2016 Toyota Yaris Safety Report

2016 Toyota Yaris: Good crash ratings, but critical airbag recall and reported deployment failures raise safety concerns.

5Complaints
2Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
2Crash Reports
3Injuries
Most reported components: Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes (1)Air Bags,Structure,Service Brakes (1)Structure (1)Electrical System (1)Air Bags (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Toyota Yaris

The 2016 Toyota Yaris presents a mixed safety picture, with generally good crash test ratings but a concerning recall related to airbag deployment. NHTSA crash tests awarded the vehicle an overall 4-star rating, with 4 stars for frontal impact, 5 stars for side impact, and 4 stars for rollover resistance. This indicates solid performance in controlled crash scenarios. However, the vehicle has been subject to two recalls, one of which directly impacts critical safety equipment: the side/window airbags. This recall (NHTSA ID: 17V-295) addresses potential cracking and corrosion in the wire harnesses for side airbag sensors, which could prevent deployment in a crash and increase injury risk. This is particularly concerning given that 2 of the 5 total NHTSA complaints involve crashes where airbags reportedly failed to deploy, resulting in 3 injuries. Beyond the airbag issue, the total complaint volume for the 2016 Yaris is low, with only 5 complaints recorded. However, the nature of these complaints points to some potentially serious issues. One complaint describes a foot getting stuck under the accelerator pedal, creating difficulty in braking and nearly causing an accident. Another complaint details a crash at 35 MPH where airbags did not deploy, leading to serious injury. Other complaints mention issues with the electrical system (voltage regulator failure at low mileage) and structural integrity (rear bumper flapping). The recall concerning incorrect tire labels (NHTSA ID: 16V-199) is also significant, as an overloaded vehicle due to an incorrect label can increase the risk of a crash. While the overall complaint count is low, the severity of the issues reported, particularly the airbag non-deployment in actual crashes and the accelerator pedal concern, warrants attention. The combination of good crash test ratings with a critical airbag recall and real-world airbag deployment failures suggests that while the vehicle's structure may perform well, its supplemental restraint systems have known vulnerabilities.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Toyota Yaris receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2016 Toyota Yaris

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Toyota Yaris:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Airbag Non-Deployment
Wire harnesses for side airbag sensors may crack and corrode, preventing side and curtain shield airbags from deploying in a crash. Two NHTSA complaints describe crashes where airbags failed to deploy, resulting in injuries.		 High Occasional N/A miles
Accelerator Pedal Obstruction
Accelerator pedal design may allow a driver's foot to get stuck underneath, hindering braking and increasing accident risk.		 High Rare N/A miles
Incorrect Tire Label
Vehicles may have an incorrect tire information label, potentially leading to overloading and increasing crash risk.		 Medium Rare N/A miles
Electrical System Failure (Voltage Regulator)
Voltage regulator failure reported at relatively low mileage.		 Medium Rare under 37000 miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Toyota Yaris:

Air Bags 40% of complaints

Two out of five complaints involve airbag non-deployment during crashes, directly related to a recall concerning sensor wiring.

Vehicle Speed Control 20% of complaints

One complaint details the accelerator pedal obstructing the driver's foot, making it difficult to brake.

Electrical System 20% of complaints

One complaint reports a voltage regulator failure at low mileage.

Structure 20% of complaints

One complaint describes the rear bumper becoming loose and flapping while driving.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Toyota Yaris

Is the 2016 Toyota Yaris safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Toyota Yaris received good crash test ratings (4-star overall, 5-star side). However, there is a critical recall for side airbag sensor wiring that could prevent deployment, and actual complaints describe airbag failures in crashes, resulting in injuries. This suggests a potential gap between crash test performance and real-world supplemental restraint system reliability.

What are common problems with the 2016 Toyota Yaris?

The most reported issues, though based on a low complaint volume, include airbag non-deployment during crashes (2 complaints), an accelerator pedal design issue where a foot can get stuck (1 complaint), and electrical system failures like a voltage regulator going out (1 complaint). There's also a recall for incorrect tire labels.

Are there any recalls for the 2016 Toyota Yaris?

Yes, the 2016 Toyota Yaris has two recalls. One is for AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW (NHTSA ID: 17V-295) due to potential wire harness corrosion affecting deployment. The other is for TIRES (NHTSA ID: 16V-199) concerning incorrect tire information labels that could lead to overloading.

How did the 2016 Toyota Yaris perform in crash tests?

The 2016 Toyota Yaris received an Overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. It scored 4 stars for Frontal crash, 5 stars for Side crash, and 4 stars for Rollover resistance.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2016 Toyota Yaris has good crash test ratings, prioritize verifying that all airbag recalls have been addressed and consider the reported issues with airbag deployment and accelerator pedal design before purchase.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Toyota Yaris

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Toyota Yaris. The data includes 5 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Toyota Yaris an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.