AI Damage2011 Toyota Yaris: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Toyota Yaris filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 84% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 4% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 4% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 21 complaints (84% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 2 complaints (8% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (4% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (4% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 21 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I turned my wheel so I wouldn't hit straight to the trees and the ditch but once I turned the wheel I felt the car being pushed like the wind blew on it and next thing I feel the car was hit and rolling down the ditch and the airbags didn't deploy.
Engine was on fire department had to take him out of the car unconscious and the wheels where twists. Car was destroyed was unbelievable how the car was left. Car should be returned or taken of market. Its not safe car. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The passenger side airbag off light with not shut off as well as the srs light. Both passenger and driver were in seat.
I have toyota yaris sedan 2011. I buy this car in the dealer toyota bayamon pr I feel the car very slippery and uncomfortable. When the mechanic check he tell me this car do not have abs esc ect. Just have 2 air bags in front.
The front end shakes at a low speed took it to a mechanic he can't figure it out.
2011 toyota yaris. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle trunk lid problems. The consumer stated the trunk lid would come down on his head, when there was a slight breeze or when parked facing up a steep hill. The dealer informed the consumer, replacing the existing trunk springs would not remedy the problem.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,448 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Yaris has 43 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 25, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
- Yaris 20065 sources
- Yaris 2007258 sources
- Yaris 2008218 sources
- Yaris 200992 sources
- Yaris 201090 sources
- Yaris 201235 sources
- Yaris 20139 sources
- Yaris 20143 sources
- Yaris 201515 sources
- Yaris 2016113 sources
- Yaris 2017114 sources
- Yaris 201888 sources
- Yaris 2019110 sources
- Yaris 202077 sources
- Yaris 202313 sources
- Yaris 20243 sources
- Yaris 20253 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota Yaris?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, suspension, electrical system. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (4%), airbags did not deploy (4%), rollaway, parking brake (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Toyota Yaris?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Toyota Yaris from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.