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 ↗2011 Toyota Yaris airbags problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
1fire
8injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 20 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Toyota Yaris, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 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
Owners of the 2011 Yaris cite two major airbag problems. First, some describe rollover and collision accidents where airbags did not deploy, leaving occupants without protection. One owner reported a loss-of-braking incident in rain that caused a rollover; another described a severe crash that disabled the vehicle and required fire department extrication. Both incidents resulted in injuries despite seatbelts being worn.
Second, the vehicle is subject to NHTSA Campaign 16V340000 for defective Takata airbag inflators. Owners consistently report that recall parts were unavailable for weeks or months after receiving recall notices in late 2016 and early 2017—despite the recall being known since May 2016. Toyota's temporary fix: instructing owners not to put anyone in the front passenger seat. Owners complained this made vehicles unsafe and unsellable, and that the replacement airbags used the same defective Takata technology. One owner reported dealer refusal to provide transportation during repair appointments.
One additional complaint describes an illuminated passenger airbag off light and SRS warning light that would not extinguish. No information on whether this is related to the Takata recall or a separate sensor fault.
Same Toyota Yaris airbags reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Non-Deployment in Collision
Driver-side and/or front passenger airbags failed to deploy during significant impacts. Narrative #1 describes a rollover crash where airbags did not fire; narrative #5 describes a severe collision where airbags did not work. Both occupants sustained injuries despite seatbelts and proper seating.
When: At time of impact during crashes
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during severe collision; Occupants sustained neck, chest, shoulder, and back injuries despite seatbelts; Vehicle rolled down ditch without airbag protection; Engine fire occurred in one incident
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; narratives describe post-crash injuries treated at urgent care. Neck X-rays obtained.
Takata Airbag Inflator Defect and Recall Delays
2011 Yaris subject to NHTSA Campaign 16V340000 for defective Takata airbag inflators. Owners reported extreme delays in parts availability and lack of remedy even months after recall notice. Recall was known since May 2016 but owners received notice in January 2017 with no available fix. Toyota instructed owners not to occupy front passenger seat as temporary measure while seeking remedy.
When: Recall issued 2016-2017; parts unavailable months after notice
Symptoms owners cite: Recall letter received with instruction not to operate vehicle with front passenger occupant; Parts for recall repair unavailable weeks to months after recall notice; Replacement airbag components described as same defective technology; Vehicle difficult to use and sell due to recall status
Codes mentioned: 16V340000
Repairs/costs cited: Parts were eventually supplied and some vehicles were repaired (narrative #6 states repair completed by May 2017), but initial delays were substantial. Narratives #2-3 describe dealer inability or unwillingness to provide transportation during repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V340000 (Airbags - Takata recall). Toyota sent recall notices but did not have parts available promptly. Instructed owners to keep front passenger seat unoccupied. Some dealers refused to provide transportation assistance during repair.
SRS and Passenger Airbag Off Light Malfunction
Passenger-side airbag off indicator light and SRS warning light remained illuminated and would not shut off, even with both passenger and driver seated. Indicates a sensor or electrical fault in the airbag system.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag off light remains illuminated; SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light remains illuminated; Both lights fail to turn off when passengers are present
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 16 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Toyota yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. 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 had not experienced a failure. Part…
Takata recall I wish to complain about takata and Toyota about their mutual handling of the recall. This summer I received a notice from Toyota recommending keeping the front passenger seat unoccupied due to the front passenger airbag while they seek a "remedy". From what reading I have done, the remedy consists of replacing the defective technology from takata with a newer version of the…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Toyota yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 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 notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
I call to Toyota, and I wait for apoimentnt
Takata recall
Tl* takata recall. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was notified. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Toyota yaris. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags). The contact stated that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Toyota yaris. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags). The part needed for the repair was not available. 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms…
Toyota recall: notice states: "do not operate the vehicle with and occupant in front passenger seat." limits usefulness of vehicle. As the three point seat harness is the primary passenger restraint and the airbag is secondary, I would like to disable the front passenger airbag. Please advise.
Takata recall I received a letter stating my airbags were recalled but the claim is incomplete and I am not able to get my vehicle repaired.
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Toyota Yaris?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 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?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 70,948 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2011/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.