Research · Compact Cars

2015 Toyota YarisRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota Yaris. Most complaints involve air bags (5) and service brakes (3). The EPA rates it 32–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
32–33mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Apr 2019
Owner complaints
15
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Yaris vehicles. The wire harnesses for the side air bag sensors located within the front doors may crack and corrode, possibly causing the non-deployment or improper deployment of the front seat side air bags and the curtain shield air bags.

Air bagsReported Apr 23, 2019NHTSA 19V319000

Suspension: shock absorber

Remedy pending

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Yaris vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 27, 2015. The front strut mounting bearings can be damaged when a high load is applied to the strut, such as driving over a large bump.

SuspensionReported May 26, 2016NHTSA 16V367000

Structure

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 31, 2011, to February 9, 2015, and sold or registered in Puerto Rico. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a roof headliner that does not provide the proper occupant protection in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 201, " Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

StructureReported Mar 9, 2015NHTSA 15V134000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2015 – May 2024
  1. Air bags5
  2. Service brakes3
  3. Vehicle speed control3
  4. Structure2
  5. Steering2
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Engine1
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  9. Suspension1

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
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
5
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

5 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt light flashed on the instrument panel, indicating that the seat belt was not being worn. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the wiring harness. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V319000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2024Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11586362

Service brakes

3 reports3 crashes
“CAR KEPT ACCELERATING DESPITE THE BRAKES ON THE CAR BEING APPLIED CAUSING THE CAR TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2019Unknown or other, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11165361

Vehicle speed control

3 reports3 crashes
“WHILE I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY AND I TRIED TO STOP WITH THE BREAKS . I DIDN'T STOP EVEN THOUGH I WAS BREAKING HARD AND THE SPEED EXCELLERATED AND I HAD TROUBLE CONTROLING THE STEERING WHEEL , ITS MOVED IT SELF.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2017Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 10994479
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
Compact 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
303633$1,900271
Yaris
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303532$1,950278
  • Yaris
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    30 city · 36 hwy · $1,900/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Yaris
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    30 city · 35 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota Yaris Liftback 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 9791Vehicle 9146
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

2015 Yaris questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Yaris have?

4 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 2015 Toyota Yaris problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (5), service brakes (3), vehicle speed control (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Toyota Yaris get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Toyota Yaris at 32–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Toyota Yaris?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Toyota Yaris 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026