TOYOTA YARIS · model year

2012 TOYOTA YARIS

47 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012TOYOTAYARIS carries 47 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 1 fire, 14 injuries, and 1 fatality. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 YARIS is air bags with 17 filings, followed by wheels (4) and electrical system (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2012 YARIS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

47
Complaints
15
Crashes
1
Fires
14
Injuries
1
Deaths
2012 TOYOTA YARIS — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2012 TOYOTA YARIS. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

47 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS17
WHEELS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SERVICE BRAKES2
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
SEATS1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN1
ENGINE1
STRUCTURE1
SUSPENSION1

Recalls (5)

19V74100017/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 GX4

15V13400009/03/2015

STRUCTURE

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

18V02500009/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, K

17V00600009/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,

13V29200003/07/2013

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 21, 2011, through August 31, 2011. A relay in the Power Steering Control Module of the electronic power steering system could experience a short circuit due to insufficient distance between terminals in the relay and moi

Recent Complaints

20220513CrashSEAT BELTS

The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Yaris The contact stated that while slowing down and coming to a stoplight, a second vehicle traveling 54 mph crashed into the rear of the vehicle. During the crash, both the driver-side and passenger-side seat belts malfunctioned and did not secure the occupants. The driver sustained head and torso injuries and the front passenger who was the driver's wife sustained broken ribs, and head and spine injuries. Medical attention was received. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,200.

Mileage: 76,200

20220502CrashAIR BAGS

I was driving a 2012 yaris when I was in an accident that totaled the vehicles. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks which I believe the airbags had played a major role in the seriousness of the injuries I sustained but not sure how to prove that they failed to protect me and possible they made things worse with the scar across my forehead from being sliced open needing numerous staples as well as shattered pelvis. Is there any way by looking at the pictures can you tell me if the air bags did their job

20201215SERVICE BRAKES

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND HAD TO BRAKE FOR SLOWER TRAFFIC AHEAD. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED, BRAKING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, THEN THE RIGHT ALMOST SENDING ME OFF THE ROAD. AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED, THE SPEEDOMETER HAD STARTED JUMPING TO DIFFERENT SPEEDS VERY RAPIDLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO TELL MY CORRECT SPEED. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE CONTINUED TO ENGAGE RANDOMLY WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED, CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL AND THE OVERALL ABILITY TO COME TO A STOP. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO JUMPS AROUND EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE ABS LIGHT WAS ONLY TRIGGERED ONCE, AND THEN TURNED OFF.

Mileage: 87,600

20201215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND HAD TO BRAKE FOR SLOWER TRAFFIC AHEAD. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED, BRAKING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, THEN THE RIGHT ALMOST SENDING ME OFF THE ROAD. AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED, THE SPEEDOMETER HAD STARTED JUMPING TO DIFFERENT SPEEDS VERY RAPIDLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO TELL MY CORRECT SPEED. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE CONTINUED TO ENGAGE RANDOMLY WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED, CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL AND THE OVERALL ABILITY TO COME TO A STOP. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO JUMPS AROUND EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE ABS LIGHT WAS ONLY TRIGGERED ONCE, AND THEN TURNED OFF.

Mileage: 87,600

20200706CrashAIR BAGS

ON MY WAY HOME, A 70'S TRUCK HIT MY LEFT SIDE, THE AIRBAG CAME OUT BLIND ME AND MADE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICULE. IS A MIRACLE THAT IM ALIVE. HAPPENED AT PR132 KM0.4 GUAYANILLA PR 00656.

Mileage: 163,600

20200706CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

ON MY WAY HOME, A 70'S TRUCK HIT MY LEFT SIDE, THE AIRBAG CAME OUT BLIND ME AND MADE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICULE. IS A MIRACLE THAT IM ALIVE. HAPPENED AT PR132 KM0.4 GUAYANILLA PR 00656.

Mileage: 163,600

20200706CrashWHEELS

ON MY WAY HOME, A 70'S TRUCK HIT MY LEFT SIDE, THE AIRBAG CAME OUT BLIND ME AND MADE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICULE. IS A MIRACLE THAT IM ALIVE. HAPPENED AT PR132 KM0.4 GUAYANILLA PR 00656.

Mileage: 163,600

20200308VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SALUDOS CUANDO ME DETENGO LAS REVOLUCIONES BAJAN MUCHOS EL CARRO EMPIEZA A TEMBLAR Y HACE COMO PARA APAGARSE

20190608CrashFatalAIR BAGS

[XXX] ON JUNE 3,17 WAS IN A FATAL AUTO COLLIONS THAT COSTED HER LIFE.THE AUTO WAS TOWED TO HAYS TOWING IN SAN BERNADINO CA. AT:5486 INDUSTRIAL PKWY. SAN BERNARDINO CA 92407. POLICE REPORT [XXX]*DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT*JB

20190222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2012 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES TO RECOMMEND RECALLING VEHICLE MODEL BECAUSE OF ITS MANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *AS *TR

