NHTSA has 35 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Yaris[1]. The biggest group names the air bags, with 18 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA files, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 18 complaints[2]. Owners describe air bags that did not open in a crash, and waits for repair parts after a notice arrived.
- Structure. 5 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe a rear bumper panel coming loose and a rear window glass breaking while parked.
- Wheels. 4 complaints[7]. Owners describe a tire pressure warning that did not work from the start, and a wheel problem after hitting debris on the road.
- Electrical System. 4 complaints[8]. This group has 1 fire report[8].
- Speed Control. 4 complaints[9]. Owners describe the car lurching into a curb and rough idling that felt like stalling.
- Visibility/Wiper. 2 complaints[10].
- Unknown Or Other. 2 complaints[11].
- Brakes. 2 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Yaris is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V741), October 2019. About 928,220 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V025), January 2018. About 116,126 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V006), January 2017. About 577,875 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Structure (15V134), March 2015. About 16,582 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Steering › Electric Power Assist System (13V292), July 2013. About 74 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems.[17]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 HB FWD[5] | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 13.6% |
| 4 DR FWD[19] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 17.6% |
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 3 HB FWD[20].
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Yaris with electric motor[21] | 106 hp |
| 2012 Toyota Yaris with 1.5L 4-cylinder[22] | 106 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YARIS 3DR HATCHBACK CE[23] | 154 in | 67 in | 59 in | 99 in | 2,249 lb |
| YARIS 4DR SEDAN FWD CE/LE/RS[24] | 169 in | 67 in | 57 in | 100 in | 2,315 lb |
| YARIS 5DR HATCHBACK LE[25] | 154 in | 67 in | 59 in | 99 in | 2,249 lb |
| YARIS 5DR HATCHBACK SE[26] | 155 in | 67 in | 59 in | 99 in | 2,293 lb |
How 2012 compares with other years
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 the Yaris show 35 complaints and 5 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 14 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 4 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2014 (3) and the most are for 2007 (296)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Yaris?
The file for this Yaris is small, with 35 complaints in total[1]. The air bag group stands out, with 18 complaints and 9 crashes[2]. Across all groups, 12 complaints mention a crash[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. Check the recall list on this page and the by-year section before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Yaris?
- Air bags lead the list, with 18 complaints[2]. Structure follows with 5 complaints[6].
- Does the 2012 Toyota Yaris have recalls?
- Yes. The pack shows 5 recalls for this year[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Toyota Yaris?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2012 Toyota Yaris reliable?
- The file shows 35 complaints[1]. Air bags make up the largest group at 18[2]. Read the problems section above and the safety section for the full picture.
- Is 2012 the best year for the Toyota Yaris?
- The by-year comparison section of this page puts the years side by side. This year has 35 complaints[3].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Toyota Yaris
Compare all model years of the Toyota Yaris
Other Toyota models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: compact cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 35 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Yaris (12 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 11 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). 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: 30 city / 36 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the wheels component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V025, filed January 9, 2018: 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 15V134, filed March 9, 2015: Structure. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V292, filed July 3, 2013: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Yaris, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 34 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 3 HB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Toyota Yaris with electric motor: rated 106 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Toyota Yaris with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 106 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 3DR HATCHBACK CE: length 154 in, width 67 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 99 in, curb weight 2,249 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 4DR SEDAN FWD CE/LE/RS: 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 5DR HATCHBACK LE: length 154 in, width 67 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 99 in, curb weight 2,249 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 5DR HATCHBACK SE: length 155 in, width 67 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 99 in, curb weight 2,293 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov