Research · Subcompact Cars

2018 Toyota Yaris IARecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota Yaris IA. Most complaints involve tires (3) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 34–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
34–35mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
8
Top: tires
Fuel cost / yr
$1,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Toyota Yaris IA as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2019 – Aug 2026
  1. Tires3
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Engine1
  4. Service brakes1
  5. Air bags1
  6. Seat belts1
  7. Vehicle speed control1
  8. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Yaris IA model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201731
20188
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Tires

3 reports
“I am reporting a severe vehicle safety violation involving a Westlake tire on a 2018 Toyota Yaris rented through Turo (Claim 1060794). The vehicle host rented out the vehicle with a pre-existing, structurally ruptured tire sidewall bulge on the front passenger wheel. The host took a pre-trip photo documenting the failing tire with a gauge but failed to ground the vehicle, choosing instead to temporarily inflate it with air to mask the low-pressure warning light. The tire structurally failed during operation, forcing a replacement. A formal safety investigation is requested into this safety failure for deploying a non-roadworthy, structurally compromised vehicle onto public roads. TIRE SIZE 185/60R16”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026TiresODI 11757041

Electrical system

1 report
“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Yaris IA. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle stalled and stopped independently. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where unknown repairs where completed. However, the failure reoccurred while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact jumpstarted the vehicle and the vehicle restarted as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated to the engine control module. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle only had a power train warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2022Electrical system, EngineODI 11470843

Engine

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Yaris iA
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
324035$1,700249
Yaris iA
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303934$1,750264
  • Yaris iA
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    32 city · 40 hwy · $1,700/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Yaris iA
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    30 city · 39 hwy · $1,750/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota Yaris iA 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 12047
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 Yaris IA questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Yaris IA have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2018 Toyota Yaris IA problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (3), electrical system (1), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Toyota Yaris IA get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Yaris IA at 34–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Toyota Yaris IA?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Toyota Yaris IA 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026