2012 Toyota Yaris
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 3dr Hatchback Ce, 4dr Sedan FWD Ce/Le/RS, 5dr Hatchback Le, 5dr Hatchback Se
- Engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 106 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 33 combined · 30 city / 36 hwy
- Length
- 153.5–169.3 in
- Curb weight
- 2,249–2,315 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 33 MPG combined — 29% better than the average 2012 compact car (25.6 MPG).
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 106 hp, versus about 170 hp for similar 2012 models.
- 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Toyota Yaris is a compact car offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 154 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 99-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,249 lb (3dr Hatchback Ce).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 33 MPG combined (30 city / 36 highway), 29% better than the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2012
- New body dimensions: 2.7 in longer, wheelbase +1.9 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Best combined MPG up from 31 to 33
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Yaris →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Ohira, Miyagi · Obu, Aichi · Kanegasaki, Iwate
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2012 Yaris configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3dr Hatchback Ce | 153.5 in | 66.9 in | 59.4 in | 98.8 in | 58.7 / 57.9 in | 2,249 lb | 62/38 |
| 4dr Sedan FWD Ce/Le/RS | 169.3 in | 66.5 in | 56.7 in | 100.4 in | 58.3 / 57.9 in | 2,315 lb | 60/40 |
| 5dr Hatchback Le | 153.5 in | 66.9 in | 59.4 in | 98.8 in | 58.7 / 57.9 in | 2,249 lb | 62/38 |
| 5dr Hatchback Se | 154.7 in | 66.9 in | 59.4 in | 98.8 in | 57.5 / 57.1 in | 2,293 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yaris | 1.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 36 / 33 | +29% | $2,050 | 269 |
| Yaris | 1.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 34 / 31 | +21% | $2,150 | 287 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Toyota Yaris.
Similar 2012 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Yaris (this car) | 33 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Mazda 3 | 32 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 32 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Ford Fiesta | 32 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Mazda 2 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Hyundai Accent | 32 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (5)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 17, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V025000 · 116,126 vehicles
- Problem
- 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, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. As of January 30, 2018, Toyota is additionally recalling 3,347 model year 2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles located in states listed above. Also included in this recall filing is 98,194 model year 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles, located throughout the U.S., that previously received a Âlike-for-like interim air bag inflator replacement. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0R (Zone B), and H0A (Zone C), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A).
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V006000 · 577,875 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Structure · Mar 9, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V134000 · 16,582 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 may have been manufactured with a roof headliner that does not provide the proper occupant protection in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 201, " Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
- Risk
- If the vehicles are equipped with a headliner that does not meet the impact requirements, there is an increased risk of occupantl injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Jul 3, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V292000 · 74 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 short circuit due to insufficient distance between terminals in the relay and moisture contamination of relay coil windings. A short circuit in the relay could disable power steering assistance.
- Risk
- If the power steering assistance shuts off, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering control module. The recall began on July 31, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Not every 2012 Toyota Yaris is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Toyota Yaris buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 16 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Structure › Body — 4 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 4 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Yaris. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Yaris years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Yaris | 35 | 161.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 10 |
| 2019 Yaris | 35 | 155.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 26 |
| 2018 Yaris | 35 | 155.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 12 |
| 2017 Yaris | 35 | 155.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 31 |
| 2016 Yaris | 33 | 155.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 5 |
| 2015 Yaris | 33 | 155.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 15 |
| 2014 Yaris | 33 | 153.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
| 2013 Yaris | 33 | 153.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 7 |
| 2011 Yaris | 31 | 150.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 22 |
| 2010 Yaris | 32 | 150.8 in | Not rated | 9 | 54 |
| 2009 Yaris | 32 | 150.8 in | Not rated | 9 | 54 |
| 2008 Yaris | 32 | 150.8 in | Not rated | 9 | 118 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →