RoadVitals

2012 Toyota Yaris Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
35
Latest May 13, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Yaris, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1840.9%
  • Body & structure511.4%
  • Other / unspecified49.1%
  • Driver assistance49.1%
  • Electrical49.1%
  • Visibility24.5%
  • Brakes24.5%
  • Interior & seats12.3%
  • Seat belts12.3%
  • Suspension12.3%
  • Tires & wheels12.3%
  • Engine12.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving a 2012 yaris when I was in an accident that totaled the vehicles. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks which I believe the airbags had played a major role in the seriousness of the injuries I sustained but not sure how to prove that they failed to protect me and possible they made things worse with the scar across my forehead from being sliced open needing numerous staples as well as shattered pelvis. Is there any way by looking at the pictures can you tell me if the air bags did their job

NHTSA ID 11463081 · filed May 2, 2022

ON MY WAY HOME, A 70'S TRUCK HIT MY LEFT SIDE, THE AIRBAG CAME OUT BLIND ME AND MADE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICULE. IS A MIRACLE THAT IM ALIVE. HAPPENED AT PR132 KM0.4 GUAYANILLA PR 00656.

NHTSA ID 11337592 · filed Jul 6, 2020
All 18 reports naming airbags

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ON MY WAY HOME, A 70'S TRUCK HIT MY LEFT SIDE, THE AIRBAG CAME OUT BLIND ME AND MADE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICULE. IS A MIRACLE THAT IM ALIVE. HAPPENED AT PR132 KM0.4 GUAYANILLA PR 00656.

NHTSA ID 11337592 · filed Jul 6, 2020

2012 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES TO RECOMMEND RECALLING VEHICLE MODEL BECAUSE OF ITS MANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID 11175472 · filed Feb 22, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ON MY WAY HOME, A 70'S TRUCK HIT MY LEFT SIDE, THE AIRBAG CAME OUT BLIND ME AND MADE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICULE. IS A MIRACLE THAT IM ALIVE. HAPPENED AT PR132 KM0.4 GUAYANILLA PR 00656.

NHTSA ID 11337592 · filed Jul 6, 2020

DRIVING DOWN HWY 94....WITH 4 CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A MASSIVE CHUNK OF SOME TYPE OF HARD DEBRIS....THE CAR THUMPED SO HARD AND SCARED US ALL.!!!! WE CONTINUED ON TO CHURCH AT ASSUMPTION IN ST PAUL AFTERWARDS WE DROVE OFF TO LEAVE AND FELT THE CAR FLAPPING...WE HAD TO PULL OVER IN A TURN LANE DOWNTOWN ST PAUL GOT OUT AND SAW WE HAD A FLAT TIRE...AFTER A LOT OF WORK AND TIME...WAITING AND GETTING HELP WHEN WE GOT THE TIRE OFF THE RIM WAS BENT!!! THE SMALL SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ON...I HAD TO HAVE THE RIM REPLACED WHICH HAD TO BE PUT ON ORDER AND THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED THAT WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS AGO THAT I GOT IT!! I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND RIM..THEY DO NOT FIT IN THE FILE HERE.

NHTSA ID 11156704 · filed Dec 7, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SALUDOS CUANDO ME DETENGO LAS REVOLUCIONES BAJAN MUCHOS EL CARRO EMPIEZA A TEMBLAR Y HACE COMO PARA APAGARSE

NHTSA ID 11316908 · filed Mar 8, 2020

2012 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES TO RECOMMEND RECALLING VEHICLE MODEL BECAUSE OF ITS MANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID 11175472 · filed Feb 22, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND HAD TO BRAKE FOR SLOWER TRAFFIC AHEAD. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED, BRAKING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, THEN THE RIGHT ALMOST SENDING ME OFF THE ROAD. AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED, THE SPEEDOMETER HAD STARTED JUMPING TO DIFFERENT SPEEDS VERY RAPIDLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO TELL MY CORRECT SPEED. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE CONTINUED TO ENGAGE RANDOMLY WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED, CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL AND THE OVERALL ABILITY TO COME TO A STOP. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO JUMPS AROUND EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE ABS LIGHT WAS ONLY TRIGGERED ONCE, AND THEN TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ID 11383549 · filed Dec 15, 2020

