CarBrief

NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Yaris, and air bags are the biggest group[1][2]. The car has 3 recalls, including one for side air bag wiring[3][4].

31owner complaints[1]
3recalls[3]
32–35MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4–5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 31 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Seven mention a crash, and 5 injuries are reported[1]. None report a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[2] 8
Fuel/propulsion system[7] 5
Power train[8] 4
Speed control[9] 3
Engine[10] 3
Electrical system[11] 3
Brakes[12] 3

Air bags. Eight complaints name this group, with 6 crashes and 5 injuries[2]. In the sample of complaints we read, 4 of 8 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[2]. Others describe an air bag going off, a recall repair question and a sensor code. The sample is small, so it shows what owners describe and not how common it is.

Power train and speed control. In the sample we read, 2 of 4 power train complaints describe hesitation or a slow response when the driver pressed the accelerator[8]. In the speed control sample, 2 of 3 describe slow acceleration[9].

Fuel and propulsion. In the sample we read, 2 of 3 complaints describe the car stalling[7]. None of the 5 complaints in this group report a crash or injury[7].

The other groups have 3 complaints each[10][13][11][12]. That is too few to call any of them a pattern.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls that apply to this car.

Fuel economy

EPA lists four ratings in our data, two under the name Yaris and two under Yaris iA. All use a 1.5L 4-cylinder, regular fuel and front-wheel drive[16][5][17][18].

Model and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Yaris iA, Automatic (S6)[5] 32 / 40 / 35 $1,900
Yaris iA, Manual 6-spd[16] 30 / 39 / 34 $1,950
Yaris, Manual 5-spd[18] 30 / 36 / 33 $2,050
Yaris, Automatic 4-spd[17] 30 / 35 / 32 $2,100

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

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star ratings differ by body style in our data[19][20][6].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 1.5L 4-cylinder rated at 106 hp for the Yaris test car[21].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
3-door hatchback[22] 156 in 67 in 59 in 99 in 2,271 lb
5-door hatchback LE/SE[23] 156 in 67 in 59 in 99 in 2,392 lb
4-door sedan[24] 172 in 67 in 59 in 101 in 2,414 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2007: 296 complaints, 10 recalls20072008: 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 recalls3120172018: 12 complaints, 1 recalls20182019: 26 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 10 complaints, 1 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Yaris model year. The 2017 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200729610
200824710
200910310
2010909
2011253
2012355
201391
201431
2015154
201652
2017313
2018121
2019263
2020101

The 2017 model year has 31 complaints and 3 recalls[3]. Among the years 2011 to 2020, only 2012 has more complaints, at 35[3]. Later years are lower: 12 for 2018, 26 for 2019 and 10 for 2020[3].

The earliest years are far higher. 2007 has 296 complaints, 2008 has 247, 2009 has 103 and 2010 has 90[3]. On recalls, 2017 has 3, the same as 2011 and 2019[3]. 2012 has 5 and 2015 has 4[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2017 Yaris?

The complaint file is small next to the early Yaris years, but 2017 is second only to 2012 among 2011 to 2020[3]. The air bag group deserves attention, since it holds 8 of the 31 complaints and 5 injuries[1][2]. Check the VIN for the side air bag wiring recall 19V319 and confirm the repair was done, and check the other two recalls the same way[4][14][15]. Fuel economy is between 32 and 35 MPG combined depending on the version[5][17]. Ratings differ by body style, so look up the one you are buying[19][6].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Yaris?
Air bags have the most complaints at 8 of 31[1][2]. Owners in the sample we read also describe slow acceleration and stalling[8][9][7].
Does the 2017 Toyota Yaris have any recalls?
Yes, 3: side air bag wiring (19V319), spare tire pressure (17V295) and a floor mat load label (19V503)[4][15][14].
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Toyota Yaris?
EPA combined ratings run from 32 MPG to 35 MPG depending on the version[17][5].
How safe is the 2017 Toyota Yaris?
NHTSA gives the 5 HB FWD 4 stars overall and the 4 DR FWD 5 stars overall[19][6].
Is 2017 a good year for the Toyota Yaris?
It has 31 complaints[1], fewer than 2007 to 2010[3]. Among 2011 to 2020, only 2012 has more[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Toyota Yaris (7 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 8 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Yaris model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V319, filed April 23, 2019: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Yaris iA, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 32 city / 40 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 3 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 19V503, filed June 28, 2019: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V295, filed May 2, 2017: Tires › Temporary / Emergency Spare Tire. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Yaris iA, 1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 39 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Yaris, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 35 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 3 HB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Toyota Yaris with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 106 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 3DR HATCHBACK: length 156 in, width 67 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 99 in, curb weight 2,271 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 5DR HATCHBACK LE/SE: length 156 in, width 67 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 99 in, curb weight 2,392 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, YARIS 4DR SEDAN: length 172 in, width 67 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,414 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.