VehicleVerdict

2011 Toyota Yaris problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2011 Toyota Yaris carries two red flags at once: 31 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). It is one of the Yaris years to avoid. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 68% of all reports (21 of 31), far ahead of suspension at 2.

31

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

5

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Yaris years?

Yaris NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted331 complaints2006: 9 complaints2007: 331 complaints2008: 289 complaints2009: 134 complaints2010: 123 complaints2011: 31 complaints2012: 47 complaints2013: 11 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 22 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 21 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 43 complaints2020: 16 complaints
Yaris NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Yaris years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Toyota Yaris problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2168%
Engine26%
Body & Structure26%
Suspension26%
Tires & Wheels13%
Electrical System13%
Lighting13%
Other13%

Does the 2011 Toyota Yaris have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V741000AirbagsOctober 17, 2019 · 928,220 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

18V025000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 116,126 units

Defect

On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. As of January 30, 2018, Toyota is additionally recalling 3,347 model year 2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles located in states listed above. Also included in this recall filing is 98,194 model year 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles, located throughout the U.S., that previously received a “like-for-like” interim air bag inflator replacement. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0R (Zone B), and H0A (Zone C), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A).

16V340000AirbagsMay 23, 2016 · 1,754,517 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

Open NHTSA investigations

EA21002

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“HI, MY NAME IS [XXX] DO TO A CAR CRASHING INTO MY TOYOTA YARIS MY SON WAS DRIVING AND SOME CAR CRASH INTO HIM. HE GOT HURT AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN THE ACCIDENT WAS VERY FATAL. ENGINE WAS ON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO TAKE HIM OUT OF THE CAR UNCONSCIOUS AND THE WHEELS WHERE TWISTS. CAR WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 30, 2016 · crash · fire

“HI, MY NAME IS [XXX] DO TO A CAR CRASHING INTO MY TOYOTA YARIS MY SON WAS DRIVING AND SOME CAR CRASH INTO HIM. HE GOT HURT AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN THE ACCIDENT WAS VERY FATAL. ENGINE WAS ON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO TAKE HIM OUT OF THE CAR UNCONSCIOUS AND THE WHEELS WHERE TWISTS. CAR WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 30, 2016 · crash · fire

“2011 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRUNK LID PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID WOULD COME DOWN ON HIS HEAD, WHEN THERE WAS A SLIGHT BREEZE OR WHEN PARKED FACING UP A STEEP HILL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, REPLACING THE EXISTING TRUNK SPRINGS WOULD NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 2, 2013

“I HAVE TOYOTA YARIS SEDAN 2011. I BUY THIS CAR IN THE DEALER TOYOTA BAYAMON PR I FEEL THE CAR VERY SLIPPERY AND UNCOMFORTABLE. WHEN THE MECHANIC CHECK HE TELL ME THIS CAR DO NOT HAVE ABS ESC ECT. JUST HAVE 2 AIR BAGS IN FRONT. WHEN WE CHECK THE VIN SAID THIS CAR SUPPOSED HAVE ABS AND ALL SAFETY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 7, 2014

“2011 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRUNK LID PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID WOULD COME DOWN ON HIS HEAD, WHEN THERE WAS A SLIGHT BREEZE OR WHEN PARKED FACING UP A STEEP HILL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, REPLACING THE EXISTING TRUNK SPRINGS WOULD NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 2, 2013

2011 Toyota Yaris — common questions

Is the 2011 Toyota Yaris reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 31 complaints put the 2011 model at #7 of 15 Yaris years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Yaris years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Yaris problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (21 complaints), suspension (2 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2011 Toyota Yaris have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Toyota Yaris. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Toyota Yaris under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Toyota Yaris years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Yaris years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2019, 2011, 2006. The cleanest record among Yaris years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.