TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Toyota Yaris airbags problems
severe 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
7crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 43 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Toyota Yaris, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 48% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 43 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators or repaired under a recall with Takata airbag inflators to provide coverage for repairs of the airbag inflator contained in the airbag module. This CSP letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement. This is NOT a recall or a campaign, but is provided to reassure owners that Toyota stands behind the reliability of our vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Yaris airbag system shows three distinct problem patterns. Most prevalent is the Takata inflator recall spanning model years 2006–2010, where the propellant degrades after 6–9 years of service, especially in hot, humid climates. Owners report waiting months to over a year for replacement parts; dealers repeatedly placed them on backorder with no firm availability date, during which owners were instructed not to use the front passenger seat. Many owners in tropical climates expressed particular concern, having owned vehicles near or past the 6–9 year degradation window while still unrepaired.
Second, Toyota issued a recall for a spiral cable assembly in the steering column (14V168000) that can be damaged by normal steering-wheel rotation, disconnecting the driver airbag and preventing deployment. This also faced parts delays.
Third, owners documented four separate crash events—rear-impact at 40 mph, T-bone with 11.1 mph lateral acceleration, rollover (4 flips), and head-on collision—where airbags simply did not deploy despite moderate-to-severe impacts. One crash injured a 23-year-old with a brain injury requiring lifelong seizure medication. In one T-bone case, Toyota's investigation confirmed the sensor detected the impact but deemed it insufficient to warrant deployment, yet refused to disclose the deployment threshold. Occupants sustained head, neck, chest, and leg injuries when airbags failed to cushion them.
Same Toyota Yaris airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Takata inflator propellant degradation (recall)
Takata airbag inflators contain propellant that degrades after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity and fluctuating temperatures, potentially causing inflator rupture or failure to deploy properly. Multiple NHTSA campaigns issued (14V168000, 16V340000, 18V025000) covering 2006–2010 model years.
When: 6–9 years in service with exposure to high heat/humidity; critical in tropical climates
Symptoms owners cite: No deployment notification or warning until recall issued; Concern about propellant degradation after 6+ years of ownership in hot/humid climates; Restricted passenger-seat use pending repair
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 14V168000, NHTSA 16V340000, NHTSA 18V025000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of spiral cable assembly or inflator unit required; parts repeatedly unavailable for extended periods (months to over 1 year); repairs performed free of charge when parts available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Interim notification letters sent (May 2014); second notification promised when parts available; remedy delayed due to parts distribution backlog; Toyota directed owners to hire independent engineers for threshold analysis in one crash case
Spiral cable (FFC) damage in steering column—driver airbag disconnection
Flexible flat cable (FFC) in the steering column spiral cable assembly becomes damaged when steering wheel is turned due to improper retainer design, causing loss of connectivity to driver airbag module and deactivation of the driver airbag.
When: Unknown; design defect affects steering column assembly
Symptoms owners cite: Driver airbag fails to deploy or becomes deactivated; No warning light or symptom before crash event
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 14V168000
Repairs/costs cited: Spiral cable assembly replacement required; performed free of charge when parts available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 14V168000 issued; owners notified via interim letter in May 2014; second notification promised when remedy parts available; remedy parts unavailable for extended periods
Airbag non-deployment in moderate-to-severe crashes
Airbags (front, side, or both) fail to deploy during collisions that typically warrant deployment. Owners report serious crashes with total vehicle loss, but no airbag activation. Manufacturer investigation in one case found sensor accelerated from 0 mph to 11.1 mph in 68 milliseconds yet did not trigger deployment; manufacturer claimed system functioned normally and refused to clarify deployment threshold.
When: At time of crash; mileage varies (32,000–63,000 reported in some; unknown in others)
Symptoms owners cite: Zero airbag deployment during T-bone collision (11.1 mph lateral acceleration in 68 ms); Zero airbag deployment in rear-end collision (40 mph impact while stopped); Zero airbag deployment during head-on and rollover crash (vehicle flipped 4 times); Head, neck, chest, and leg injuries to occupants; one occupant suffered brain injury with lifelong seizures; Front passenger seat belt failure during crash
Codes mentioned: SRS system malfunction (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; manufacturer declined further investigation; one owner advised to hire independent engineers at own cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota investigated and stated sensor was working properly and crash did not meet deployment criteria; manufacturer claimed everything functioned normally; no recall issued for these specific failures
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Toyota yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v340000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
Takata recall we have been waiting over 6 months for a repair on our right side air bag. Because of the danger to a passenger in the right seat we have been unable to use, this vehicle except for driver only use. I feel it is taking way too long for the repair to take place. I don't feel like Toyota or the federal government is doing enough to get this repair completed. I live in a tropical…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Toyota yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags). 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 not aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
I have not received a call from Toyota about the takata inflators . I was told not to use de passenger seat. Every time I go for a change oil, I asked them when they're going to replace it, and they just answer that they will send a letter to let me know. It's been a while and have not hear from them. It's scary to drive longer distances knowing that. Thanks for your help on this matter.
2010 Toyota yaris. Consumer writes in regard to airbag safety recall. *as the consumer stated the vehicle did not require the airbags to be replace, but constantly received recall notices. *js
Takata recall it's been months. What is the delay? Millions are being inconvenienced because someone isn't willing to spend the necessary money to fix this problem. Fines are definitely in order as well as some financial recompense to owners for the delay and inconvenience.
Takata recall", Toyota has not yet provided a remedy for this recall. My car is impacted and could be a danger to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota yaris. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v169000 (seats) and NHTSA campaign number: 14v168000 (air bags). However, the part to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced…
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 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 airbags problem on the 2010 Toyota Yaris?
It's a meaningful issue. 43 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 26,000 and 100,120 miles, with the median around 44,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,000; a quarter make it past 100,120. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2010/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.