repaired · 2021 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2008 Toyota YarisProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 218 owner complaints about the 2008 Toyota Yaris, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-689 the manufacturer reports only 46% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 1, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Toyota Yaris has problems
218 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
107Air bags32 crash/fire/injury
22Service brakes8 crash/fire/injury
20Vehicle speed control9 crash/fire/injury
18Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
16Suspension
12Service brakes, hydraulic
10Structure
9Seats
9Engine and engine cooling
6015 other systems18 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 107 | 32 |
| Service brakes | 22 | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 3 |
| Suspension | 16 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 12 | 3 |
| Structure | 10 | 4 |
| Seats | 9 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 1 |
| 15 other systems | 60 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2008 Toyota Yaris recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch…
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2016 Q2
Seats
Risk. If the spring breaks, the seat may not lock in position.
repaired · 2016 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
65kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 39 air bags complaints. 74% were reported before 100,000 miles.
7under 30k miles29under 100k miles10100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Yaris year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Yaris median. How we score
'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Toyota Yaris safety ratings
2008 Toyota Yaris 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Toyota Yaris, and the recalls they led to.
- Power Window Master Switch FireLed to recall 12V-491
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Power Window Master Switch FireNo recall
In owners' words
What Yaris owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My fiancee bought her 2008 Toyota Yaris on about the 26 Apr 2021. Right off she had brake failure pretty quickly after buying the car. Brake pads were suspected of failing. When the front tires were removed the calipers had built up thick rust on inside surface where the pads sit on both front…
I WAS GOING 15-20 MPH ON ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY AND ACCIDENTALLY VEERED RIGHT HITTING THE GUARD RAIL ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, RESULTING IN MY FACE HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL, BREAKING MY NOSE AND CUTTING MY LIP.
I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET MY CAR'S AIRBAG RECALL DONE AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THIS IS PROBABLY THE 4-6TH TIME I TOOK IT AND WAS EXTREMELY PATIENT WITH THEM GETTING IT TO BE REPAIRED. I CONTINUE TO GET THESE LETTERS IN THE MAIL THAT MY CAR STILL HAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS.…
Own a 2008 Yaris?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.