20190222STRUCTURE

2012 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES TO RECOMMEND RECALLING VEHICLE MODEL BECAUSE OF ITS MANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *AS *TR

20190222SUSPENSION

2012 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES TO RECOMMEND RECALLING VEHICLE MODEL BECAUSE OF ITS MANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *AS *TR

20190222VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2012 TOYOTA YARIS. CONSUMER WRITES TO RECOMMEND RECALLING VEHICLE MODEL BECAUSE OF ITS MANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *AS *TR

20181207WHEELS

DRIVING DOWN HWY 94....WITH 4 CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A MASSIVE CHUNK OF SOME TYPE OF HARD DEBRIS....THE CAR THUMPED SO HARD AND SCARED US ALL.!!!! WE CONTINUED ON TO CHURCH AT ASSUMPTION IN ST PAUL AFTERWARDS WE DROVE OFF TO LEAVE AND FELT THE CAR FLAPPING...WE HAD TO PULL OVER IN A TURN LANE DOWNTOWN ST PAUL GOT OUT AND SAW WE HAD A FLAT TIRE...AFTER A LOT OF WORK AND TIME...WAITING AND GETTING HELP WHEN WE GOT THE TIRE OFF THE RIM WAS BENT!!! THE SMALL SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ON...I HAD TO HAVE THE RIM REPLACED WHICH HAD TO BE PUT ON ORDER AND THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED THAT WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS AGO THAT I GOT IT!! I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND RIM..THEY DO NOT FIT IN THE FILE HERE.

Mileage: 187

20180926ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1809260488. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20180410UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2012 TOYOTA . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE REPLACEMENT PARTS ISSUES. CONSUMER HAS DIFFERENT VEHICLE ISSUES IN ARTEMIS. *SMD *CN

20180318CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED IN FRONT OF A RESTAURANT.

Mileage: 68,000

20180317STRUCTURE:BODY

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR HATCH GLASS HAS BLOWN OUT TWICE WITH NO UNDERSTANDING HOW IT COULD OF HAPPENED BOTH TIMES WAS WITH THE VEHICLE IN A PARKED SITUATION NO PRESSURE ON THE GLASS THE SECOND TIME MY WIFE AND DOG WERE INSIDE THE CAR WAITING FOR ME IN THE AFTERNOON TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED IT WAS JUST PARKED NO ONE IN IT AND IT HAPPENED IN THE MORNING TIME AND JUST SHATTERED MY WIFE SAID WHEN IT BLEW IT WAS LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF THE SOUND WAS VERY LOUD THERE WAS NOTHING AGAINST THE GLASS IN EITHER INCIDENT THIS HAD COST ME 375.00 DOLLARS THE FIRST TIME AND I HAVEN'T REPLACED THE GLASS ON THE SECOND TIME COSTLY REPLACEMENT IS THERE ANY HISTORY OR REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING TO OTHER TOYOTA HATCHBACKS MINE IS THE 5 DOOR MODEL PLEASE ADVISE THE INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND THEY WERE 2 YEARS APART AND IT HAPPENED THE 2ND YEAR I OWNED IT STILL HAVE IT NOW.

Mileage: 80,000

20180317VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR HATCH GLASS HAS BLOWN OUT TWICE WITH NO UNDERSTANDING HOW IT COULD OF HAPPENED BOTH TIMES WAS WITH THE VEHICLE IN A PARKED SITUATION NO PRESSURE ON THE GLASS THE SECOND TIME MY WIFE AND DOG WERE INSIDE THE CAR WAITING FOR ME IN THE AFTERNOON TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED IT WAS JUST PARKED NO ONE IN IT AND IT HAPPENED IN THE MORNING TIME AND JUST SHATTERED MY WIFE SAID WHEN IT BLEW IT WAS LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF THE SOUND WAS VERY LOUD THERE WAS NOTHING AGAINST THE GLASS IN EITHER INCIDENT THIS HAD COST ME 375.00 DOLLARS THE FIRST TIME AND I HAVEN'T REPLACED THE GLASS ON THE SECOND TIME COSTLY REPLACEMENT IS THERE ANY HISTORY OR REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING TO OTHER TOYOTA HATCHBACKS MINE IS THE 5 DOOR MODEL PLEASE ADVISE THE INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND THEY WERE 2 YEARS APART AND IT HAPPENED THE 2ND YEAR I OWNED IT STILL HAVE IT NOW.

Mileage: 80,000

20171227CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HILL AT 40 MPH, LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE TREE IN FRONT. ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES AND SUFFERED FROM CHEST CONGESTION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

Compare 2012TOYOTAYARIS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 TOYOTA YARIS have?
The 2012 TOYOTA YARIS has 47 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 1 fires, 14 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 TOYOTA YARIS?
The 2012 TOYOTA YARIS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 TOYOTA YARIS?
Yes, the 2012 TOYOTA YARIS has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 TOYOTA YARIS?
The most-complained component for the 2012 TOYOTA YARIS is AIR BAGS with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include WHEELS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2012 TOYOTA YARIS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 TOYOTA YARIS has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.