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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Toyota Yaris electrical problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Toyota Yaris in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Toyota vehicle becomes submerged in water, many components may be physically damaged. Electrical and electronic components, including wiring harnesses, are particularly susceptible to corrosion and subsequent malfunction. Although any flooding can be damaging, salt water flooding elevates the potential for abnormal conditions and may increase risks due to its highly corrosive and conductive nature. Salt residue also continues to corrode and remain conductive even after a vehicle dries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0101-11 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch perfor
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2008 Yaris models report multiple electrical and engine control failures. The most common issue involves engine stalling and loss of acceleration, typically accompanied by check engine light and diagnostic code P0121. One owner spent $1,000 on engine wiring harness replacement after throttle body swap failed to fix the problem. Toyota issued a TSB addressing the wiring fault but denied warranty coverage beyond 58,000 miles.
ABS brake system failures appear regularly in winter conditions. Water and road salt corrode unsealed sensor connectors on rear wheel hubs, disabling ABS function. One owner drove through a red light when brakes failed to stop the vehicle on snow at 30 mph. Toyota dealers acknowledge this is a known issue without a permanent fix, quoting $600 per wheel for repairs that may fail again next winter.
Dashboard electrical gremlins include all warning lights illuminating on startup for 20-30 seconds, turn signals triggering unrelated dash lights or reverse indicators, and speed gear dropping without braking. One owner saw a coil replaced but the problem persisted; dealers claim they cannot diagnose the issue despite video evidence.
Additional failures include cruise control unintended acceleration that wouldn't disengage (resulting in a tree crash), electrical fires in door panels and windows, and the ability to remove ignition keys with the engine still running. One owner's issues started after professional aftermarket alarm installation, suggesting potential wiring vulnerabilities.
Same Toyota Yaris electrical reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling and no-accelerate conditions
Vehicle stalls intermittently while driving or at traffic lights without warning. When accelerating fails, check engine light illuminates. Throttle body replacement does not resolve the issue. Dealer diagnostics point to engine wiring harness defect.
When: 58,000 miles and higher; one report at 94,401 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent failure to accelerate, occurring once daily or every other day; Vehicle will not accelerate until ignition is turned off and restarted; Check engine light comes on during episodes; Vehicle stalls while sitting at traffic lights; Vehicle stalls while driving at various speeds
Codes mentioned: P0121
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement attempted with no improvement. Toyota dealer recommended engine wiring harness replacement at cost of $1,000; not covered under warranty past 58,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued TSB related to P0121 fault code referencing engine wiring harness, but TSB does not address failure-to-accelerate symptom. No recall issued. Warranty denial beyond 58,000 miles.
Cruise control unintended acceleration and failure to disengage
Vehicle accelerated on its own while cruise control was engaged. Cruise control would not disengage even with driver intervention. Resulted in single-vehicle crash into trees to avoid collision with other vehicles.
When: Not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended acceleration while cruise control was set; Cruise control failed to disengage when attempted; Vehicle accelerated despite driver braking efforts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota and Bosch (who analyzed the vehicle's black box) claim no malfunction found. Owner disputes finding and suspects tin whisker electronic failure as potential cause.
Dashboard and signal light electrical malfunction
On ignition turn-on, vehicle makes noise and all dashboard lights illuminate for 20-30 seconds. Turn signal activation causes dashboard lights to blink or illuminate unrelated indicators (reverse light turns on when right signal engaged; brake application causes right signal to illuminate). Speed gear drops without braking. Coil 3 was replaced but problem persists.
When: Not stated; low mileage vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights illuminate and stay on for 20-30 seconds after ignition is turned on; Turn signal activation causes unrelated dashboard lights to illuminate or blink; Reverse light illuminates when right turn signal is activated; Right brake application triggers right turn signal to come on; Speed gear drops without driver braking; Noise when ignition is turned on
Repairs/costs cited: Coil 3 replaced by dealer; problem persists. Dealer states no recalls and no complaints found. Dealer diagnostic charged $124 and found nothing wrong despite video evidence of problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall. Dealer unable to diagnose despite evidence presented.
ABS sensor wiring corrosion and brake failure
ABS brake sensor connectors on rear wheel hubs are not sealed, allowing water and road salt to corrode electrical connections. Corrosion causes ABS system deactivation in winter weather. Vehicle maintains regular braking but loses ABS function. Owners report brake failure in snow and ice conditions.
When: Winter weather conditions; one incident reported at 30 mph
Symptoms owners cite: ABS brake light comes on intermittently during winter weather and clears when dry; Brakes fail to stop vehicle in snow conditions; Loss of ABS braking function; Regular brakes still function but without ABS assistance
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic confirmed ABS wiring and hub replacement needed. Toyota dealer quoted $600 per wheel. Dealer stated no permanent fix available and problem could recur the next winter.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota acknowledged the problem exists but states no permanent fix has been developed as of the complaint date. No recall issued.
Electrical fires in door panels and windows
Pressing window down button caused small fire and smoke inside vehicle. Separate incident where door panel caught fire. Door control switch was identified as cause in one case and replaced at no cost.
When: Not stated for window fire; door fire on 12/7/2011
Symptoms owners cite: Small fire with smoke when window down button is pressed; Door panel caught fire and filled car with smoke
Repairs/costs cited: Door control switch replaced at no cost per manufacturer in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota investigated door panel fire and replaced door control switch at no cost.
Ignition key removal with engine running
Keys can be removed from ignition while engine is still running, creating hazard where keys could fall out during accident and prevent engine shutdown.
When: Not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Keys removable from ignition while engine is running; No mechanical lock-out preventing key removal
Brake system malfunction
Brakes have failed multiple times. Owner reports brakes do not work completely correctly even after replacement.
When: Not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple brake failures; Brakes do not function completely correctly after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes replaced but issues persist.
Aftermarket alarm compatibility issues
Installation of two different professional-grade aftermarket alarm systems caused various electrical components to malfunction. First alarm was removed after 3 months due to these issues. Second alarm replacement caused identical problems. Vehicle has low mileage (23,382 miles).
When: 23,382 miles on odometer
Symptoms owners cite: Various electrical components fail after aftermarket alarm installation; Same problems occur with second aftermarket alarm installation
Repairs/costs cited: First aftermarket alarm removed after 3 months; second professional alarm installation replaced but caused same issues.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The air bag light stay on / ac knob not working.
Had electrical trouble with your 2008 Toyota Yaris?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 Toyota Yaris?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 45,000 and 94,401 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 94,401. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Toyota/Yaris.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.