2012 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES TO RECOMMEND RECALLING VEHICLE MODEL BECAUSE OF ITS MANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID 11175472 · filed Feb 22, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR HATCH GLASS HAS BLOWN OUT TWICE WITH NO UNDERSTANDING HOW IT COULD OF HAPPENED BOTH TIMES WAS WITH THE VEHICLE IN A PARKED SITUATION NO PRESSURE ON THE GLASS THE SECOND TIME MY WIFE AND DOG WERE INSIDE THE CAR WAITING FOR ME IN THE AFTERNOON TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED IT WAS JUST PARKED NO ONE IN IT AND IT HAPPENED IN THE MORNING TIME AND JUST SHATTERED MY WIFE SAID WHEN IT BLEW IT WAS LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF THE SOUND WAS VERY LOUD THERE WAS NOTHING AGAINST THE GLASS IN EITHER INCIDENT THIS HAD COST ME 375.00 DOLLARS THE FIRST TIME AND I HAVEN'T REPLACED THE GLASS ON THE SECOND TIME COSTLY REPLACEMENT IS THERE ANY HISTORY OR REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING TO OTHER TOYOTA HATCHBACKS MINE IS THE 5 DOOR MODEL PLEASE ADVISE THE INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND THEY WERE 2 YEARS APART AND IT HAPPENED THE 2ND YEAR I OWNED IT STILL HAVE IT NOW.

NHTSA ID 11079924 · filed Mar 17, 2018

MAJOR WINDSHIELD GLARE. NOT SURE IF IT'S THE ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, THE BRUSHED-PLASTIC TYPE DASH THAT SEEMS HIGHLY REFLECTIVE, OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO... BUT WHEN SUNLIGHT HITS THE DASHBOARD, IT CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. DEPENDING ON THE ANGLE OF THE SUN, IT CAN BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH AND POSES A HIGH RISK AT ANYTHING IN A SHADED AREA (LIKE DRIVING FROM SUNNY ROAD THROUGH SHADED PATCH). THE GLARE IS NOTICEABLE IN LOW LIGHT AND AT NIGHT WHEN PASSING STREET LAMPS/TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ON A SCALE OF 1-10... THE NIGHT/LOW LIGHT VISIBILITY IS AROUND 1 OR 2 BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE SUN GLARING ON IT, IT'S MORE OF A 8-9. TEMPORARY SOLUTION WOULD MOST LIKELY BE A DASH MAT BUT MAYBE RE-DESIGN OR DIFFERENT MATERIAL USED WOULD BE BETTER SUGGESTION FOR THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10515391 · filed Jun 6, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND HAD TO BRAKE FOR SLOWER TRAFFIC AHEAD. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED, BRAKING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, THEN THE RIGHT ALMOST SENDING ME OFF THE ROAD. AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED, THE SPEEDOMETER HAD STARTED JUMPING TO DIFFERENT SPEEDS VERY RAPIDLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO TELL MY CORRECT SPEED. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE CONTINUED TO ENGAGE RANDOMLY WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED, CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL AND THE OVERALL ABILITY TO COME TO A STOP. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO JUMPS AROUND EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE ABS LIGHT WAS ONLY TRIGGERED ONCE, AND THEN TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ID 11383549 · filed Dec 15, 2020

BRAKES: LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE SHOE ADJUSTER BAR PART REPLACEMENT DOES NOT FIT ON BRAKE. DEALER AND PEP BOYS BOTH TRIED TO REPLACE IT AND THE PARTS DO NOT MATCH, A RIGHT SIDE ADJUSTER BAR HAD TO BE USED IN ITS PLACE. REPAIRS WERE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MONTHS FROM NOV 2016 TO SEPT 2017. SPEED SENSOR: I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN THE SPEED SENSOR STOPPED WORKING, THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I COULD NOT GET OVER OR CONTINUE DRIVING IT. HAD TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SPEED SENSOR REPLACED AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2015, MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75, 000 AT TIME.

NHTSA ID 11040648 · filed Oct 27, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MANUAL TRACK HAS BROKEN. I CANNOT ADJUST IT FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THERE IS A SPRING THAT FELL OFF UNDERNEATH. I PUT IT BACK CORRECTLY JUST AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO GO, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THE ENTIRE LATCHING MECHANISM HAS FAILED. MY 2007 YARIS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FOR THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CHASSIS FOR ALL MODEL YEAR YARIS' ARE THE SAME. I BELIEVE THE SEAT MECHANISMS WE'RE CONTINUED TO BE BUILT WITH A KNOWN ISSUE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES AND THIS SEAT IS BARELY USED.

NHTSA ID 11000729 · filed Jun 22, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Yaris The contact stated that while slowing down and coming to a stoplight, a second vehicle traveling 54 mph crashed into the rear of the vehicle. During the crash, both the driver-side and passenger-side seat belts malfunctioned and did not secure the occupants. The driver sustained head and torso injuries and the front passenger who was the driver's wife sustained broken ribs, and head and spine injuries. Medical attention was received. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,200.

NHTSA ID 11464461 · filed May 13, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2012 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES TO RECOMMEND RECALLING VEHICLE MODEL BECAUSE OF ITS MANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID 11175472 · filed Feb 22, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK AT DELIVERY, DEALER HAS HAD MANY EXCUSES NOT TO REPAIR. THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10546453 · filed Oct 1, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1809260488. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID 11131695 · filed Sep 26, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .