NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints for the 2011 Toyota Yaris. Most complaints involve air bags (21) and suspension (2). The EPA rates it 31 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."
Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."
Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
21 reports2 crashes1 fire
“I FILED A CLAIM FOR THE AUTO AIRBAG SETTLEMENT IN 2017. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE AND WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA THEY STATED BOB BAKER DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE. NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER. THANK YOU, AMPARO PEREZ-FLYNN”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Mar 2, 2021·Air bagsODI 11398800
Suspension
2 reports
“I HAVE TOYOTA YARIS SEDAN 2011. I BUY THIS CAR IN THE DEALER TOYOTA BAYAMON PR I FEEL THE CAR VERY SLIPPERY AND UNCOMFORTABLE. WHEN THE MECHANIC CHECK HE TELL ME THIS CAR DO NOT HAVE ABS ESC ECT. JUST HAVE 2 AIR BAGS IN FRONT. WHEN WE CHECK THE VIN SAID THIS CAR SUPPOSED HAVE ABS AND ALL SAFETY SYSTEM BUT WHEN WE CHECK NO HAVE NOTHING. JUST 2 AIR BAGS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 27, 2014·SuspensionODI 10650351
Electrical system
1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED DUE TO THE WEIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BEING TOO HEAVY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jan 10, 2017·Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10944152
3 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 2011 Toyota Yaris problems?
Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (21), suspension (2), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2011 Toyota Yaris get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Toyota Yaris at 31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).