2008 Toyota YARIS: complaints, problems and recalls

2008 TOYOTA YARIS 4 DOOR, THE LEFT WIPER IS ABOUT 26 INCHES AND THE RIGHT IS 16, THKE DEFROSTER IS IN THE CENTER AND ONLY COVERS THE LEFT WIPER AND HAS NO EFFECT ON THE RIGHT WIPER. WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN SNOWY CONDITIONS THE RIGHT WIPER WILL ICE UP AND ATTACH ITSELF TO THE WINDSHIELD, THEREFORE MAKING THE LEFT ONE NOT WORK EITHER. THE ONLY THING TO DO IS TO PULL OVER AND CLEAR IT BUT THAT IS ALSO AND AND ISSUE ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE SNOW OR RIDE IT TO AN EXIT TO CLEAR IT WITH ABSOLUTELY NO VISIBILITY. IF THE WINDSHIELD HAD A HEAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 649 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211883 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SURGED DRAMATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO INCREASE HIS SPEED WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CANNOT SUFFICIENTLY OPERATE AT LOW THROTTLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,025.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215747 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,569. UPDATED 3/11/08 *CN UPDATED 03/11/08 *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,569 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217694 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP AS USUAL, IT JUST SLID. I ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND AGAINST THE DOOR. CAUSING CHEST PAIN AND SHOULDER PAIN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10234452 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER WAITING IN TRAFFIC, HAVING COME TO A STOP OR INCHING FORWARD, AS IN WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CAR DIES WHEN GAS IS APPLIED TO MOVE FORWARD. MORE DIFFICULT IF ON AN INCLINE. FEELS AS IF THE CAR MIGHT DIE. BACKING UP ON AN INCLINE WHEN GOING SLOWLY TRYING NOT TO RUN INTO FOR INSTANCE THE GARAGE, FREQUENTLY STALLS OR DIES COMPLETELY. CANNOT PREDICT WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, BUT HAPPENS TWO TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED, BUT COULD BECAUSE OF NEED TO MOVE QUICKLY IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT…

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242025 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT THE CAR ON MARCH OF 2008 (TOYOTA YARIS SPORT 4DR SEDAN) AS BRAND NEW. NOTE - BRAND NEW. AFTER DRIVING AROUND FOR 4 MONTHS, MY AIR CONDITIONING SMELLS LIKE VINEGAR EVERYTIME I TURN IT ON. LATER ON, THE SMELL WORSEN; IT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN VOMIT. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY SMELLED NOTHING. I WAS CONFUSED. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP, THE SMELL REMAINS THE SAME. AFTER 5 MONTHS OF DRIVING, ONE DAY WHEN I WAS AT SCHOOL, I WAS WALKING TO MY CAR AND GOT IN (IT WAS A HOT DAY) I TURNED ON THE AC AND IT BARELY BLOW AIR. MENTION AIR; ITS…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10245818 at NHTSA ↗

ON OCT 29, 2008 ABOUT 10:00 AM MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK, TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND ON 7TH ST. IN VICTORVILLE CA. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR WHEN A FORD F150 TRUCK MADE AN LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF HER FROM THE NORTH BOUND LANE MY WIFE COLLIDED WITH THIS TRUCK. FRONT END COLLISION OF THE YARIS HITTING THE TRUCK ON THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL. DOING DAMAGE TO THE TRUCKS FRONT RIGHT QUARTER PANEL. DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA YARIS, BENDING AND SMASHING THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER, PUSHING THE HOO…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247239 at NHTSA ↗

MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING ON THE ON-RAMP OF I-57 IN ILLINOIS. HER 2008 YARIS, HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND HER CAR CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. SHE WAS TAKE BY AMBULANCE TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE WAS ADMITTED FOR 2 DAYS AND RELEASED TO ME. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DISENGAGED CAUSING DEEP VISIBLE PURPLE BURSTS TO HER CHEST THROUGH HER INSULATED DOWN JACKET. THE IMPRINT OF THE SQUARE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS STILL VISIBLE ON HER CHEST. SHE IS A SENIOR CITIZEN, AND IS STILL IN VERY SERIOUS PAIN. NO ONE ELS…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,596 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257366 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-06-15 (June 15, 2009)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2012-10-10 (October 10, 2012)

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

Consequence: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2014-04-09 (April 9, 2014)

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 housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

Consequence: 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 necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

Remedy: 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. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2014-04-09 (April 9, 2014)

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 22, 2005, through May 12, 2010, and 2008-2010 Scion xD vehicles manufactured April 4, 2007, through May 12, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the springs used for the seat rails on the driver's seat and the seat rails of the front passenger seat of three-door models may break.

Consequence: If the spring breaks, the seat may not lock in position. In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat could move increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat rail, and replace it with a new one, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2015-10-22 (October 22, 2015)

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

Consequence: 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 assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.

Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)

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, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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 assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

Reported: 2017-01-09 (January 9, 2017)

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, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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 bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).

Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)

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 GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.