NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 7 recalls, 90 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Toyota Yaris.
31–32 mpg combined
7.4–7.6 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2010 Toyota Yaris centers on the airbag system, which accounts by far for the largest share of owner reports. Owners frequently describe airbags deploying unexpectedly or failing to deploy when expected, and a number of reports involve concerns about the passenger seat occupant sensor not correctly classifying the seat occupant, which affects whether the front passenger airbag activates. Visibility and wiper complaints make up the next named category, with owners describing wiper performance issues in poor weather. The electrical system draws a similar complaint volume, with owners reporting door locks that intermittently fail to engage, doors that unlock on their own, and a fuel gauge that some owners say reads inaccurately, in one pattern leading to an unexpected stall when the tank ran dry without a low-fuel warning.
90
Total Complaints
12
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
10
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Toyota Yaris has 7 recalls, the most serious being a Takata airbag inflator defect in the front passenger airbag that can rupture and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
Multiple recalls cover this same airbag inflator issue across different geographic zones and vehicle registration histories, meaning the recall that applies to a specific Yaris depends on where the vehicle was originally sold or has ever been registered. Owners in high-humidity states such as Florida, Hawaii, and Texas fall under one set of filings, while owners in lower-humidity states are covered under a separate campaign. Prior repair attempts in some cases did not fully resolve the issue, and additional filings followed. Regardless of geography, the underlying danger is the same: the inflator can burst rather than deploy normally, turning airbag hardware into projectiles inside the vehicle.
On the electrical side, the power window master switch can develop a short circuit when moisture and debris get past worn internal contacts that have lost their protective lubricant. When this happens, the switch assembly can overheat and melt, creating a burn or fire risk at the door panel.
The remaining recall affects the front seats. The springs inside the driver's seat rail and, on three-door models, the front passenger seat rail can break, leaving the seat unable to lock into position. In a crash, an unlocked seat can slide unexpectedly, reducing the protection the seatbelt and structure would otherwise provide to the occupant.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
Driver or passenger front airbag inflators previously replaced under an earlier recall may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, high temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected front airbag inflator, assembly, or sub-assembly depending on vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger frontal air bag inflator may rupture during deployment due to propellant deterioration from prolonged humidity and temperature exposure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly with an alternate inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during deployment due to degradation from humidity and temperature exposure over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or entire air bag assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power window master switch may have inconsistent grease lubrication on its sliding electrical contacts, potentially causing the switch to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the switch and apply lubricant if needed, or replace the circuit board if abnormalities are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The springs in the driver and front passenger seat rails on three-door models may break, potentially affecting seat stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat rails and replace any broken ones with new ones at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.