Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Brake assist failed at time of accident, it never came on. It does come on sometimes in the past when it shouldn't. I was breaking because a car came to a complete stop in front of me, there was no warning and despite my best effort to brake the car still made contact with other car in front of me. I have not yet taken the car to a dealer. The car has not been inspected. No warning lights. However, in the past the car would stop randomly for no reason. Also it has a hesitation when you hit the gas.
This 2020 Yaris is registered to me but driven by my daughter to her workplace less that 3 miles away. The first incident involved the engine laboring to start and when she came home, the battery was dead. I was able to re-charge the battery at home but 2 days later, the car would not start at home. I have an auto engine scanner that registered a P2610 code stating "an Engine Control Module, ECM/PCM Engine Off Timer Performance". The battery had been completely drained of its liquid. This is a safety hazard that could have stranded my daughter as she sometimes drives to Houston which is about 30 miles away. I researched this code and found that the NHTSA has previously issued notices on these problems. We need help getting it resolved.Car is available for inspection.
The contact owned a 2019 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated that after his wife had arrived at her destination, a short time later she was made aware that the vehicle was on fire. Upon arriving on the scene, the contact's wife observed a fire originating in the engine compartment. Local emergency services were called and were able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Yaris. The contact initially stated that multiple attempts were needed to start his vehicle. When the vehicle would start, the transmission would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Upon investigation underneath the hood, the contact discovered sticks and chewed wiring which he linked to squirrels. Since the initial discovery, the contact had seen squirrels entering and leaving the engine compartment on two separate occasions. The dealer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided a case number. The contact ordered the parts to replace the wiring harness and air filter cover however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 14,700.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated the fuel gauge failed to illustrate the correct amount of fuel which caused the vehicle stall due to a lack of fuel. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated or informed that the fuel level was low. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to local dealer (joe machens Toyota located at 1180 vandiver dr, columbia, mo 65202, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel sender gauge to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated after the repairs, the vehicle seized and the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had not informed the dealer of the secondary failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 142,234.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Yaris. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shook and the front end made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that there was a failure under the front of the vehicle. The diagnostic results were unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 63,839.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Yaris. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,383.
Toyota Yaris, 2009, sedan, 4dr, 7 months of use, strong bad odor problems with the air conditioner unit, took the car to the dealer and they performed a replacement of the air filters, the dealer informed me that it was fixed but before I reached my house the problem was there again. Took the car to the dealer again and this time the service representative informed me that all the Toyota Yaris 2009 have the same bad odor problem in the air conditioner unit, and that it was a manufacturer defect. I asked for a fix to this problem but the answer I received from the dealer service representative was that they are still collecting complaints and information to request a recall or fix from the Toyota company, which can take an indefinite amount of time. Meanwhile I am stock with the problem and no other options available to fix it.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Yaris years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (17), 2008 (15), 2019 (8), 2009 (5) and 2010 (5) model years. Engine complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Toyota Yaris engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Toyota Yaris model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Yaris engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (4 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.