Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2008 Toyota Yaris Electrical system Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
8%of 218 total for the year
Median mileage
57,600miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Toyota Yaris, 8% of the 218 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Vehicles emergency brake light and ABS light continued to come on. Vehicle was taken to the Toyota dealer and we were told that the rear wiring harness and sensors had completed eroded and that until this problem was repaired the vehicle had no working ABS system or traction stability control. We were advised that Toyota is aware of the problem but has still not done a recall. This to me is definitely a safety issued that should be addressed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10497955, filed 2013-02, 56,000 miles

“Our daughter was driving on highway 44 in missouri at or near grey summit missouri with the cruise control set on, when our 2008 Toyota Yaris started to accelerate on it's own. Our daughter had to swerve to miss hitting other vehicle on the highway. She attempted to stop and the cruise control did not disengage. To avoid hitting another vehicle she steered the vehicle off the highway and crashed head on into trees. Toyota hired bosch to have the black box analyzed. The company and bosch claim no malfunction of the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10679615, filed 2015-01, 80,907 miles

“My vehicle has intermittently exhibited a failure to accelerate once a day or once every other day for a couple of months. The check engine light would come on and the vehicle would not accelerate until the ignition is turned off and restarted. My mechanic told me the problem might be related to the throttle body which he replaced with no improvement in performance. He also told me that Toyota has issued a TSB related to the fault recorded in the engine computer. …”

NHTSA complaint #10426542, filed 2011-09, 57,600 miles

“The car has shut off several time while sitting at a traffic light. The car has shut down several times while driving. Thankfully no one was injured or hurt. Another issues: my current 2008 Yaris has only 23,382 miles on it, so the car does not have high mileage. I have installed a total of 2 different aftermarket alarms on the car both by professional businesses one being best buy. The car is currently in the shop because of various electrical components on the car not working. I have read on several websites that this is an issue with the 2008 Yaris. …”

NHTSA complaint #10683687, filed 2015-02, 6,200 miles

“Since I buy the car sometimes when I turn ignition on it makes the noise that is starting all lights on the dashboard turn on for a almost a 20 to 30 sec. Then sometimes when I'm driving the speed gear drops with out me braking also when I turn right signal on sometimes the reverse light on dashboard also turn on. One time all lights on dashboard were blinking went I turn signal on. I took it to the dealer the person there told me they don't have any recalls and no complain then can't do anything if they don't see the problem. I have a video this. …”

NHTSA complaint #10551986, filed 2013-11, 26,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020220%
2019831%
2017213%
2016120%
201517%
2012411%
201114%
201078%
20091011%
2008188%
2007156%

Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Yaris

Air bags
107 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Yaris

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology