YearToAvoid

2010 Toyota Yaris Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2010 Toyota Yaris has a Complaint Index of 79, ranking 4th worst of 15 model years, with an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for half of all complaints (45 of 90), with 9 recalls filed, most tied to airbag inflators and non-deployment.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
79/100
#4 of 15 Yaris years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
90
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
9
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
12
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
13
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
31.5
29 city / 35.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0

Top 2010 Toyota Yaris problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags45 (50%)
  2. Structure & Body11 (12%)
  3. Engine10 (11%)
  4. Electrical System9 (10%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers9 (10%)
  6. Brakes6 (7%)
  7. Steering6 (7%)
  8. Other5 (6%)
  9. Fuel System4 (4%)
  10. Seat Belts4 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in moderate to severe crashes, leading to head, neck, chest, and other injuries.
  • Owners report the engine racing or accelerator sticking even after the vehicle is shifted into park.
  • Sudden unintended forward surges at low speed have been linked to crashes.
  • Vehicles have rolled away in reverse from a stop or driveway despite being placed in park.
  • A burning odor and an electric shock sensation at the door were reported along with the HVAC system.
  • Seatbelts reportedly failed to tighten properly during frontal impacts, alongside non-deploying airbags.
2010 Toyota Yaris complaints: complaints filed per quarter102009 Q42011 Q12013 Q22015 Q22016 Q32018 Q12020 Q1
90 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q4 to 2024 Q4; peak 2016 Q3 (10).

2010 Toyota Yaris recalls

9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

  2. NHTSA 18V024000Jan 9, 2018Airbags628,018 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

  3. NHTSA 18V025000Jan 9, 2018Airbags116,126 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. As of January 30, 2018, Toyota is additionally recalling 3,347 model year 2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles located in states listed above. Also included in this recall filing is 98,194 model year 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles, located throughout the U.S., that previously received a “like-for-like” interim air bag inflator replacement. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0R (Zone B), and H0A (Zone C), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A).

See all 9 recalls for the 2010 Toyota Yaris →

2010 Toyota Yaris fuel economy and fuel cost

City
29 MPG
Highway
35.5 MPG
Combined
31.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,075
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Yaris years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Avoid1002181031.5
2009Avoid86921031.5
2010Avoid7990931.5
2011Caution5725331
2012Caution6435532

All Toyota Yaris years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Toyota Yaris reliable?
Compared with other Yaris model years, the 2010 ranks 4th worst out of 15 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 79 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Toyota Yaris?
Airbags are the top complaint area, making up 45 of 90 complaints (50%), mostly involving non-deployment in crashes, with a median failure mileage of 32,000.
Does the 2010 Toyota Yaris have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2010 Yaris, most involving airbag inflators and components, plus one covering a seat rail issue and one for tire label compliance.
How does the 2010 Yaris compare to other years?
The 2010 Yaris (index 79) is less complaint-heavy than 2008 (index 100) and 2007 (index 93), but worse than 2011 (57), 2013 (36), and 2020, which earns a Best verdict with an index of 14.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.