Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 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 | 30 | 29% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 10% |
| Seats | 6 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 6% |
| Air bags | 3 | 3% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 2% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I have been waiting since 8/26/2022 for the part to correct the recall
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Vehicle was rear-ended on November 4, 2022. The driver was wearing a seatbelt but the driver airbag did not deploy after being rear-ended. After the accident, the dashboard airbag indicator warning light turned on. The v
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the driver's side front door. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an app
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I HIT A SNOW BANK LEFT BEHIND BY A SNOWPLOW GOING 50 MPH AND AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WAS ON A HIGHWAY, IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I AM LOCATED IN STRASSEN, LUXEMBOURG (EUROPE) AND TAKE MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (TOYOTA, 6 ZAI BOURMICHT, L8070 BERTRANGE) HERE FOR SERVICE. I AM RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES DECEMBER 2020 AND REQUIRE ALL RECAL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AXLE FRACTURED MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CAUSE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION INTO A UTILITY POLE ON A TWO LANE ROADWAY. I WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS IN MY CAR. I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF THE COLLISION ITSELF BUT NO OTHER CAR WAS FOUND TO BE INVOLVED. THE DRIVERS SI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING WELL AND ALSO THE TYRE SENSOR IS SHOWING ON THE SCREEN WHILES TYRE PRESSURE ARE IN GOOD CONDITIONS
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2009 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 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan),
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 the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or r
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
| Reliability raw | 56 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 91 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 55 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 30 of them (29%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 56/100 (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 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. 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.