VehicleVerdict

2016 Toyota Yaris problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2016 Toyota Yaris — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

8

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Yaris years?

Yaris NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Yaris years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Toyota Yaris problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags225%
Brakes225%
Body & Structure225%
Electrical System113%
Speed Control113%

Does the 2016 Toyota Yaris have recalls?

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

19V319000AirbagsApril 23, 2019 · 43,221 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Yaris vehicles. The wire harnesses for the side air bag sensors located within the front doors may crack and corrode, possibly causing the non-deployment or improper deployment of the front seat side air bags and the curtain shield air bags.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, front seat side air bags and curtain shield air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wire harness assembly in the front doors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is K1F/K0F.

16V236000OtherApril 22, 2016 · 94 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence

An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. ENTIRE SENSOR OF THE FRONT WERE TORN OFF AND STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY SISTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS DRIVING AND CRASHED AT 35MPH ON A CITY STREER AND CRASH INTO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 3, 2018 · crash

“WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. ENTIRE SENSOR OF THE FRONT WERE TORN OFF AND STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY SISTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS DRIVING AND CRASHED AT 35MPH ON A CITY STREER AND CRASH INTO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 3, 2018 · crash

“WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. ENTIRE SENSOR OF THE FRONT WERE TORN OFF AND STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY SISTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS DRIVING AND CRASHED AT 35MPH ON A CITY STREER AND CRASH INTO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 3, 2018 · crash

“MY ACELERATOR PEDAL IS SO SMALL AND I HAD ALMOST AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE DURING A TRIP MY FOOT GOT STUCK UNDERNEAT THE PEDAL, I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE AT TIME BUT IT WAS HARD TO CHANGE TO THE BRAKES CAUSE IT TOOK LIKE A SECOND TO REMOVE MY FOOT, ALSO SOMETIMES I NEED TO SPEED FASTER TO CHANGE A LANE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 1, 2021

2016 Toyota Yaris — common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Yaris reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2016 Toyota Yaris have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Toyota Yaris. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

How safe is the 2016 Toyota Yaris?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Toyota Yaris earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.