Reliability results after 6 years of ownership.

[yaris prime]

Hey all... Haven't been here in quite a while. i just wanted to share my experience with the reliability of the Yaris after 6 years of ownership. I am totally thrilled by the reliability of the Yaris (knocking on wood now). I bought my 2007 Yaris in Feb. of 2009 with 19k miles and now have 165k on it. Other than oil and manual trans oil changes, I have done only the following:
-front brakes (twice).
-one rear tail light bulb.
-donut gasket in exhaust replaced.
-bearing in alternator making noise (replaced alternator).

That's it !
I also replaced the belt when I changed the alternator, as I figured I might as well while I'm doing it. I can't remember which brand I bought, but it is junk. I have had to tighten it 3 or 4 times because it stretches.
Other than that, I have done a few mods over the years, some of which were good and some not so much...
-short throw shifter- took it out, didn't really work well.
-Installed power door locks and windows from A1- Would not recommend. Lock system didn't work very long. Power window system is still working well, but, on the whole, I don't think it was worth it.
-removed module for daytime running lights- This was to keep me from driving around at night thinking my lights were on when they were not.
-Added spacers to tilt seat back to offer more support to back of legs and for added leg room. This worked well (I'm 6' 4")
-Removed block of foam from under carpet next to clutch pedal (it was interfering with my big left foot).

Again, super excited about how few problems I have had. It is what keeps me still driving this car- six years is a record for me, some cars I only kept for months.

[bronsin]

Awesome! :thumbsup:

The Best Is Yet To Come! :thumbsup:

[fourbangingfun]

How often have you changed your manual tranny fluid and motor oil? And what kind did you use? Also front pads twice but no rear shoe replacement at all?? Interesting.

'07 @ 145k, myself.


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[fnkngrv]

I have 100k on my rear brakes now and still no replacement. I change tranny fluid about once a year personally.

[nookandcrannycar]

Awesome! :thumbsup:

The Best Is Yet To Come! :thumbsup:

:thumbsup: Yep. After replacing the alternator at just over 159k, I went from 160k to 300k just replacing tires, 1 serp belt (replaced original), 2 batteries, a few bulbs, 1 set of spark plugs (replaced originals), a parking break adjustrment/dust blowout, oil/filter changes, washer fluid, added half a container of coolant purchased from the dealer, and (as a precaution) had the control arm bolts replaced. I also added a cabin air filter to that 'empty from the factory' (:eek:) location. Don't think I left anything out.

[El Kapitan]

interesting that you should mention adding spacers to give higher leg room. i've been thinking of doing that same thing myself. it worked good in my old honda fit.

[bronsin]

:thumbsup: Yep. After replacing the alternator at just over 159k, I went from 160k to 300k just replacing tires, 1 serp belt (replaced original), 2 batteries, a few bulbs, 1 set of spark plugs (replaced originals), a parking break adjustrment/dust blowout, oil/filter changes, washer fluid, added half a container of coolant purchased from the dealer, and (as a precaution) had the control arm bolts replaced. I also added a cabin air filter to that 'empty from the factory' (:eek:) location. Don't think I left anything out.

Didnt a wheel bearing go at some point?:iono:

Might have been somebody else though...

[lenzomaru]

I have 100k on my rear brakes now and still no replacement. I change tranny fluid about once a year personally.

wow u change that really often, is there a reason?

[fnkngrv]

wow u change that really often, is there a reason?
because I am always and forever futz8ng with the damned car...lol. seriously, I have been doing stuff requiring the engine or trans to be pulled every year since 2010 so it is typical for me to do something that requires a drain or losing some fluid. Also with the high rpm that I run the car I am just paranoid so like to change it when I change my oil once a year.

[fnkngrv]

Didnt a wheel bearing go at some point?:iono:

Might have been somebody else though...
I have replaced 3 wheel bearings now since I bought mine new in 06 and the chassis like I said has only 100k on it. Mayhaps it was me you were thinking about?

[lenzomaru]

I see water pump issues popping up often when i read on other forums, what are u guys' experience with this?

[IllusionX]

Mine failed at 56000km, at 2 years 10months.

[mario98c]

My Yaris is almost 6 years also. The only thing that I've changed is the brake pads because I beat the hell out of this car racing it in track events. Other than that, the car has not broke anything.

[fnkngrv]

the water pump I have been very lucky with. no issues and that includes aggressive use while boosted on the engines.

[bronsin]

I see water pump issues popping up often when i read on other forums, what are u guys' experience with this?


09 wp went ~25k miles.

40k now...

[bronsin]

I have replaced 3 wheel bearings now since I bought mine new in 06 and the chassis like I said has only 100k on it. Mayhaps it was me you were thinking about?

I only recall one set of bearings going, whoever it was.

But man how did three go on yours?:iono:

[fnkngrv]

I only recall one set of bearings going, whoever it was.

But man how did three go on yours?:iono:
I was told that it has to do with the sustained high speeds and quick deceleration from my racing. I actually replace both when I have one go just as a precaution.

[nookandcrannycar]

Didnt a wheel bearing go at some point?:iono:

Might have been somebody else though...

Yeah (front wheel bearings), but that wasn't during the 160,000 mile 'marker' to the 300,000 mile 'marker'...not during that range...it was at just under 111,000 miles. I think the only other replacements at the under 160,000 mile mark = tires, oil and filter changes, a few other bulbs (total bulbs over the life of the car = each headlight twice and the rear LP light twice], replacing the stolen (in New Orleans) passenger side mirror cover, and replacing the original battery.

[nookandcrannycar]

I see water pump issues popping up often when i read on other forums, what are u guys' experience with this?

