Electrical system and powertrain issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
For customers that desire a compact vehicle, the 2020 Toyota Yaris seems to fit the bill. It’s deemed “the practical choice” by Toyota, but owners quickly change their minds once they drive it. This car suffers from a faulty electrical system and malfunctioning powertrain.
Well-functioning electrical systems aren’t something only expected on high-end vehicles. They should be part of any car that is street-legal. However, the Yaris shows just how dysfunctional this system can be.
One NHTSA review states, “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.”
It turns out that the electrical system failures run deep with the Yaris. Service Bulletin #T-TT-0553-19 Rev discusses how the GFCI breaker can be tripped, but Toyota doesn’t yet know how to resolve the malfunction. For now, the automaker states that a high circuit demand might cause the problem, or it could be worn out internal contacts. If that isn’t the cause, maybe it is improper installation of the breaker itself or the wiring. From an outside perspective, it would appear that Toyota has no clue how to make a vehicle. If this is the “practical choice,” it might be time to live outside the box.
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| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Service Brakes |
The powertrain is an essential aspect of any vehicle, even the budget-friendly ones. However, this powertrain is simply a disappointment.
One KBB review states quite frankly. “Transmission problems Etc. already and these vehicles are absolutely junk!”
Again, there is talk of powertrain issues, but it seems Toyota isn’t sure what the trouble is caused by. Service Bulletin #T-SB-0134-16 could signify a faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM). At this point, it might be more “practical” to simply rebuild the car entirely.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Toyota pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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