Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2010 Toyota YarisRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 90 owner complaints for the 2010 Toyota Yaris. Most complaints involve air bags (45) and seats (8). The EPA rates it 31–32 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
31–32mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
90
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V025000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." 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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V024000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

90 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – Nov 2024
  1. Air bags45
  2. Seats8
  3. Electrical system7
  4. Visibility/wiper7
  5. Vehicle speed control6
  6. Steering6
  7. Seat belts4
  8. Structure3
  9. Engine3

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007296
2008247
2009103
201090
201125
201235
20139
20143
201515
20165
201715
20184
201926
202010
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

45 reports8 crashes
“2010 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT REQUIRE THE AIRBAGS TO BE REPLACE, BUT CONSTANTLY RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2019Air bagsODI 11277897

Seats

8 reports
“MICE ATE MOST OF MY CAR INSULATION AND WIRING RESULTING IN DESTRUCTION OF 2 CAR COMPUTERS, TWO HEATER FAN MOTORS, ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ABOUT $5K DAMAGE .. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN DAILY .. ONLY THIS NEW CAR WITH SOY BASED INSULATION ARE AFFECTED .. OUR 2 0KDER TRUCKS WERE NOT .. I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS IF NECESSARY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2016Electrical system, Seats, Service brakesODI 10934443

Electrical system

7 reports1 fire
“Malfunctioning components 1. Door locks do not lock all the time when the lock button is pressed. 2. Randomly I will find my doors unlocked, when I closed them when I got out. 3. Doors unlock by themselves and that poses a problem for me and my family. To be able to figure out the issue I have to take it to the dealer where they charge an arm and a leg to diagnose the issue, due to Covid-19 and the hardship it has caused my family I don’t have the funds to do that. Somebody has to push the dealers to help the consumers out for a change. Thank you.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2021Electrical systemODI 11434616
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-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 10, 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
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293632$1,950278
Yaris
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293531$2,000287
  • Yaris
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    29 city · 36 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Yaris
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    29 city · 35 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Toyota Yaris as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5794Vehicle 5796Vehicle 5795
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

2010 Yaris questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Yaris have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Toyota Yaris problems?

Owners filed 90 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (45), seats (8), electrical system (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Toyota Yaris get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Toyota Yaris at 31–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026