Is the 2016 Toyota YARIS reliable?

The 2016 Toyota YARIS has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Toyota YARIS?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (2 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (2 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Toyota YARIS?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, TIRES. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Toyota YARIS?

The 2016 Toyota YARIS gets 33 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1455. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Toyota YARIS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Toyota YARIS is approximately $1,404/year (sedan-compact class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Toyota YARIS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2016 Toyota YARIS has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 22. The most common issue is air bags problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owned a 2016 toyota yaris. the contact stated that after becoming dizzy and attempting to pull over at 55 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle. as a result, the contact crashed into a ditch. the air bags failed to deploy. a police report was filed. the contact sustained a cra. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

4 crash reports 7 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

25%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BECOMING DIZZY AND ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRA
• WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. ENTIRE SENSOR OF THE FRONT WERE TORN OFF AND STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY SISTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS DRIVING AND CRASHED AT 35MPH ON A CITY STREER AND CRASH INTO A STO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BECOMING DIZZY AND ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW23/04/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Yaris vehicles. The wire harnesses for the side air bag sensors located within the front doors may crack and corrode, possibly causing the non-deployment or improper deployment of the front seat side air bags and the curtain shield air bags.

Risk: In the event of a crash, front seat side air bags and curtain shield air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wire harness assembly in the front doors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is K1F/K0F.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Toyota YARIS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,455

Per month

$121

Per mile

12.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,334/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Toyota YARIS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,404

Full coverage / month

$117

Liability only / year

$589

vs US avg

-16%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-compact)0.93x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1404

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota YARIS Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2016 YARIS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BECOMING DIZZY AND ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: I DROVE FROM RICHMOND CA TO LOS ANGELES ROUND TRIP. ON MY RETURN TRIP, I HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND WHEN I SAW MY PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR, IT LOOKED LIKE MY REAR BUMPER WAS GOING TO FALL. THE BUMPER WAS FLAPPING VIGOROUSLY. SOON AFTER, MY PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I STILL HAD 100 MILES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. ENTIRE SENSOR OF THE FRONT WERE TORN OFF AND STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY SISTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS DRIVING AND CRASHED AT 35MPH ON A CITY STREER AND CRASH INTO A STO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT AND MY YARIS HAS LESS THAN 37,000 MILES.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)