NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Yaris. Most complaints involve service brakes (2) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 32–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“MY ACELERATOR PEDAL IS SO SMALL AND I HAD ALMOST AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE DURING A TRIP MY FOOT GOT STUCK UNDERNEAT THE PEDAL, I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE AT TIME BUT IT WAS HARD TO CHANGE TO THE BRAKES CAUSE IT TOOK LIKE A SECOND TO REMOVE MY FOOT, ALSO SOMETIMES I NEED TO SPEED FASTER TO CHANGE A LANE TO AVOID A SUDDEN STOP AND MY FOOT JUST JUMP FROM THE PEDAL TO UNDERNEAT IT, THAT PEDAL IS A DANGER AND IS A PROBABLY CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. IS THE SIZE OF MAYBE A LITTLE LAPTOP MOUSE INSTEAD TO BE A FULL PEDAL GOING FROM THE FLOOR TO THE TOP.”
“WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. ENTIRE SENSOR OF THE FRONT WERE TORN OFF AND STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY SISTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS DRIVING AND CRASHED AT 35MPH ON A CITY STREER AND CRASH INTO A STOP LIGHT AND SIGN BECAUSE SOMEONE TOOK A RED ON HER GREEN AND SHE SWERVED TO NOT HIT ANYONE.”
“I DROVE FROM RICHMOND CA TO LOS ANGELES ROUND TRIP. ON MY RETURN TRIP, I HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND WHEN I SAW MY PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR, IT LOOKED LIKE MY REAR BUMPER WAS GOING TO FALL. THE BUMPER WAS FLAPPING VIGOROUSLY. SOON AFTER, MY PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I STILL HAD 100 MILES TO GO ON MY TRIP. THE REAR BUMPER SEEMS POORLY DESIGNED AND NOT SECURE. I DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR ON LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. I'M A DISAPPOINTED BUYER.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yaris Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 36 | 33 | $1,900 | 271 |
| Yaris Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 35 | 32 | $1,950 | 278 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 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.
Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (2), air bags (2), structure (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Yaris at 32–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Toyota Yaris 4 out of 5 stars overall.