Research · Compact Cars

2017 Toyota YarisRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota Yaris. Most complaints involve air bags (4) and vehicle speed control (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
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
15
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

EquipmentReported Jun 28, 2019NHTSA 19V503000

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

Tires: temporary

Free remedy

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

TiresReported May 2, 2017NHTSA 17V295000
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 · Feb 2017 – Sep 2020
  1. Air bags4
  2. Vehicle speed control3
  3. Service brakes2
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Engine2
  6. Power train2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Tires1
  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
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
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

4 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER WHICH CAUSED HER VEHICLE TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AT THE REAR AND THE FRONT, AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS YET TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION ON WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED KNEE AND FACE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MATTHEWS MOTORS WILMINGTON DEALER (5723 MARKET ST, WILMINGTON, NC 28405) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11352864

Vehicle speed control

3 reports
“I RECENTLY BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THEN 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL. SO MY ISSUE IS WHEN I'M AT A LIGHT AND I'M IN DRIVE OR REVERSE YOU CAN SEE THE RPM JUMP AROUND TO ABOUT 400 TO 700 AND THE CAR STARTS TO VIBRATE SHAKING THE CAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 23,XXX MILES ON IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2018Vehicle speed controlODI 11156977

Service brakes

2 reports1 crash
“MY VEHICLE HAS 21K MILES 2017 BOUGHT NEW AND THE FRONT ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I DRIVE LOCAL, AND I AM BEING TOLD HARD STOPS ON BRAKES WILL OVERHEAT THE ROTORS. I DO NOT DRIVE AT 90MPH THEN JAM ON THE BRAKES. I DO NOT DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CANNOT DRIVE AFTER DUSK. I BELIEVE THE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. I NOTICE WHEN I DRIVE 10 MILES AND BACK THE ROTORS ARE TO HOT TO TOUCH, THEY ARE OVERHEATING. I CALLED TOYOTA USA AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME. I SHOULD NOT BE REPLACING ROTORS AT 21K MILES. I HAD A 2008 YARIS AND DROVE THAT CAR FOR 5.5 YEARS AND I NEVER REPLACED ROTORS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2019Service brakesODI 11230330
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 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 11801Vehicle 11137
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

2017 Yaris questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Toyota Yaris have?

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 2017 Toyota Yaris problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (4), vehicle speed control (3), service brakes (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Toyota Yaris get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Toyota Yaris at 32–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Toyota Yaris?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Toyota Yaris 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026