RoadVitals

2016 Toyota Yaris

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
5
Latest Sep 8, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 23, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
2
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Toyota Yaris, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 159 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags225.0%
  • Body & structure225.0%
  • Brakes225.0%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Apr 23, 2019
43,221 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Yaris vehicles. The wire harnesses for the side air bag sensors located within the front doors may crack and corrode, possibly causing the non-deployment or improper deployment of the front seat side air bags and the curtain shield air bags.
The risk: In the event of a crash, front seat side air bags and curtain shield air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wire harness assembly in the front doors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is K1F/K0F.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number K1F/K0FView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; TIRES

Apr 22, 2016
94 units potentially affected
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
The risk: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLCManufacturer number SET16AView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 8, 2021

MY ACELERATOR PEDAL IS SO SMALL AND I HAD ALMOST AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE DURING A TRIP MY FOOT GOT STUCK UNDERNEAT THE PEDAL, I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE AT TIME BUT IT WAS HARD TO CHANGE TO THE BRAKES CAUSE IT TOOK LIKE A SECOND TO REMOVE MY FOOT, ALSO SOMETIMES I NEED TO SPEED FASTER TO CHANGE A LANE TO AVOID A SUDDEN STOP AND MY FOOT JUST JUMP FROM THE PEDAL TO UNDERNEAT IT, THAT PEDAL IS A DANGER AND IS A PROBABLY CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. IS THE SIZE OF MAYBE A LITTLE LAPTOP MOUSE INSTEAD TO BE A FULL PEDAL GOING FROM THE FLOOR TO THE TOP.

NHTSA ID
11432091
Incident
Sep 1, 2021
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes
Filed Jun 19, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. ENTIRE SENSOR OF THE FRONT WERE TORN OFF AND STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY SISTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS DRIVING AND CRASHED AT 35MPH ON A CITY STREER AND CRASH INTO A STOP LIGHT AND SIGN BECAUSE SOMEONE TOOK A RED ON HER GREEN AND SHE SWERVED TO NOT HIT ANYONE.

NHTSA ID
11221353
Incident
Dec 3, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 9, 2018

I DROVE FROM RICHMOND CA TO LOS ANGELES ROUND TRIP. ON MY RETURN TRIP, I HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND WHEN I SAW MY PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR, IT LOOKED LIKE MY REAR BUMPER WAS GOING TO FALL. THE BUMPER WAS FLAPPING VIGOROUSLY. SOON AFTER, MY PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I STILL HAD 100 MILES TO GO ON MY TRIP. THE REAR BUMPER SEEMS POORLY DESIGNED AND NOT SECURE. I DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR ON LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. I'M A DISAPPOINTED BUYER.

NHTSA ID
11128373
Incident
Aug 6, 2018
Mileage
32,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 3, 2018

THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT AND MY YARIS HAS LESS THAN 37,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11124110
Incident
Aug 24, 2018
Mileage
36,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 3, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BECOMING DIZZY AND ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRACKED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID
10911216
Incident
Sep 19, 2016
Mileage
10,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

T-SB-0058-23 Rev1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

T-SB-0038-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

T-SB-0039-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

T-SB-0061-23 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Yaris by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2025000
2024000
2023000
2020910
2019263150.8
2018410
2017153052.4
2016Viewing520
2015154060.2
2014310
2013910
2012355166.3
2011253158.4
2010909161.1
20099210266.0
200821810368.0
200725810365.5
2006551
2005000
2004000
2003000
2002000
2001000

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.