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2020 Toyota Yaris Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20262 Critical Recalls
Ryan Davis
2020 Toyota Yaris Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2020 Toyota Yaris has 16 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and unknown or other.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

8.4/ 10

Based on 16 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE

3 18.8%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 18.8%

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 18.8%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 12.5%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 12.5%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 18.8% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 8 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2020 Toyota Yaris

The 2020 Toyota Yaris has 16 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 19% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2020 Toyota Yaris are ENGINE (3), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (3).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 9 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2020 Toyota Yaris?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2019 Yaris complaints2021 Yaris complaints2018 Yaris complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 8 of 8 systems

ENGINE

3 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE A 2020 TOYOTA YARIS WITH 3500 MILES THAT HAS AN INTENSE AND REPEATED VIBRATION PROBLEM THAT STARTED APPEARING 9 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. WHEN I COME FULLY TO A STOP, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL VIBRATE INTENSELY LIKE A MASSAGE CHAIR. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT THROUGHOUT - IN SEATS, STEERING WHEEL, DASH, BRAKE PEDAL, EVEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE VIBRATION IS SO INTENSE IT CAN BE VISUALLY SEEN. WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, THE ENGINE IS SHAKING INTENSELY. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS IN DRIVE/REVERSE AND WHEN STOPPED. IF THE CAR IS IN PARK/NEUTRAL, OR WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING, IT DOES NOT VIBRATE. THE VIBRATION COMES BACK WHEN PUT BACK INTO DRIVE/REVERSE. THE VIBRATION ONLY HAPPENS ONCE THE CAR IS WARM. CAR VIBRATES AT 500 RPM. WHEN RPM GOES UP TO 600 OR MORE, IT STOPS VIBRATING. IT ALSO STOPS VIBRATING IF THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS TURNED ON (RPMS RISING). AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A LOW IDLE BECAUSE IDLE RPMS WERE TOO LOW (NOT A ROUGH IDLE). I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND FILM IT HAPPENING BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX IT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED OTHER CARS FOR THE PROBLEM; THEY FIRST TOLD ME THAT MY YARIS IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THAT PROBLEM, THEN THEY CHANGED THEIR STATEMENT AND SAID "3 OTHER YARIS AT OTHER DEALERSHIPS ALSO HAD THAT PROBLEM, BUT IT IS LIKE 3 OUT OF 30,000 YARIS". THIS MEANS THAT THE VIBRATION PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS CAR AND A FEW OF THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE (WITH MINE BEING ONE OF THEM). I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 SEPARATE TIMES REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT THEY REFUSED OR GAVE ME AN EXCUSE, SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT, COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ETC. MY CAR ONLY HAS 3,500 MILES AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW CAR. TOYOTA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND FIND AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY, TAKE THIS CAR BACK, OR COMPENSATE THE OWNER.

2/8/2021

THE OWNERS MANUAL CAPACITIES FOR AN OIL CHANGE WITH FILTER CALLS FOR 4.4QTS. WHEN THIS AMOUNT OF OIL IS USED AND THE PROPER INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOLLOWED AS PER THE SAME MANUAL TO CHECK THE LEVEL WITH THE DIPSTICK IT SHOWS THAT IT IS OVERFILLED BY CLOSE TO 1QT. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T EXPLAIN IT NOR CAN TOYOTA. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE EITHER PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE OR POSSIBLY AN ENGINE FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW.

3/26/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE A 2020 TOYOTA YARIS WITH 3500 MILES THAT HAS AN INTENSE AND REPEATED VIBRATION PROBLEM THAT STARTED APPEARING 9 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. WHEN I COME FULLY TO A STOP, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL VIBRATE INTENSELY LIKE A MASSAGE CHAIR. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT THROUGHOUT - IN SEATS, STEERING WHEEL, DASH, BRAKE PEDAL, EVEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE VIBRATION IS SO INTENSE IT CAN BE VISUALLY SEEN. WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, THE ENGINE IS SHAKING INTENSELY. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS IN DRIVE/REVERSE AND WHEN STOPPED. IF THE CAR IS IN PARK/NEUTRAL, OR WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING, IT DOES NOT VIBRATE. THE VIBRATION COMES BACK WHEN PUT BACK INTO DRIVE/REVERSE. THE VIBRATION ONLY HAPPENS ONCE THE CAR IS WARM. CAR VIBRATES AT 500 RPM. WHEN RPM GOES UP TO 600 OR MORE, IT STOPS VIBRATING. IT ALSO STOPS VIBRATING IF THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS TURNED ON (RPMS RISING). AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A LOW IDLE BECAUSE IDLE RPMS WERE TOO LOW (NOT A ROUGH IDLE). I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND FILM IT HAPPENING BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX IT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED OTHER CARS FOR THE PROBLEM; THEY FIRST TOLD ME THAT MY YARIS IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THAT PROBLEM, THEN THEY CHANGED THEIR STATEMENT AND SAID "3 OTHER YARIS AT OTHER DEALERSHIPS ALSO HAD THAT PROBLEM, BUT IT IS LIKE 3 OUT OF 30,000 YARIS". THIS MEANS THAT THE VIBRATION PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS CAR AND A FEW OF THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE (WITH MINE BEING ONE OF THEM). I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 SEPARATE TIMES REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT THEY REFUSED OR GAVE ME AN EXCUSE, SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT, COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ETC. MY CAR ONLY HAS 3,500 MILES AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW CAR. TOYOTA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND FIND AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY, TAKE THIS CAR BACK, OR COMPENSATE THE OWNER.

