Is the 2008 Toyota Yaris a bad year?
218 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Yaris years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Toyota Yaris are in line with other Yaris years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Yaris owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 107 (49%) | 40k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 34 (16%) | 32k–87k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 20 (9%) | 16k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 18 (8%) | 39k–81k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 16 (7%) | 60k–150k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 14 (6%) | 18k–93k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structure | 10 (5%) | 39k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (4%) | 54k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 218 complaints: 51 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 36 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2008 Toyota Yaris: 10
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts. If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. If the spring breaks, the seat may not lock in position. In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat could move increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
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). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated.
The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. This does not meet the standard requirements.
These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 82
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Toyota Yaris. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
Some vehicles may exhibit a squealing noise coming from the engine compartment during the engine start-up
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Neighbouring years
2007 Yaris: 258 complaints, keep it · 2009 Yaris: 92 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Yaris year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Yaris years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Toyota Yaris a bad year?
218 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Yaris years. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Yaris?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (107), brakes (34), speed control (20), electrical system (18), suspension (16).
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Yaris have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-741), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-006), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-340), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 15V-689) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.