Toyota Yaris years to avoid (and the best years)
206 NHTSA owner complaints and 19 recalls across 6 model years, 2010 to 2019. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 206complaints
- 19recalls
- 40reported crashes
- 5reported fires
- 45reported injuries
- 6reported deaths
Which Toyota Yaris years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Toyota Yaris year to avoid is 2015. The typical Toyota Yaris year has 26 complaints on file.
- 2015: 15 complaints, including 5 reports of a death. Most complaints name the airbags (33% of complaints) and the speed control (20% of complaints).
What are the best Toyota Yaris years?
The Toyota Yaris years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2017 (15), 2011 (25) and 2019 (26). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 26 | 1.0× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 15 | 0.6× | 3 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2015 | 15 | 0.6× | 4 | 9 | 10 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2012 | 35 | 1.4× | 5 | 12 | 11 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2011 | 25 | 1.0× | 3 | 3 | 8 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 90 | 3.5× | 9 | 12 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 116 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts62 (53%)
- Engine & powertrain13 (11%)
- Other systems11 (9%)
- Structure & body10 (9%)
- Steering, suspension & tires9 (8%)
Recalls (19)
Fuel system · 21V617000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2019
A fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V741000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 19V503000 · Jun 2019 · model years 2017, 2019
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V319000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2015, 2017
In the event of a crash, front seat side air bags and curtain shield air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V244000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V025000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V024000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Tires · 17V295000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V006000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Suspension · 16V367000 · May 2016 · model year 2015
A damaged strut mounting bearing may cause the strut rod to separate, causing a loss of vehicle stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V340000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Body & glass · 15V689000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2010
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Structure · 15V134000 · Mar 2015 · model years 2012, 2015
If the vehicles are equipped with a headliner that does not meet the impact requirements, there is an increased risk of occupantl injury in the event of a crash.
Suspension · 15V098000 · Feb 2015 · model year 2015
The improperly tightened bolts may loosen during vehicle operation and may potentially cause the wheel to lock up or may damage the rear brake components, reducing their effectiveness. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 14V168000 · Apr 2014 · model year 2010
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Safety · 14V169000 · Apr 2014 · model year 2010
If the spring breaks, the seat may not lock in position. In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat could move increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Steering · 13V292000 · Jul 2013 · model year 2012
If the power steering assistance shuts off, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 10V036000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V035000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.