ToyotaYaris2008Overview/toyota/yaris/2008/base/

2008 Toyota Yaris

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Yaris.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Toyota Yaris is a passenger car equipped with an automatic 4-speed transmission and an engine that takes 3.9 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, delivering EPA-rated fuel economy of 29 city, 35 highway, and 31 combined mpg. In the model's complaint history spanning 2006 through 2020, the 2008 year logged 218 owner complaints — well below the 2007 peak of 296 but far above the 2014 low of 2 — with air bags ranking as the top complaint area and 10 recalls issued. This places the 2008 Yaris in the middle of the model's reliability spectrum, reflecting a notable drop from the troubled debut year but still carrying a meaningful volume of reported issues.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy29/35/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 55D23L · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 55D23L · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-65R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter178010T030
Fuel filter2330021030
Spark plug9008091184
Battery2880043262 alt 2880016151
Front wiper blades8521244032 alt 8522247020
Serpentine belt9091602500 alt 9091602704
Thermostat9091603093 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8713902090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length150.8 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height60.2 in
Wheelbase96.9 in
Curb weight2315 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined29 / 35 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Yaris of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.9–10.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.90 sec — 2007 S Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007S Sedan 1.5L I-48.90 sec17.00 sec106 hpFWD
2007S Sedan 1.5L I-49.50 sec17.40 sec106 hpFWD
2007S Sedan 1.5L I-410.40 sec17.80 sec106 hpFWD
2009S 5-door Hatchback 1.5L I-49.70 sec17.50 sec106 hpFWD
2009S 5-door Hatchback 1.5L I-410.60 sec18.10 sec106 hpFWD
20105-door Hatchback 1.5L I-410.30 sec17.80 sec106 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.9 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts95 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsBolts: 7 ft-lbs, Screws: 8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub160 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 700, AT: 600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number55D23L
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca

Service checks

RPM44.1-49.7 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression156
Engine Oil Pressure4.2 psi @ Idle, 22-80 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.748 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9011 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9016 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for the Toyota Yaris shows a significant spike in complaints between 2007 and 2009, with numbers peaking at 296 in 2007 before trending downward. The 2008 model year sits within this high-complaint arc, recording 218 complaints, 10 recalls, and 3 investigations. While this is a reduction from 2007, it remains substantially higher than the 103 complaints reported for 2009. For 2008, the primary complaint areas were Air Bags (88), Vehicle Speed Control (10), Suspension (9), and Service Brakes (8), which included 51 crash complaints and one fire complaint. The data does not specify the root causes for these issues, although 151 TSBs were issued for the year. Because 2008 falls within the peak period of reported issues for this generation, it is not the most ideal year to buy.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
151
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
218
Owner complaints
51 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 218 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags88
Vehicle Speed Control10
Suspension9
Service Brakes8
Power Train6
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Fuel/Propulsion System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V741000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/10/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front…

17V006000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA… Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 151 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Yaris. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Yaris take?

3.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Yaris have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Yaris get?

EPA figures are 29 city / 35 highway / 31 combined mpg.