
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 29 / 36
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2009 Toyota Yaris problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Unintended Acceleration
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Unintended Acceleration, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2009 Toyota Yaris?
The 2009 Toyota Yaris shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2009 Toyota Yaris
Inspection Focus
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for airbag systems.
- Request service records for airbag, acceleration, and brake components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported issues.
- Check for any NHTSA investigations or technical service bulletins related to the 2009 Yaris.
Before You Close the Deal
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for airbag systems.
- Request service records for airbag, acceleration, and brake components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported issues.
- Check for any NHTSA investigations or technical service bulletins related to the 2009 Yaris.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2009 Toyota Yaris, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 103 complaints for the 2009 Toyota Yaris, the data suggests potential issues with airbag malfunctions, unintended acceleration, and brake system problems. However, the confidence level is low, and these patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
- Airbag Malfunctions account for the highest number of complaints among all components.
- Unintended Acceleration and Brake System issues are also frequently reported.
- The data covers only one model year (2009), limiting year-over-year comparisons.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Unintended Acceleration
- Brake System
Full breakdown
All 2009 Toyota Yaris complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Yaris. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 48 | 18 | β | β | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 13 | 4 | β | β | |
| Brake System | 12 | 4 | β | β | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | 1 | 2 | β | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 11 | β | β | β | |
| Structural Problems | 8 | 3 | β | β | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | 1 | β | β | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | 1 | β | β | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | β | β | β | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 5 | 1 | β | β | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | 2 | β | β | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | β | β | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | β | β | β | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | β | 1 | β | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Fuel System | 2 | 1 | β | β | |
| Other | 2 | 1 | β | β | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | β | 1 | β | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Electric | 1 | 1 | β | β | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | 1 | β | β | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | β | β | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | β | β | β |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Yaris. Type a keyword (e.g. βtransmissionβ, βstallingβ, βbrakesβ) to filter.
See attached document for complaint.
SO FAR THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A NOISE
I have been waiting since 8/26/2022 for the part to correct the recall
Vehicle was rear-ended on November 4, 2022. The driver was wearing a seatbelt but the driver airbag did not deploy after being rear-ended. After the accident, the dashboard airbag indicator warning light turned on. The vehicle did not show any airbag issues or warnings prior to tβ¦
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the driver's side front door. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an appointment for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnoseβ¦
I HIT A SNOW BANK LEFT BEHIND BY A SNOWPLOW GOING 50 MPH AND AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WAS ON A HIGHWAY, IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
I AM LOCATED IN STRASSEN, LUXEMBOURG (EUROPE) AND TAKE MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (TOYOTA, 6 ZAI BOURMICHT, L8070 BERTRANGE) HERE FOR SERVICE. I AM RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES DECEMBER 2020 AND REQUIRE ALL RECALL ISSUES TO BE ADDRESS PRIOR TO EXIT INSPECTION. UPON REQUEβ¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AXLE FRACTURED MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR Tβ¦
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION INTO A UTILITY POLE ON A TWO LANE ROADWAY. I WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS IN MY CAR. I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF THE COLLISION ITSELF BUT NO OTHER CAR WAS FOUND TO BE INVOLVED. THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE MOST DAMAGE. I HAD MY SEATβ¦
THE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING WELL AND ALSO THE TYRE SENSOR IS SHOWING ON THE SCREEN WHILES TYRE PRESSURE ARE IN GOOD CONDITIONS
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT GOING 55 MPH IN THE PROCESS MY CAR CLIPPED A CURB AND IT SNAPPED MY AXEL CAUSING THE CAR TO GO HEAD ON INTO AN OBJECT ACROSS THE ROAD MY CAR ALSO FLIPPED NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
I WAS TRAVELING ON HWY 58 TURNING ONTO HWY99 . CONSTRUCTION HAD IT DOWN TO 1 LANE. WAS GOING APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN MY FRONT DRIVERSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, SENT CAR IN TO A RIGHT TURNING MOTION IN TO CEMENT DIVIDERS. AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT AIR UP. AIRBAG CAME OUT LIKE TUBE RIGHT INβ¦
I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE PROPERLY IF I HAPPENED TO BE BREAKING OVER AN UNEVEN SERVICE YEARS AGO. SO, I DRIVE TO AVOID HAVING TO DO SO. BUT, THEN RECENTLY IT STARTED MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE ALONG WITH BREAKING. IT COMES AND GOES. THEN, A CLUNKING NOISE STARTED WHEN Rβ¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD AN ALIGNMENT PERFORMED, AND THE RIMS AND TIRES CHANGED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED BYRIDER DARTMOUTH (331 STATE RD, DAβ¦
INITIALLY THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE RECALL ITEM(S) IN STOCK. EVENTUALLY THE DEALER RECEIVED PARTIAL PARTS AND OTHER PART WAS BACKORDERED. FINALLY, I WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE IN TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL WORK. THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, HOWEVER, AS SOON AS I RETURNED HOβ¦
TAKATA RECALL. ON JANUARY 12,2018 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. A VEHICLE CUT ME OFF AND I HYDROPLANED WHEN BRAKING. THERE WERE MASSIVE STORMS OCCURRING. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I SLAMMED VERY HARD INTO THE MEDIAN RESULTING IN SOME LINGERING BACK SORENESSβ¦
TAKATA RECALL. CRASHED MY YARIS GOING APPROX. 30 MPH. I BROKE A BONE IN MY ARM WHEN IT HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE
WE ARE A SMALL NONPROFIT THAT RECEIVES CAR DONATIONS AND REFURBISHES THEM FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. WE RECEIVED THIS 2009 TOYOTA YARIS AS A DONATION WITH ABOUT 173K MILES ON IT. WHEN WE RECEIVED IT WE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEATBACK WAS TORN IN TWO VERTICALβ¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DCH TOYOTA OF OXNARD β¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE AROUND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME OUT TO INSPECTβ¦
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Toyota Yaris.
Safety recalls
2009 Toyota Yaris recalls
10 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Toyota Yaris. 10 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SEATS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2009 Toyota Yaris buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2009 Toyota Yaris reliable?βΎ
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 103 owner complaints, 25 crash-related complaints, and 10 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2009 Toyota Yaris shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Yaris?βΎ
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (48 complaints). #2: Unintended Acceleration (13 complaints). #3: Brake System (12 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Toyota Yaris?βΎ
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Toyota Yaris?βΎ
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2009 Toyota Yaris, NHTSA complaints include 25 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 103 total complaints. 15 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Toyota Yaris have any recalls?βΎ
Yes. 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Toyota Yaris. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 10 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2009 Toyota Yaris?βΎ
The 2009 Toyota Yaris shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
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.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2009 Toyota Yaris based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.