Toyota Yaris Best and Worst Years (2006–2020)
Toyota Yaris model years 2007 through 2010 are the ones to avoid, led by 2008 with a complaint index of 100 and 51 crashes. The 2020 Yaris is the top pick with an index of just 14 and zero crashes reported.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 15
- 2006–2020
- NHTSA complaints
- 809
- Recall campaigns
- 23
- Crashes reported
- 159
- Fires reported
- 15
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Yaris Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Toyota Yaris problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Good | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 93 | 258 | 36 | 6 | 10 | Airbags | 31.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 100 | 218 | 51 | 1 | 10 | Airbags | 31.5 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 86 | 92 | 21 | 2 | 10 | Airbags | 31.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 79 | 90 | 12 | 2 | 9 | Airbags | 31.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 57 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 31 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 64 | 35 | 12 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | 32 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 36 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 32.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | No verdict | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 32.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 71 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 32.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 29 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 32.5 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 43 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 33.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | No verdict | 21 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 33.5 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 50 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 34 | — |
| 2020 | Best | 14 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 34.5 | 5★ |
Yaris years to avoid: what went wrong
2008 Toyota Yaris Index 100 · 218 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2008 Yaris is the worst year in the lineup, with the highest complaint index (100) and the most crashes (51) among Yaris years, including 2 deaths. Airbags make up 49% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 65,000, and owners frequently report airbags not deploying during front and rear-end collisions. Brakes (17%) and engine (15%) issues follow. Ten recall campaigns apply to this year, largely for airbag inflator replacement. Engine-related complaints describe unexpected acceleration or stalling incidents.
2008 airbags problems →2008 brakes problems →2008 engine problems →
2007 Toyota Yaris Index 93 · 258 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2007 Yaris ranks second-worst overall with a complaint index of 93 out of 809 total complaints across the model. Airbags dominate at 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage around 95,550 miles, followed by brakes (16%) and engine issues (11%). Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including collisions after loss of control on wet or icy roads. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns tied to this year, mostly covering airbag inflator replacements. Crashes tied to the year total 36, with 47 injuries reported.
2007 airbags problems →2007 brakes problems →2007 engine problems →
2009 Toyota Yaris Index 86 · 92 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2009 Yaris carries a complaint index of 86, the third-worst year. Airbags account for 48% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 47,000, with owners reporting non-deployment during crashes at highway speeds. Structure & body complaints (18%) and engine issues (15%) also appear, including reports of unintended acceleration. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this year, again focused on airbag inflators. Crashes total 21 with 15 injuries reported.
2010 Toyota Yaris Index 79 · 90 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2010 Yaris has a complaint index of 79, still elevated but lower than the prior three years. Airbags represent 50% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 32,000, with owners describing airbags failing to deploy and seat belts failing during crashes. Structure & body (12%) and engine (11%) issues follow, including reports of sudden surging and stuck accelerator pedals. Nine recall campaigns cover this year, including a dedicated 2010-2012 passenger airbag inflator replacement campaign.
Most common Toyota Yaris problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags367 (45%)
- Engine120 (15%)
- Brakes113 (14%)
- Structure & Body90 (11%)
- Electrical System79 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires79 (10%)
- Other39 (5%)
- Steering39 (5%)
- Fuel System36 (4%)
- Seat Belts36 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Toyota Yaris should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 as the years to avoid, with 2008 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 51 crashes reported.
- Which Toyota Yaris year is best?
- The 2020 Yaris earns the Best verdict with a complaint index of just 14, only 9 complaints, and zero crashes reported.
- Why is the 2008 Yaris rated so poorly?
- It has the highest complaint index (100) among all Yaris years, 51 crashes, 2 deaths, and 10 recall campaigns, with airbags making up 49% of its complaints.
- Are Yaris airbag problems common across many years?
- Yes, airbags are the top problem area overall, accounting for 45% of all 809 complaints across the 2006-2020 Yaris, with the 2007-2010 years most affected.
- Is the 2006 Yaris reliable despite a Good verdict?
- The 2006 Yaris carries a Good verdict but it is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete, so its low complaint index of 7 may not tell the full story.