What year Toyota Yaris should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2012, and 2015 Toyota Yaris. These years have Complaint Index scores of 100, 80, and 90, the highest in the model's 2010-2020 range, mostly tied to airbag problems.

Which Toyota Yaris year is the best?

The 2020 Toyota Yaris is rated Best, with the lowest Complaint Index (10) among all covered years and only 9 total complaints.

What is the most common problem with the Toyota Yaris?

Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 100 of 235 total complaints (43%), followed by engine issues at 19% and electrical system issues at 14%.

Does the Toyota Yaris have airbag recalls?

Yes. Multiple recall campaigns target airbag inflators and wire harnesses across the 2010, 2012, and 2015-2017 Yaris, including campaigns 19V741000, 18V025000, 17V006000, and 19V319000.

Is the 2012 Toyota Yaris reliable?

The 2012 Yaris is a Caution/Avoid-range year based on NHTSA data, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 51% of its 35 complaints tied to airbags, including a reported death.

Toyota Yaris Best and Worst Years (2010–2020)

Avoid the 2010, 2012, and 2015 Toyota Yaris, which have the highest Complaint Index scores (100, 80, and 90) and are dominated by airbag complaints. The 2020 Yaris has the lowest Complaint Index (10) and is rated Best.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2012 Avoid 2015 Best 2020

Model years: 11; 2010–2020
NHTSA complaints: 235
Recall campaigns: 20
Crashes reported: 48
Fires reported: 5
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.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Toyota Yaris problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	89	12	2	9	Airbags	31.5	—
2011	Caution	70	25	3	1	3	Airbags	31	—
2012	Avoid	80	35	12	1	5	Airbags	32	4★
2013	Caution	50	9	3	0	1	Airbags	32.5	4★
2014	No verdict	0	3	1	0	1	Electrical System	32.5	4★
2015	Avoid	90	15	9	0	4	Airbags	32.5	4★
2016	Good	30	5	2	0	2	Airbags	32.5	4★
2017	Good	40	15	3	0	3	Engine	33.5	4★
2018	No verdict	20	4	2	0	1	Airbags	33.5	—
2019	Caution	60	26	1	1	3	Engine	34	—
2020	Best	10	9	0	0	1	Engine	34.5	5★

Yaris years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Toyota Yaris Index 100 · 89 complaints · 9 recalls

The 2010 Yaris has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any year, with 89 total complaints. Airbags account for 51% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 32,000 miles. Owners report crashes where airbags failed to deploy, including rear-end and frontal collisions with injuries. NHTSA logged 12 crashes, 2 fires, and 13 injuries for this year. Nine recall campaigns apply, including multiple airbag inflator recalls covering 2010-2012 Yaris models.

2010 airbags problems →

2015 Toyota Yaris Index 90 · 15 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2015 Yaris has a Complaint Index of 90 despite fewer complaints (15) than 2010 or 2012, driven by severe outcomes: 9 crashes, 10 injuries, and 5 deaths. Airbags make up 33% of complaints at a median mileage of 50,223, and brakes and engine issues each account for 27%, with median mileage of 27,625. Four recalls apply, covering airbag wire harness corrosion, front strut mounting bearings, and headliner replacement.

2012 Toyota Yaris Index 80 · 35 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2012 Yaris carries a Complaint Index of 80 with 35 total complaints, 51% involving airbags at a median mileage of 84,000. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in low-speed crashes, resulting in broken bones and other injuries. NHTSA recorded 12 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 death for this year. Five recall campaigns cover this model year, including three separate airbag inflator recalls issued between 2017 and 2019.

2012 airbags problems →

Most common Toyota Yaris problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags100 (43%)
Engine44 (19%)
Electrical System32 (14%)
Structure & Body25 (11%)
Brakes22 (9%)
Other20 (9%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (8%)
Fuel System16 (7%)
Steering14 (6%)
Visibility & Wipers13 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Toyota Yaris should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2012, and 2015 Toyota Yaris. These years have Complaint Index scores of 100, 80, and 90, the highest in the model's 2010-2020 range, mostly tied to airbag problems.
Which Toyota Yaris year is the best?: The 2020 Toyota Yaris is rated Best, with the lowest Complaint Index (10) among all covered years and only 9 total complaints.
What is the most common problem with the Toyota Yaris?: Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 100 of 235 total complaints (43%), followed by engine issues at 19% and electrical system issues at 14%.
Does the Toyota Yaris have airbag recalls?: Yes. Multiple recall campaigns target airbag inflators and wire harnesses across the 2010, 2012, and 2015-2017 Yaris, including campaigns 19V741000, 18V025000, 17V006000, and 19V319000.
Is the 2012 Toyota Yaris reliable?: The 2012 Yaris is a Caution/Avoid-range year based on NHTSA data, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 51% of its 35 complaints tied to airbags, including a reported death.