Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Yaris, and it carries 10 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 88 | 40% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 5% |
| Suspension | 9 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 4% |
| Power train | 6 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 2% |
| Air bags | 4 | 2% |
| Seats | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Car was in park, ignition off, with the keys removed. The gear shift could apparently move in this locked position and the vehicle rolled backwards with a 6 year old child in the car. The car was totaled after hitting a
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated that the vehicle unintendedly shifted from park by accidentally touching the gear selector with a knee or hand without the brake pedal being depressed. There were
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The rear subframe is cracked 3/4 way through. And there is a hole rusted through behind the tire. Just found it this week when replacing wheel bearing.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
My brakes have failed me many times. I had to eventually get those change in the brakes still aren’t working completely correct
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated while the vehicle was receiving routine maintenance, the mechanic stated that the chain sprockets on both camshafts were worn. The vehicle was not repaired. The ma
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated while a friend was driving approximately 30 MPH, the rear axle fractured at the welds. The rear wheels went into the wheel well. There were no warning lights illum
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
A FRAME THAT HOLDS ENGINE IN VEHICLE IS ROTTED LOOKS LIKE SWISS CHEEZE IT SHOULD BE MADE OUT OF CAST IRON THATS A SAFETY ISSUE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Airbags did not deploy in passenger-side car accident. Neither passenger airbags nor driver airbags.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Yaris. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-asse
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,
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 20
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag ass
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module
Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically nece
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. To
| Reliability raw | 50 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 91 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 54 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 88 of them (40%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 50/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.