2012
20142nd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: airbags
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 32–33 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Honda Fit 1772013 Nissan Versa 492013 Hyundai Accent 53
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 15V134000 (body structure) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Toyota sent dealers 211 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system…”?
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 7 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 28K to 59K miles (45K to 95K km) on the car (5 of all 7 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.
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 2013 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 211 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system…
- Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- 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.
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
Safety

Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris Liftback 3 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Toyota Yaris Liftback 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,800–$1,900 (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. 2013 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 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-yaris/?y=2013" 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/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Toyota Yaris reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 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).
What are the most common 2013 Toyota Yaris problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (43%), fuel system (14%) and brakes (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Yaris have?
1 safety recall (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Toyota Yaris get?
32 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 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 2013 Toyota Yaris have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Toyota Yaris cost in fuel a year?
About $1,800 to $1,900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Toyota Yaris have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Toyota Yaris year than the 2013?
Not nearby: the 2013 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Toyota Yaris years within 3 model years of it.
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