Is the 2012 Toyota Yaris a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
B+8.5/10
The 2012 Toyota Yaris is a solid, no-nonsense choice for a used car, especially if fuel efficiency and reliability are top priorities.
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Pros
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- Reliable and easy to maintain
- Compact size good for urban driving
Cons
- Basic interior
- Underpowered engine
- Limited features in base models
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
30 mpg
Maintenance cost
$1,200/yr
Expected lifespan
300,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Dashboard rattles
- Brake system warning light issues
- Premature wear on struts
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (5)
The 2012 Toyota Yaris has 5 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Steering — Electric Power Assist System (campaign 13V292000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module — On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado…
- Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module — Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles…
- Structure — Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 31, 2011, to February 9, 2015, and sold or registered in Puerto Rico. The affected vehicles m…
- Steering — Electric Power Assist System — Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 21, 2011, through August 31, 2011. A relay in the Power Steering Control Module of the electronic power steering system could experience a s…
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.