CarBrief

NHTSA has 296 complaints on file for the 2007 Toyota Yaris, more than any other Yaris model year[1][2]. Air bag complaints are the largest group, and a rusting suspension bolt shows up in the owner reports we read[3][4].

296owner complaints[1]
10recalls[2]
31–32MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints with NHTSA. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. The counts below are by component group.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Air bags[3] 132 29 35
Brakes[6] 34 4 5
Suspension[4] 24 0 0
Structure[7] 23 3 9

Overall, 41 complaints mention a crash, 6 a fire and 53 injuries, and no deaths are reported[1]. Speed control (20 complaints, 8 crashes), seat belts (20), engine (17) and electrical system (16, with 5 fires) are the next groups[8][9][10][11]. Those groups are small, so we do not treat them as common problems.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read[3], owners describe crashes where they say the air bags did not deploy. One owner describes a warning light that led to a replaced part in the steering column. The median mileage at failure for this group is 95,550[3]. A complaint does not prove why a crash went the way it did.

Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints we read[4], owners describe clunking noises and a corroded bolt that holds a front control arm in place, which then breaks. Several say the repair was expensive and not covered by warranty. This group has 24 complaints with no crashes or injuries, and the median mileage at failure is 131,000[4]. The same bolts also come up in a sample of structure complaints[7].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read[6], owners describe ABS warning lights and a pulsing or jerky pedal, and some link it to corroded wiring or sensors. The median mileage at failure is 59,723[6].

Structure. In a sample of 12 structure complaints we read[7], owners describe the rear lid falling shut on people, and a few describe a side window shattering on its own. The median mileage at failure is 66,950[7].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Our data does not show whether recall work was done on any one car. Ask the seller for proof, or check the car's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists a 1.5L 4-cylinder, front-wheel-drive Yaris on regular gas in two versions[22][5].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Est. yearly fuel cost
Automatic 4-spd[22] 29 / 35 / 31 $2,150
Manual 5-spd[5] 29 / 36 / 32 $2,100

The EPA yearly cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-star safety rating for the 4-door front-wheel-drive version is listed as not rated[23]. We have no other crash-test scores for this year.

Engine and size

The EPA data above lists a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine[22][5]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, so a US car can differ slightly[24].

Body Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2-door hatch[24] 151 in 67 in 60 in 97 in 2,315 lb
4-door hatch[25] 151 in 67 in 60 in 97 in 2,315 lb
4-door sedan[26] 169 in 67 in 57 in 100 in 2,315 lb

How 2007 compares with other years

2007: 296 complaints, 10 recalls29620072008: 247 complaints, 10 recalls20082009: 103 complaints, 10 recalls20092010: 90 complaints, 9 recalls20102011: 25 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 35 complaints, 5 recalls20122013: 9 complaints, 1 recalls20132014: 3 complaints, 1 recalls20142015: 15 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 5 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 31 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 12 complaints, 1 recalls20182019: 26 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 10 complaints, 1 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Yaris model year. The 2007 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200729610
200824710
200910310
2010909
2011253
2012355
201391
201431
2015154
201652
2017313
2018121
2019263
2020101

Among the Yaris model years NHTSA lists, 2007 has the most complaints at 296[2]. The next is 2008 with 247, then 2009 with 103[2]. For recalls, 2007, 2008 and 2009 each have 10, and 2010 has 9[2]. From 2011 on, every year has far fewer of both, with at most 35 complaints and 5 recalls, and 2014 has just 3 complaints[2]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2007 Yaris?

This model year has the highest complaint count of any Yaris year, led by air bag complaints, and it has 10 recalls[1][3][2]. Before buying, confirm that the air bag recalls were done, because the inflator recalls warn of serious injury or death and the cable recall warns of injury to the driver[12][13][14][16]. Ask a mechanic to look at the suspension bolts, since owners describe them corroding and breaking[4]. On the plus side, the EPA rates it at up to 32 MPG combined[5]. Our data cannot tell you about price, oil capacity or towing.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with a 2007 Toyota Yaris?
Air bags have the most complaints, 132 of the 296 on file[3][1]. In a sample we read, owners also describe a corroded suspension bolt[4]. The sample is small, so treat it as a pattern to check, not a rate.
Does the 2007 Toyota Yaris have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recalls, including air bag inflator, driver air bag cable, power window switch and seat belt pretensioner recalls[2][12][16][15][21].
How many miles per gallon does a 2007 Toyota Yaris get?
The EPA rates the automatic at 31 combined MPG and the manual at 32 combined MPG[22][5].
Is 2007 a good year for the Toyota Yaris?
It has more complaints than any other listed Yaris year, 296 versus 247 for 2008[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them as a guide only.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 296 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Toyota Yaris (41 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 53 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Yaris model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 132 complaints name the air bags component group (29 crashes, 1 fires, 35 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,550). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 24 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 131,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for Yaris, 1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 36 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 34 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,723). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 23 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,950). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 20 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 20 complaints name the seat belts component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 17 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,606). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 17V006, filed January 9, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 15V689, filed October 22, 2015: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 14V168, filed April 9, 2014: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 14V169, filed April 9, 2014: Seats. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 12V491, filed October 10, 2012: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 09V223, filed June 15, 2009: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 09V031, filed January 29, 2009: Seat Belts › Front › Retractor. NHTSA recall database
  22. EPA rating for Yaris, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 35 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 2DR HATCH FWD CE/RS: length 151 in, width 67 in, height 60 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,315 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 4DR HATCH FWD LE/RS: length 151 in, width 67 in, height 60 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,315 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 169 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,315 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.