What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Yaris?

By NHTSA complaint count, air bags lead with 124 complaints, then brakes with 35, electrical system with 21 and speed control with 20. In the sample of texts we read, owners describe air bags not deploying, brake and ABS warning lights, and unintended acceleration. The sample is small.

How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Yaris have?

NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this model year, including air bag inflator, driver air bag cable, seat rail and power window switch recalls.

What is the gas mileage of a 2008 Toyota Yaris?

EPA rates the automatic at 29 city, 35 highway and 31 combined mpg, and the manual at 29, 36 and 32 mpg.

Is the 2008 Toyota Yaris reliable?

Our data does not measure reliability directly. It shows 247 complaints and 10 recalls for this year, which is the second highest complaint count of the Yaris years listed. Check a car's VIN for open recalls before buying.

Which Toyota Yaris year has the fewest complaints?

Among the years NHTSA lists, 2014 has the fewest complaints with 3, and 2016 is next with 5. 2008 has 247.

2008 Toyota Yaris Problems, Recalls and MPG

The 2008 Toyota Yaris has 247 NHTSA owner complaints, led by air bags, and 10 recalls^[1]^[2]^[3]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe air bags not deploying in a crash^[2].

247owner complaints^[1]

10recalls^[3]

31–32MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 247 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Yaris^[1]. Of those, 55 mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 58 injuries are reported and 2 deaths are reported^[1]. These are owner reports and NHTSA does not verify them. One complaint can name more than one part of the car.

Here are the biggest groups by complaint count:

Component group	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Median mileage at failure
Air bags^[2]	124	34	41	70,000
Brakes^[5]	35	11	13	50,000
Electrical system^[6]	21	1	1	56,800
Speed control^[7]	20	9	8	54,200
Suspension^[8]	18	1	0	75,000
Engine^[9]	15	1	0	50,191
Structure^[10]	11	3	1	67,968
Steering^[11]	11	4	1	67,000

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where owners complained, not how likely a failure is.

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four groups. It is too small to say how common any problem is, but it shows what owners describe.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, owners describe air bags not deploying in a crash^[2]. Two of the 12 look like the same report filed twice^[2]. NHTSA's count for this group is 124 complaints^[2].
Brakes. In the sample, 7 of 12 texts describe brake or ABS warning lights coming on or staying on^[5]. Several owners link this to corroded rear wheel speed sensors or wiring. 4 of 12 describe the car not slowing down or lunging forward while braking^[5].
Speed control. In the sample, 7 of 12 texts describe unintended acceleration, surging or a stuck gas pedal^[7]. 3 of 12 describe the opposite, a pedal that was pressed but the engine did not respond^[7].
Electrical system. In the sample, 5 of 12 texts describe ABS or brake warning problems tied to wheel sensors or wiring^[6]. 4 of 12 describe a loss of acceleration, in some with the check engine light on^[6].

The warning light reports matter because some owners say the ABS stopped working while the lights were on^[5]^[6]. None of the recalls listed below is about the ABS sensors.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2008 Yaris^[3]. Newest first:

Air bag inflator (19V741). October 17, 2019^[12]. Cars whose front air bag inflators were already replaced under an earlier recall got inflators of the same design. The inflator can explode as the propellant breaks down over time in humidity and heat. Metal fragments could hit the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the inflator or related air bag parts, and the recall began November 20, 2019^[12].
Passenger air bag inflator (17V006). January 9, 2017^[13]. The passenger front inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. This recall covers certain cars sold or ever registered in listed states and territories, grouped into zones. Dealers replace the inflator or the air bag assembly for free. The recall began February 1, 2017^[13].
Passenger air bag inflator (16V340). May 23, 2016^[14]. Same inflator problem and same risk, again limited to cars sold or registered in listed zones. Dealers replace the inflator or the assembly for free. The recall began December 6, 2016^[14].
Power window switch (15V689). October 22, 2015^[15]. Grease on the switch contacts may have been applied unevenly. Dirt and moisture can then cause a short circuit, and the switch can overheat and melt, which raises the risk of fire. Dealers inspect the switch, add lubricant if it looks normal, or replace the circuit board if it does not, for free. Toyota's notice said the recall was expected to begin December 20, 2015^[15].
Driver air bag cable (14V168). April 9, 2014^[16]. A flat cable in the steering column can be damaged when the wheel is turned. The driver air bag could then lose its connection and not deploy in a crash. Toyota first sent owners an interim letter about the recall and said it would mail a second letter when remedy parts were available. The recall began October 27, 2014^[16].
Seat rail springs (14V169). April 9, 2014^[17]. Springs in the driver seat rails, and in the front passenger seat rails of three-door models, can break. The seat may then not lock in place, and it could move in a crash. Dealers inspect the rail and replace it if needed, for free. The recall began July 3, 2014^[17].
Power window switch (12V491). October 10, 2012^[18]. The switch was built with a less precise lubrication process and can overheat and melt, possibly causing a fire. Dealers inspect it and apply a special grease or replace a damaged switch for free^[18].
Load label (10V036). February 3, 2010^[19]. Southeast Toyota sold cars without the required load carrying capacity labels. A driver could overload the car, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers mail the corrected label or install it for free^[19].
Load label (10V035). February 3, 2010^[20]. Gulf States Toyota recalled cars without the required load carrying capacity labels. Dealers mail or install the corrected label for free and also correct the owner's manual^[20].
Load label (09V223). June 15, 2009^[21]. Toyota recalled cars without the required load carrying capacity labels. Owners get a new, accurate label to place over the wrong one, for free^[21].

