Before you buy a used Toyota Yaris (III).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 10 documented, sourced faults across its 3 engines.
- 2 of them depend on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 7 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.
- Period mentioned
- 2011–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Toyota Yaris (III): known faults of the chassis, steering and brakes according to L'argusSuspension and steering
- Period mentioned
- 2011–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Toyota Yaris (III): known faults of the electronics and interior according to L'argusElectrical and electronic systems
- Period mentioned
- 2011–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Period mentioned
- 2011–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
1.0 / 1.33 / 1.5 VVT-i
Petrol
- Period mentioned
- 2011–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Period mentioned
- Approx. 2008–2013
- Mileage mentioned
- What the sheet says: The oil level drops between services (more than half a litre per 1,000 km and up to a litre or more), usually from 150,000–200,000 km; bluish smoke.
Applies if: Only the 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE).
1.5 Hybrid
Hybrid
- Period mentioned
- 2011–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Clogged hybrid battery cooling fan and filterHigh-voltage battery
- Period mentioned
- 2003 onwards
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: The Toyota USA bulletin does not list this model, but its hybrid battery is also cooled with cabin air through a filter.
1.4 D-4D
Diesel
- Period mentioned
- Approx. 2001–2018
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Period mentioned
- 2011–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.33 / 1.5 VVT-iPetrol | 61 with conditions | 6 |
| 1.5 HybridHybrid | 61 with conditions | 7 |
| 1.4 D-4DDiesel | 6 | 6 |
According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Toyota dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Toyota airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2024)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota brake recalls (2000–2025)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota steering recalls (2004–2018)Steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota fuel-system recalls (2002–2026)Fuel system
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota engine, transmission and software recalls (2002–2026)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2004–2025)Electrical and electronic systems
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2004–2026)Suspension and steering
Engines: 1.5 Hybrid (Hybrid)
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 10 checked
Engine
Look out for: [1.0 VVT-i] Engine knocking (up to 10/01/2014); [1.0 VVT-i] Engine warning light on; [1.33 VVT-i] Will not start and excessive oil consumption (up to 04/02/2013), or even a scraping noise from the engine (up to 28/01/2014); [1.33 VVT-i] Timing noise at idle when cold
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Look out for: Ready mode unavailable in very low temperatures (up to 21/02/2017); White smoke, abnormal noise and overheating (until the end of production)
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Look out for: Blue smoke and oil consumption (over 0.5 l per 1,000 km); Loss of power (up to 31/01/2013); Oil level rises and the particulate filter clogs; Hard starting and knocking from ice forming in the intercooler (up to 28/01/2014); Engine warning light on (up to May 2018); Oil leak (up to February 2016)
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Look out for: The oil level drops between services (more than half a litre per 1,000 km and up to a litre or more), usually from 150,000–200,000 km; bluish smoke.
Ask them to check: Check the history for oil top-ups or replaced pistons; measure consumption between two changes and check the spark plugs.
Gearbox
Look out for: MM-T 6 automated gearbox light on and gears will not engage on the 1.4 D-4D (up to May 2012); Hard gear changes (up to June 2013); Clutch pedal sticks and leaks on the 1.4 D-4D (up to June 2024); Hard to engage 4th, 5th and 6th; Abnormal noise from the 6-speed manual (up to 01/09/2013); Clutch squeak and hard gear changes on the 1.0 with the 5-speed manual (up to December 2016); Hard to engage 1st (6-speed manual)
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Suspension and steering
Look out for: Brake fluid leak (up to June 2014)
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Electrical and electronic systems
Look out for: Airbag light on intermittently; Ignition key hard to turn (from May 2014 to September 2018)
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Bodywork
Look out for: Boot hard to close (up to July 2014)
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Injection / turbo
Look out for: Hard starting, rough idle, smoke and loss of power; noise or vibration from the flywheel when starting and releasing the clutch; oil consumption.
Ask them to check: Read the codes, run an injector back-leak test and check the EGR. Listen to the flywheel at idle with the clutch released. Measure oil consumption.
High-voltage battery
Look out for: Hybrid battery cooling maintenance message, warning light with codes P0A80 or P0A7F, a noisy fan and less electric assistance; if ignored, the battery ages faster.
Ask them to check: Clean or replace the filter and clean the fan before condemning the battery; keep the intake grille clear. At the garage, read the codes and, if needed, install the software Toyota specifies.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Toyota Yaris (III) 1.0 / 1.33 / 1.5 VVT-i: known faults of the engine according to L'argus
- Toyota Yaris (III): known faults of the gearbox and transmission according to L'argus
- Toyota Yaris (III): known faults of the chassis, steering and brakes according to L'argus
- Toyota Yaris (III): known faults of the electronics and interior according to L'argus
- Toyota Yaris (III): known faults of the body according to L'argus
- Toyota Yaris (III) 1.5 Hybrid: known faults of the engine according to L'argus
- Injectors, dual-mass flywheel and oil consumption on the 1.4 D-4D (1ND-TV)
- Toyota Yaris (III) 1.4 D-4D: known faults of the engine according to L'argus
- Oil consumption on the 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE)
- Clogged hybrid battery cooling fan and filter
- Toyota airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2024)
- Toyota brake recalls (2000–2025)
- Toyota steering recalls (2004–2018)
- Toyota fuel-system recalls (2002–2026)
- Toyota engine, transmission and software recalls (2002–2026)
- Toyota electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2004–2025)
- Toyota wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2004–2026)
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