2012 Toyota Yaris
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 258 |
| 2008 | 218 |
| 2009 | 92 |
| 2010 | 90 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 35 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 9 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
49% of complaints: air bags — 17 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
[XXX] ON JUNE 3,17 WAS IN A FATAL AUTO COLLIONS THAT COSTED HER LIFE.THE AUTO WAS TOWED TO HAYS TOWING IN SAN BERNADINO CA. AT:5486 INDUSTRIAL PKWY. SAN BERNARDINO CA 92407.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190608
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HILL AT 40 MPH, LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE TREE IN FRONT. ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171227
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150507
11% of complaints: wheels — 4 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED IN FRONT OF A RESTAURANT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180318
11% of complaints: structure — 4 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY11% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE CAR ABRUPTLY POWERED DOWN THE INSIDE LIGHTS, OUTSIDE LIGHTS, HEAT, ETC TURNED OFF.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131206
SAFETY TIMELINE
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 21, 2011, through August 31, 2011.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering control module. The recall began on July 31, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 13V292000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 31, 2011, to February 9, 2015, and sold or registered in Puerto Rico.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 15V134000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.
Campaign 17V006000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 18V025000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Toyota Yaris — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (17 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for wheels issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V292000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V134000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V006000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V025000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2012 Toyota Yaris reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Yaris?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Yaris have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.