Two of the air bag inflator recalls depend on where the car was sold or registered. Check any car you are considering by VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 1.5L 4-cylinder, front-wheel-drive Yaris at two levels:

Transmission	City	Highway	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Automatic 4-spd^[22]	29 mpg	35 mpg	31 mpg	$2,150
Manual 5-spd^[4]	29 mpg	36 mpg	32 mpg	$2,100

Both use regular gas^[22]^[4].

Engine and size

The EPA rows above list a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine^[22]. Our data has no horsepower figure for this car.

The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada^[23]. They are converted to inches and pounds.

Variant	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
2-door hatch^[23]	151 in	67 in	60 in	97 in	2,315 lb
4-door hatch^[24]	151 in	67 in	60 in	97 in	2,315 lb
4-door sedan^[25]	169 in	67 in	57 in	100 in	2,315 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Yaris model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2007	296	10
2008	247	10
2009	103	10
2010	90	9
2011	25	3
2012	35	5
2013	9	1
2014	3	1
2015	15	4
2016	5	2
2017	31	3
2018	12	1
2019	26	3
2020	10	1

NHTSA's counts for each Yaris model year^[3]:

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2007	296	10
2008	247	10
2009	103	10
2010	90	9
2011	25	3
2012	35	5
2013	9	1
2014	3	1
2015	15	4
2016	5	2
2017	31	3
2018	12	1
2019	26	3
2020	10	1

The 2008 model has the second highest complaint count of the years listed, behind 2007. Its 10 recalls tie it with 2007 and 2009 for the most^[3]. Every year from 2011 on has 35 complaints or fewer^[3].

Should you buy a used 2008 Yaris?

The 2008 Yaris has 247 complaints and 10 recalls^[1]^[3]. Air bags lead the complaint list with 124^[2], and owners in the sample we read describe air bags not deploying in a crash, though these are unverified reports. If you are looking at a specific car, run its VIN for open recalls first, especially the air bag inflator and driver air bag cable recalls^[12]^[13]^[14]^[16]. Then ask about the ABS and brake warning lights, since owners in the sample tie them to rear wheel speed sensors^[5]. A fair read is that it can make sense at the right price, with the recall work confirmed and a careful pre-purchase inspection.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Yaris?: By NHTSA complaint count, air bags lead with 124 complaints, then brakes with 35, electrical system with 21 and speed control with 20^[2]^[5]^[6]^[7]. In the sample of texts we read, owners describe air bags not deploying, brake and ABS warning lights, and unintended acceleration. The sample is small.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Yaris have?: NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this model year, including air bag inflator, driver air bag cable, seat rail and power window switch recalls^[3]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[16]^[17]^[18].
What is the gas mileage of a 2008 Toyota Yaris?: EPA rates the automatic at 29 city, 35 highway and 31 combined mpg, and the manual at 29, 36 and 32 mpg^[22]^[4].
Is the 2008 Toyota Yaris reliable?: Our data does not measure reliability directly. It shows 247 complaints and 10 recalls for this year, which is the second highest complaint count of the Yaris years listed^[1]^[3]. Check a car's VIN for open recalls before buying.
Which Toyota Yaris year has the fewest complaints?: Among the years NHTSA lists, 2014 has the fewest complaints with 3, and 2016 is next with 5^[3]. 2008 has 247^[3].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 247 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Toyota Yaris (55 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 58 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
124 complaints name the air bags component group (34 crashes, 1 fires, 41 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Yaris model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
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
35 complaints name the brakes component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,800). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the speed control component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,200). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,191). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,968). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V006, filed January 9, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V689, filed October 22, 2015: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V168, filed April 9, 2014: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V169, filed April 9, 2014: Seats. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V491, filed October 10, 2012: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V035, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V223, filed June 15, 2009: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
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
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
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
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.

2008 Toyota Yaris: problems, recalls and fuel economy