VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Toyota Yaris2007–2020
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Toyota Yaris
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Toyota Yaris Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 187 complaints
43 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
5 recalls · 167 complaints
33 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
5 recalls · 63 complaints
18 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Yaris became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Toyota Yaris — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 7 | — | — | 87 | 90 | 88 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 22 | 1 | — | 64 | 86 | 72 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 87 | 80 | 85 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 1 | 8 | — | — | 81 | 73 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 1 | 23 | 7 | — | 64 | 66 | 65 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 11 | 11 | — | 64 | 59 | 62 | Good |
| 2014 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 89 | 53 | 76 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — | 74 | 48 | 65 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 5 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 64 | 44 | 57 | Good |
| 2011 | 3 | 15 | 7 | — | 64 | 41 | 56 | Good |
| 2010 | 4 | 48 | 13 | — | 64 | 41 | 56 | Good |
| 2009 | 5 | 63 | 18 | — | 64 | 41 | 56 | Caution |
| 2008 | 5 | 167 | 33 | — | 64 | 41 | 56 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 6 | 187 | 43 | — | 64 | 41 | 56 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Toyota Yaris Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Yaris compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 88).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 78).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Yaris to buy?+
The 2020 Toyota Yaris scores highest on our Buyer Score (88/100) — combining a reliability score of 87/100 with a value score of 90/100. It has 0 recalls and 7 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Yaris years have the most problems?+
The 2007, 2008, 2009 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2007 Yaris leads with 6 recalls and 187 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Yaris problems?+
The most frequently reported Toyota Yaris issues involve: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.