I'm still on the original water pump at 300,000+ miles, but I think that is pretty unusual. Like trini_per4mance (another member), I made it over 300,000 miles on my original brakes. Trini made it to 400,000 miles on his original brake pads...amazing...considering the way he drives in his YouTube videos :biggrin:. Trini's original water pump lasted 502,000 miles :eek:.

[IllusionX]

If you do mainly highway, obviously the original brakes will last a long time. I replaced my fronts at 55k miles and the rear ones are due now at 74k miles. The fronts are showing signs of uneven wear, so will replace all 4 corners this spring.

[kimona]

88,000 miles: Changed the battery, serpentine belt, and hatch supports. Brakes are still good. Drives like the day I bought it. I love this car!

[sheekeebut]

102,000 km

Original water pump here. Transmission was switched out once, but at 5-10,000 km. After that, everything has been just regular maintenance, (oil, filters, tits, a brake light bulb).

Still original brake pads and rotors. Just flushed fluid to DOT 4, but I might switch back to 3.

[nookandcrannycar]

If you do mainly highway, obviously the original brakes will last a long time. I replaced my fronts at 55k miles and the rear ones are due now at 74k miles. The fronts are showing signs of uneven wear, so will replace all 4 corners this spring.

With me, rather than the highway/city split, I think it's because I default to a 'low wear' driving style :laugh:.

[IllusionX]

I'm 90% stop and go driving. I mean actual stop signs. So I'm wearing down my brakes a lot...

[nookandcrannycar]

I mean actual stop signs.

:laugh:. I was in a restaurant a few months ago, and the overhead TV was tuned to a reality show. A ditsy, spoiled, teenage girl was wondering why a 'California stop'*** wasn't good enough to avoid the ticket she received :rolleyes:.

*** - slowing down for a stop sign, but not coming to a complete stop, and then accelerating

[nookandcrannycar]

I'm 90% stop and go driving.

I feel for you. That would drive me crazy. IIRC, jayeh has a similar city driving concentration.

[Jcp123]

At 15 years and 251k miles, I have, as far as I can tell, all of the original hard parts save for the VVTi solenoid, which failed just last month, and the catalytic converter, swapped out a couple of years ago. Not sure about the O2 sensors. But the alternator, water pump, etc. are all completely functional and original.

In three years of driving it (three years exactly, actually), I have put just a little more than $500 into the car, including the aforementioned parts, tyres, air filters, and oil changes. Its showing its age, and I have to rig the horn for inspection every year, but it runs fantastically well and still gets my 40mpg. It's a hell of a car. And I got it for free :)

[MemphisLaVa]

08 sedan with nearly 82,000 miles (bought with 34,000 miles already on the car in 2010). Had belt replaced at 76,800 miles, spark plugs at 80,800 miles, water pump replaced at 81,000 and fuel system cleaned. Water pump had definitely seen better days...
http://s17.postimg.org/elcxsbbxr/IMG_20150302_210613.jpg

Need new tires in the next six months. Brakes are still good, but will probably need to be replaced within the next year. Other than that, I couldn't have found a better first car (besides another Yaris)!

[ern-diz]

At 15 years and 251k miles, I have, as far as I can tell, all of the original hard parts save for the VVTi solenoid, which failed just last month, and the catalytic converter, swapped out a couple of years ago. Not sure about the O2 sensors. But the alternator, water pump, etc. are all completely functional and original.

In three years of driving it (three years exactly, actually), I have put just a little more than $500 into the car, including the aforementioned parts, tyres, air filters, and oil changes. Its showing its age, and I have to rig the horn for inspection every year, but it runs fantastically well and still gets my 40mpg. It's a hell of a car. And I got it for free :)

That's awesome.

[bronsin]

At 15 years and 251k miles, I have, as far as I can tell, all of the original hard parts save for the VVTi solenoid, which failed just last month, :)


Did you fix the VVTi? Or does the engine run without it?:iono:

Thanks!

[Jcp123]

Did you fix the VVTi? Or does the engine run without it?:iono:

Thanks!

It runs without it...technically. But it runs very, very poorly, no power, lumpy idle, can't even generate enough vacuum for brake assist. I won't even have to strongly recommend against driving it in that condition, as you'll hate driving it that way anyway LOL.

And yes, after trying motor flush and cleaning the solenoid itself as well as pulling and cleaning the already-pretty-clean oil screen for the solenoid, I did end up having to replace the solenoid to resolve the problem.

[lenzomaru]

I'm still on the original water pump at 300,000+ miles, but I think that is pretty unusual. Like trini_per4mance (another member), I made it over 300,000 miles on my original brakes. Trini made it to 400,000 miles on his original brake pads...amazing...considering the way he drives in his YouTube videos :biggrin:. Trini's original water pump lasted 502,000 miles :eek:.

hmmmm..I wonder if he is from Trinidad and Tobago like myself?

[Flammable]

My 2012 Yaris SE is still quite young, currently 33,800 miles. The end of this June is three years exactly since it was purchased new. So far only costs is just oil changes, oil filters, air filters and cabin filters and gas. Today cleaned the engine bay for first time and it really wasn't all that dirty. It looks factory clean now. Need to pick up some touch up paint for small stone chips, ect. My only complaint about this car is last year the small center plastic cap that covers the uni-wiper fastener broke and fell off as well as the trim cap that covers the passenger's seat belt where it's mounted to the floorboard behind the seat. My original windscreen was broke by some flaying object about two years ago and when Safelite replaced it they had to remove the two black plastic trim pieces on both sides of the windscreen at bottom where it meets the A pillars. Those trim pieces are only held on with one shot sticky glue. Dealership charged 120 bucks to replace windscreen trim pieces as well as small center cap on uni-wiper. I am not worried about the seat belt trim piece at this point.