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2009 Toyota Yaris Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Toyota Yaris has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front and rear suspension control-arm and axle fracture.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Toyota Yaris.

Reported to NHTSA

Front and rear suspension control-arm and axle fracture

SUSPENSION

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2024-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT NUMBER TWO FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10785522
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AXLE FRACTURED MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11329509
“I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED SOME STRANGE CLUNKING, POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISES COMING FROM MY CAR. AFTER HAVING MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BOLT WAS BROKEN AND PART OF IT REMAINS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10722412

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake performance loss and ABS malfunction

SERVICE BRAKES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2014-12

“I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA YARIS (CA. 30K MILES) HOME FROM WORK UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. AS I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT, I WAS ALARMED TO FIND THAT THE BRAKES WERE COMPROMISED AND THE BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10384255
“I WAS DECELERATING ON A DOWNHILL SHORTENED EXIT RAMP, GOING FROM 70 MPH TO A STOP WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET . WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE "METAL TO METAL" AND THE VEHICLE BARELY STOPPED BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10502644
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10663120

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in frontal and side crashes

AIR BAGS

20 NHTSA complaints · 2009-05 → 2022-11

“I HIT A SNOW BANK LEFT BEHIND BY A SNOWPLOW GOING 50 MPH AND AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WAS ON A HIGHWAY, IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11398119
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10874390
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10269955

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag and seat-rail recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

32 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2023-04

“TAKATA RECALL. I WAS ISSUED A RECALL THAT HAS YET TO BE REMEDIED THAT MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR A PASSENGER IN MY CAR. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DRIVE IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE THAT I DEPEND ON TO GET TO WORK EVERY DAY?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10899201
“(TAKATA RECALL) THIS RECALL HAS BEEN OPEN FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS NOW AND IT IS VERY SERIOUS. THE REMEDY IS NOT AVAILABLE YET. I HAVE VISITED MY LOCAL DEALER IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA AND THEY TOLD ME TOYOTA DID NOT PROVIDE THE PARTS YET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10897362
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V169000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10717003

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and sticking accelerator pedal

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

12 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2016-05

“I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TWICE NOW WHERE I TRY TO PASS SOMEONE ON INTERSTATE 79 NORTHBOUND FROM PITTSBURGH TO CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP PA AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND ONCE I GET TO SPEED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR GOES TO 80 + PER HOUR BEFORE I CAN GET IT TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864470
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA YARIS. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO EXCEEDED 90 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10313781
“AT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR GAVE NO RESPONSE AND THE CAR RAPIDLY SLOWED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10324161

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

94 crashes 1990–2024

How the 94 occupant deaths break down

75

driver deaths

18

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

94

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2009 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

25

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Toyota Yaris reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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