2016 Toyota Yaris Problems

Severe Issues

Shopping for a used 2016 Toyota Yaris? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 5 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Brake System the most reported area.

201513 years2017

Before you buy

This 2016 Toyota Yaris has 5 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Brake System.

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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5
Complaints
2
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Injuries
—
Fatalities
2
Recalls

2016 Toyota Yaris Fuel Economy

✓ EPA Official Data

EPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2016 Toyota Yaris trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.

30
MPG City
30–30 range
36
MPG Hwy
35–36 range
33
MPG Combined
32–33 range
271
g CO₂/mile
Regular Gasoline
💰Saves $1,500 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.

2016 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

4/5

13.6% rollover risk

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5

13.6% probability

✓Stability Control: Standard○Forward Collision Warning: No○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 2016 Toyota Yaris has 5 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Brake System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.

2016 Toyota Yaris — key reliability facts
Make
Toyota
Model
Yaris
Model year
2016
NHTSA owner complaints
5
Crash-related complaints
2
Safety recall campaigns
2
Top reported component
Brake System
Reliability signal
Severe Issues
EPA MPG combined
33
EPA MPG city / highway
30 / 36
Fuel type
Regular Gasoline
NHTSA overall safety rating
4/5 stars
NHTSA frontal crash rating
4/5 stars
NHTSA side crash rating
5/5 stars
NHTSA rollover rating
4/5 stars
Electronic stability control
Standard
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Common problems

Most common 2016 Toyota Yaris problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
2
complaints

Brake System

Crash-related:1
Injuries:2
#2
2
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

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

Structural Problems

Crash-related:1
Injuries:2

Complaint patterns center on Brake System, Airbag Malfunctions, Structural Problems. 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 2016 Toyota Yaris?

The 2016 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 2016 Toyota Yaris

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect brake system for any signs of malfunction.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for airbag and structural repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.

Before You Close the Deal

  • Inspect brake system for any signs of malfunction.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for airbag and structural repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.

Check the exact car

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2016 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

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

Based on 5 NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Toyota Yaris, issues are concentrated in the brake system, airbag malfunctions, and structural problems. Two crash-related complaints were reported, but the low sample size limits confidence in broader trends.

Key Findings
  • Brake system, airbag, and structural issues each account for 2 complaints.
  • Unintended acceleration and electrical faults each have 1 complaint.
  • Two recalls exist for this model year, but their relation to complaints is not specified.
Top Concerns
  • Brake System
  • Airbag Malfunctions
  • Structural Problems
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. Only 5 complaints for a single model year provide very low statistical confidence. Crash-related complaints may overlap with other reported components.

Full breakdown

All 2016 Toyota Yaris complaints by category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Toyota Yaris. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Brake System21——
Airbag Malfunctions22——
Structural Problems21——
Unintended Acceleration1———
Electrical Faults1———

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 2016 Toyota Yaris. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Showing 5 most recent complaints

Unintended AccelerationSep 8, 2021

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 C…

Airbag Malfunctions CrashJun 19, 2019

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 …

Structural ProblemsSep 9, 2018

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 …

Electrical FaultsSep 3, 2018

THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT AND MY YARIS HAS LESS THAN 37,000 MILES.

Airbag Malfunctions CrashOct 3, 2016

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 CON…

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Toyota Yaris.

Safety recalls

2016 Toyota Yaris recalls

2 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota Yaris. 2 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:SIDE/WINDOW

#19V319000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW23/04/2019
Safety recall

TIRES

#16V236000TIRES22/04/2016

Across model years

Compare Toyota Yaris model years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2016 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

2020201920182017201620152013201220112010200920082007

Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

All Toyota reliability statsSafest car brandsBest value carsMost accident-prone carsVIN check by stateAll vehicle stats

Questions

2016 Toyota Yaris buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2016 Toyota Yaris reliable?▾

Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 5 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2016 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 2016 Toyota Yaris?▾

#1: Brake System (2 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (2 complaints). #3: Structural Problems (2 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Toyota Yaris?▾

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

How safe is the 2016 Toyota Yaris?▾

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2016 Toyota Yaris, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 5 total complaints. 3 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2016 Toyota Yaris have any recalls?▾

Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Toyota Yaris. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. 2 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 2016 Toyota Yaris?▾

The 2016 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 Brake System 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 2016 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.