The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
34 owner complaints, first 3 years 31–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Honda Fit 1112009 Nissan Versa 1012009 Hyundai Accent
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 904 and 33,000 miles (1,500–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 34 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V741000 (airbags), 18V024000 (airbags) and 17V006000 (airbags) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Toyota sent dealers 155 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 34 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 33K miles (1K to 53K km) on the car (31 of all 34 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
This vehicle does not deactivate cruise control unless you stomp on the foot brake. Light application never does it.
2009 Toyota Yaris owner · NHTSA complaint 10310865
More owner reports
Air bag failure on a 2009 Toyota Yaris involved in head on collision with a guard rail.
NHTSA complaint 10377909
2009 Yaris has demonstrated unintended acceleration on two occasions with different drivers. It did respond after hard braking. This was after disengagement of cruise control.
NHTSA complaint 10316556
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 16.0M views · 2007–2011 Toyota Yaris
- Oil changes & service501K views
Oil Change 2008 Toyota YarisChannel 1 · 220K views · 4 videos - Starter, alternator & belts345K views
How To Change a SERPENTINE BELT On A 2007 Toyota Yaris!!!Driven Daily Gaming · 138K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical333K views
2007 TOYOTA YARIS LOW IDLE DIAG & FIX(battery light on)Super Mario Diagnostics · 177K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors248K views
Replacing Roof Drip Molding (2007 Toyota Yaris)burrheadjr · 239K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
- Steering & suspension138K views
HOW TO: Change 2007-2014 Toyota Yaris Front Control ArmsBG Garage · 68K views · 3 videos - Timing chain & engine121K views
Step-by-Step Guide: Toyota Yaris 2008 Head Unit & Reverse Camera Upgrade InstallationWLF Customs · 121K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition74K views
2007 Toyota yaris no start diyNova Scotia Guy · 74K views
Before you buy, watch
Toyota Yaris hatchback 2006 - 2011 review - CarBuyerCarbuyer · 779K views
When cars were small, reliable, affordable // 2010 Toyota Yaris ReviewKirk Kreifels · 50K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 155 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the…
- When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in…
- Discusses Southeast Toyota Accessory Keyless Entry system General trouble shooting and revised…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 10 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
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).
- Seats · recall issued 2014
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.
- Equipment · recall issued 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 S…
- Equipment · recall issued 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 BETW…
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPower window master switch fire2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,900–$1,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota Yaris year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Toyota Yaris years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-yaris/?y=2009" title="Toyota Yaris reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-yaris/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Toyota Yaris reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Toyota Yaris reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 66; 100 is average, lower is better). The Toyota Yaris year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2013.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota Yaris problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (35%), airbags (26%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Yaris have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Toyota Yaris get?
31 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Yaris problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 904 and 33,000 miles (1,500–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 34 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Toyota Yaris have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Toyota Yaris cost in fuel a year?
About $1,900 to $1,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Toyota Yaris have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Yaris year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2013 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works