Toyota Yaris Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Yaris model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2014 drew the fewest (3) and the 2007 the most (296).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 32–33 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 1 | Air bags | — | 32–35 |
| 2006 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 5 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2016 | 5 | 2 | Air bags | 4★ | 32–33 |
| 2013 | 9 | 1 | Air bags | 4★ | 32–33 |
| 2020 | 9 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 34–35 |
| 2015 | 15 | 4 | Air bags | 4★ | 32–33 |
| 2017 | 15 | 3 | Air bags | 4★ | 32–35 |
| 2011 | 25 | 3 | Air bags | — | 31 |
| 2019 | 26 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 32–35 |
| 2012 | 35 | 5 | Air bags | 4★ | 31–33 |
| 2010 | 90 | 9 | Air bags | — | 31–32 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
103 | 10 | Air bags | — | 31–32 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
247 | 10 | Air bags | — | 31–32 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
296 | 10 | Air bags | — | 31–32 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Yaris years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Toyota Yaris: 296 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 132 (45%); Service brakes 40 (14%); Suspension 24 (8%).
Reports mention 41 crashes, 6 fires, 53 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Toyota Yaris: 247 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 124 (50%); Service brakes 37 (15%); Electrical system 21 (9%).
Reports mention 55 crashes, 2 fires, 58 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 57,000 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Toyota Yaris: 103 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 48 (47%); Vehicle speed control 13 (13%); Electrical system 12 (12%).
Reports mention 25 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 39,200 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota Yaris years with the fewest complaints
2014 Toyota Yaris: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (33%); Structure 1 (33%); Tires 1 (33%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 1 recall campaign listed.
2018 Toyota Yaris: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (50%); Exterior lighting 1 (25%); Seat belts 1 (25%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2006 Toyota Yaris: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 4 (80%); Service brakes 3 (60%); Steering 1 (20%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury. 5 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Yaris owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13,833 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18,700 |
| 2016 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 5 | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 35 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 68,000 |
| 2011 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 90 | 12 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 31,532 |
| 2009 | 103 | 25 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 39,200 |
| 2008 | 247 | 55 | 2 | 58 | 2 | 57,000 |
| 2007 | 296 | 41 | 6 | 53 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2006 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Toyota Yaris recalls
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2007–2008 model years; 2,519,424 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2012; 12V491000)
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2006–2010 model years; 1,814,284 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V689000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2006–2011 model years; 1,754,517 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V340000)
- Driver's Air Bag may not Deploy (2006–2010 model years; 1,486,413 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V168000)
- Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode (2007–2012 model years; 928,220 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2019; 19V741000)
All 23 Toyota Yaris recall campaigns · Toyota Yaris problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Toyota Yaris years FAQ
Which Toyota Yaris year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2014 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (3). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Toyota Yaris years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2008 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Toyota Yaris problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (408 of 887 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Yaris have?
NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Yaris. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Yaris recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.