2/8/2021

i was at a stop light waiting for a left turn. there was a truck in front of me. the light turned green. the truck drove forward and was beginning to turn. there was a car space between me and the truck. i accelerated to turn and within a few seconds i felt the anti lock brakes activate, car stopped the engine shut off. i had to put the car in park and restart the engine. its a good thing there wasnt a car behind me.

9/21/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle was bucking and jerking while driving at slower speeds. The contact stated that also that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, while depressing the accelerator pedal to the flooring, the vehicle made an abnormal growling sound. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

10/28/2021

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact they did not know when parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/8/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURELY FASTEN INTO THE BUCKLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.

6/12/2020

This 2020 Yaris is registered to me but driven by my daughter to her workplace less that 3 miles away. The first incident involved the engine laboring to start and when she came home, the battery was dead. I was able to re-charge the battery at home but 2 days later, the car would not start at home. I have an auto engine scanner that registered a P2610 code stating "an Engine Control Module, ECM/PCM Engine Off Timer Performance". The battery had been completely drained of its liquid. This is a safety hazard that could have stranded my daughter as she sometimes drives to Houston which is about 30 miles away. I researched this code and found that the NHTSA has previously issued notices on these problems. We need help getting it resolved.Car is available for inspection.

9/13/2023

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

i was at a stop light waiting for a left turn. there was a truck in front of me. the light turned green. the truck drove forward and was beginning to turn. there was a car space between me and the truck. i accelerated to turn and within a few seconds i felt the anti lock brakes activate, car stopped the engine shut off. i had to put the car in park and restart the engine. its a good thing there wasnt a car behind me.

9/21/2021

The vehicle do unnecessary abrupt breaking in the highway when the road are reduced due to reparation. In addition in two times, when I tried to park to my garage in the back of other vehicle the breaking system related to collision is activate. This area of my garage is an inclined drive way zone and I put the vehicle back to other. In occasions when I go out to my residence, I need to go thru a control system that content a electrical barrier (electric arm), and around 4 or 5 times, when I close to this area the car did a hard stop, and the collision red light turned on with a beep sound, the same indication when the car activate the breaking system in the highway and when I try to park in some times to my garage. The most critical issue is when hard stooping in the highway due to in these times the other vehicles claimed me why reason I stopping without any reason, and them are very close to collision the back of my car. When this happen the sound of the tires of my car can be ear clearly the hard stopping. I very disappointment and very scare this defect was and will be in danger my life, due to the dealer retailer that I buy my car don't found any issue after my notification and I had no choice open a case directly with the Toyota, and now the dealer retailer will do an a correct inspection but I need to pay for this, is incredible due to my 2020 car only have 18,000 used miles.

9/25/2024

SEAT BELTS

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA YARIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURELY FASTEN INTO THE BUCKLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.

6/12/2020

SERVICE BRAKES

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The vehicle do unnecessary abrupt breaking in the highway when the road are reduced due to reparation. In addition in two times, when I tried to park to my garage in the back of other vehicle the breaking system related to collision is activate. This area of my garage is an inclined drive way zone and I put the vehicle back to other. In occasions when I go out to my residence, I need to go thru a control system that content a electrical barrier (electric arm), and around 4 or 5 times, when I close to this area the car did a hard stop, and the collision red light turned on with a beep sound, the same indication when the car activate the breaking system in the highway and when I try to park in some times to my garage. The most critical issue is when hard stooping in the highway due to in these times the other vehicles claimed me why reason I stopping without any reason, and them are very close to collision the back of my car. When this happen the sound of the tires of my car can be ear clearly the hard stopping. I very disappointment and very scare this defect was and will be in danger my life, due to the dealer retailer that I buy my car don't found any issue after my notification and I had no choice open a case directly with the Toyota, and now the dealer retailer will do an a correct inspection but I need to pay for this, is incredible due to my 2020 car only have 18,000 used miles.

9/25/2024

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The vehicle do unnecessary abrupt breaking in the highway when the road are reduced due to reparation. In addition in two times, when I tried to park to my garage in the back of other vehicle the breaking system related to collision is activate. This area of my garage is an inclined drive way zone and I put the vehicle back to other. In occasions when I go out to my residence, I need to go thru a control system that content a electrical barrier (electric arm), and around 4 or 5 times, when I close to this area the car did a hard stop, and the collision red light turned on with a beep sound, the same indication when the car activate the breaking system in the highway and when I try to park in some times to my garage. The most critical issue is when hard stooping in the highway due to in these times the other vehicles claimed me why reason I stopping without any reason, and them are very close to collision the back of my car. When this happen the sound of the tires of my car can be ear clearly the hard stopping. I very disappointment and very scare this defect was and will be in danger my life, due to the dealer retailer that I buy my car don't found any issue after my notification and I had no choice open a case directly with the Toyota, and now the dealer retailer will do an a correct inspection but I need to pay for this, is incredible due to my 2020 car only have 18,000 used miles.

9/25/2024

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota Yaris?

The most reported complaint category for the 2020 Toyota Yaris is ENGINE, with 3 owner reports. That is about 19% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Are complaints about the 2020 Toyota Yaris a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 9 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2020 Toyota Yaris?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2020 Toyota Yaris severe?

9 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Toyota Yaris: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
16
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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