2009 Toyota Yaris Problems

Severe Issues

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.

200813 years2010

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.

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103
Complaints
25
Crashes
2
Fires
15
Injuries
β€”
Fatalities
10
Recalls

2009 Toyota Yaris Fuel Economy

βœ“ EPA Official Data

EPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2009 Toyota Yaris trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.

29
MPG City
29–29 range
36
MPG Hwy
35–36 range
32
MPG Combined
31–32 range
278
g COβ‚‚/mile
Regular Gasoline
πŸ’°Saves $1,250 vs. avg vehicle over 5 years

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 Program

Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.

Overall

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated
β—‹Stability Control: Noβ—‹Forward Collision Warning: Noβ—‹Lane Departure Warning: No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.

Quick Answer

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.

2009 Toyota Yaris β€” key reliability facts
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.

#1
48
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:18
Injuries:13
#2
13
complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Crash-related:4
Injuries:2
#3
12
complaints

Brake System

Crash-related:4
Injuries:1

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.

Key Findings
  • 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.
Top Concerns
  • Airbag Malfunctions
  • Unintended Acceleration
  • Brake System
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. The low confidence level indicates the data may not be representative of all vehicles. Only one model year is analyzed, limiting trend analysis.

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.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Airbag Malfunctions4818β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration134β€”β€”
Brake System124β€”β€”
Electrical Faults1212β€”
Seat-Related Issues11β€”β€”β€”
Structural Problems83β€”β€”
Suspension Failures71β€”β€”
Engine Problems51β€”β€”
Steering Defects5β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues51β€”β€”
Wheel Issues42β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain41β€”β€”
Hydraulic3β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System2β€”1β€”
Visibility/Wiper2β€”β€”β€”
Fuel System21β€”β€”
Other21β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues1β€”1β€”
Door Lock Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Electric11β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)11β€”β€”
Traction Control System11β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures1β€”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. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

Showing 103 most recent complaints

Tire IssuesFeb 3, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

Airbag MalfunctionsNov 18, 2024

SO FAR THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A NOISE

Airbag MalfunctionsApr 25, 2023

I have been waiting since 8/26/2022 for the part to correct the recall

Airbag Malfunctions CrashNov 30, 2022

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 t…

Structural ProblemsJun 2, 2022

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 diagnose…

Airbag Malfunctions CrashFeb 26, 2021

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.

Airbag MalfunctionsNov 23, 2020

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 REQUE…

Suspension FailuresJun 18, 2020

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 T…

Steering DefectsMay 13, 2020

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 SEAT…

Airbag MalfunctionsMar 10, 2020

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

Suspension Failures CrashDec 18, 2019

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.

Airbag Malfunctions CrashNov 28, 2019

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 IN…

Steering DefectsNov 21, 2019

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 R…

Suspension FailuresAug 12, 2019

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, DA…

Airbag MalfunctionsSep 9, 2018

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 HO…

Airbag Malfunctions CrashAug 14, 2018

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 SORENESS…

Airbag Malfunctions CrashJul 14, 2018

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

Seat-Related IssuesJun 15, 2018

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 VERTICAL…

Electrical FaultsApr 18, 2018

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 …

Electrical Faults FireMar 28, 2018

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 INSPECT…

Page 1 of 6

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Toyota Yaris.

Safety recalls

2009 Toyota Yaris recalls

10 campaigns

NHTSA 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.

Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#19V741000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE17/10/2019
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#17V006000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULESep 1, 2017
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#18V024000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULESep 1, 2018
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#16V340000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE23/05/2016
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#14V168000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULESep 4, 2014
Safety recall

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

#15V689000VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS22/10/2015
Safety recall

SEATS

#14V169000SEATSSep 4, 2014
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#10V036000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSMar 2, 2010
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#10V035000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSMar 2, 2010
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#09V223000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS15/06/2009

Across model years

Compare Toyota Yaris model years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2009 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

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?β–Ύ

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?β–Ύ

#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?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2009 Toyota Yaris?β–Ύ

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?β–Ύ

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?β–Ύ

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.