The Lemon Index
2010
20132nd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: airbags
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 31–33 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Honda Fit 522012 Nissan Versa 1182012 Hyundai Accent 60
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V741000 (airbags), 18V025000 (airbags) and 17V006000 (airbags) done? It has 5 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?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Toyota sent dealers 200 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On some hatchback, when driving and passenger seat is unoccupied, passenger airbag off light will”?
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 8 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 26K to 56K miles (42K to 90K km) on the car (7 of all 8 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
Tire pressure monitoring system did not work at delivery, dealer has had many excuses not to repair. This should be a warranty item.
2012 Toyota Yaris owner · NHTSA complaint 10546453
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 19.5M views · 2012–2019 Toyota Yaris
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring261K views
Toyota Yaris TPMS Reset - How to Turn Off Tire Pressure Light (2018)Luke Mods · 141K views · 4 videos - Oil changes & service258K views
How to Reset Required Maintenance on a 2013 Toyota YarisCarlos Altamirano · 129K views · 4 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors245K views
How To Clean (MAF) Mass Air Flow sensor 2006-2019 Toyota YarisChannel 1 · 213K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical95K views
2013 Toyota Yaris change key battery HOW TOThe Car Key Man · 95K views
Show 3 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door76K views
2017 Toyota Yaris How to replace cabin air Filter / MaintenanceOil Light Reset · 76K views - Windows, doors & mirrors55K views
How to remove the door panel Toyota Yaris 2013DFC Garage · 55K views - Brakes & ABS36K views
2016 - 2022 Toyota Yaris / Mazda 2 Front brake pads replacementBrian Balatbat · 19K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2018 Toyota Yaris LE Review - Cheap, Reliable Transportation!Shooting Cars · 39K views
2014 Toyota Vios / Yaris Sedan FULL REVIEW (Interior, Exterior, Exhaust, Engine)PatrickReyesTV · 454K views
Toyota Yaris 2017 (ENG) - Test Drive and ReviewMarek Drives in English · 317K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 200 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some hatchback, when driving and passenger seat is unoccupied, passenger airbag off light will
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- 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 5 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a roof headliner that does not provide the proper occupant protection in the event of a crash.
- Steering · recall issued 2013
A relay in the Power Steering Control Module of the electronic power steering system could experience a short circuit due to insufficient distance between terminals in the relay and moisture contamination of relay coil w…
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
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris Liftback 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Yaris Liftback 3 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Toyota Yaris 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,800–$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. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-yaris/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Toyota Yaris reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Toyota Yaris reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 23; 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 2012 Toyota Yaris problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (50%), wheels (25%) and wipers & visibility (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Yaris have?
5 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 2012 Toyota Yaris get?
31 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Toyota Yaris safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2012 Toyota Yaris have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Toyota Yaris cost in fuel a year?
About $1,800 to $1,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Toyota Yaris have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Toyota Yaris year than the 2012?
Not nearby: the 2012 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Toyota Yaris years within 3 model years of it. 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