Toyota Yaris Reliability and Common Problems

If you’re looking for a reliable small car with good fuel economy, the Toyota Yaris is a great option. It’s known for its practicality and low-cost maintenance. It also holds value quite well. According to CarEdge.com, it depreciates only 24% after five years, which is impressive compared to other cars in the same category.

Is the Toyota Yaris Reliable?

The Toyota Yaris is rated well in terms of reliability. It received a 4.5 out 5.0 rating and ranked first out of 21 other subcompact cars, according to RepairPal. Its economical appeal makes it a good car for first-time car owners who don’t want to spend too much on major repairs and maintenance. It can also last a long time. You can easily put 300,000 miles on your Yaris as long as you keep up with its regular maintenance and service schedule.

Top Toyota Yaris Problems

Despite being a low-cost and reliable car, some Toyota Yaris models are known to have their fair share of issues. Here are the most common problems you can encounter with your Yaris:

Speed Control Issues

The 2015 Toyota Yaris is known to be reliable compared to other model years, but it does have some issues. One of its notable problems is its erratic speed control, which usually acts up at around 22,000 miles. Some owners have shared that their cars may suddenly accelerate for no reason. They have also shared that their brakes may not even respond when they’ve stepped on their brake pedals. Some have expressed their fears of getting into accidents because of total vehicle control loss. This speed control problem may become extremely dangerous, with multiple reports of injury and death.

Excessive Vibrations Due to Bad Engine Mount

Manual transmission variants of the 2007-2010, 2012, and 2014 Toyota Yaris may develop abnormal vibrations and rattling noises coming from the engine while accelerating, stopping, or shifting gears. They’re commonly caused by engine mount damage. Some owners have shared that the noises may come with fluid leaks near the engine bay. They have also reported that the vibrations may get so severe that the subcompact may become difficult to steer. Some owners have said that they needed to pull over because they couldn’t maneuver their cars properly. The excessive vibrations may set in at around 100,000 miles. An engine mount replacement may be able to resolve this issue.

Illuminated Check Engine Light With P0713 Error Code

One of the most annoying issues with the 2010 Toyota Yaris is its troublesome check engine light. It may suddenly turn on, and the error code P0713 may show on an OBD scan tool. This generally happens with manual transmission models. Error code P0713 indicates that there’s something wrong with your transaxle fluid temperature sensor. This should be fixed immediately. This sensor usually acts up out of nowhere for both low-mileage and high-mileage vehicles. If you encounter this issue, you can resolve it by repairing your vehicle’s transaxle wire harness.

Automatic Transmission Issues

The Toyota Yaris’ automatic gearbox problems are quite common and may be accompanied by other transmission-related complications. The 2009 year model is known for its malfunctioning transmission, which may include abnormal grinding noises when shifting, a burnt smell due to transmission fluid, and unresponsive or delayed transmission shifting. Some owners have also reported unexpected stalling that may happen after shifting gears.

Toyota has released technical service bulletins (TSBs) #10109403 and #10109404 for its automatic transmission. They may help improve your transmission’s performance and prevent any malfunctions due to improper component installation. If you suspect that your Yaris has transmission problems, you’re definitely not alone. You can contact your mechanic as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and necessary repairs.

Faulty Airbag Inflators

One of the most dangerous 2008 Toyota Yaris problems is its faulty airbag inflators, which may explode and cause metal debris to shoot at car passengers. Airbag inflator explosion may cause severe injury, harm, or even death. These problems prompted multiple recalls in 2016, 2017, and 2019 to address all affected units. If you suspect that your vehicle is included in these recalls, Toyota says that you can contact customer service or your dealership for more information. All recall-related repairs and part replacement will be done for free to make sure that your airbags work properly.

Steering Malfunction

2007 Toyota Yaris steering problems may become a great concern. Some owners have reported getting into crashes and sustaining injury due to steering malfunction. They’ve shared that their brakes may suddenly engage and their steering wheel may become stiff while leisurely driving on varying road conditions. Some have shared that they went to their dealerships to fix their cars, but mechanics couldn’t figure out what was causing these complications.

One driver has shared that the steering column completely broke, causing total vehicle control loss. Mild steering problems may be troublesome, but they can become extremely dangerous. These issues may set in at around 73,000 miles. If you’re experiencing these problems with your Yaris, it’s best to get it thoroughly inspected immediately.

Premature Clear Coat Peeling

One of the most common 2007 Toyota Yaris problems is its clear coat, which may peel off and leave unsightly patches all over your car. You may start spotting some of the clear coat coming off at around 83,000 miles. Some owners have reported that they got their cars polished and waxed routinely to maintain their exterior, but the clear coat still kept on flaking off. Some have also shared that the paint may also peel off, which may expose areas where rust can start and spread. If you’re experiencing this with your car, the only solution may be repainting your car. However, it can cost up to $1,500, depending on varying inclusions and labor rates.

A new or used Toyota Yaris is a great option for a reliable car that can accommodate all your driving needs. However, you should learn about its potential problems per model year before you make up your mind. Car-shopping definitely comes with some risk, but researching about the model year you plan to buy can help you manage issues as they happen. If you’ve already set your sights on a specific Toyota Yaris model year, make sure to iron out all details with your seller before sealing the deal.