I bought this car a month ago with 97K miles after my Echo (which was the greatest car I ever owned) bit the dust. I knew the Yaris replaced the Echo so I looked for one thinking it would be as reliable as my Echo. Noted car had a distinct CLUNK that I could not figure out originating from front suspension after a week or so. I decided to find out/fix it based on process of elimination.

I first replaced front struts. No effect. Next was the Control Arms (they looked worn out when I was doing the struts). Seemed like a simple job... WRONG!!!! The bolts were all very difficult to remove and it took a lot of force and pipes on the ends of wrenches. The front bolt (the horizontal one) was the toughest but I broke it free. It remained difficult to turn even after being broken free. I had it out about 1/4" and then CRACK! It broke free completely... and I mean COMPLETELY!

The bolt was free and turned like it had been removed but wouldn't come out... it was stuck. What had happened was there is an inner bolt welded to the interior of the Subframe which evidently rusted/rotted away and now it was 100% stuck INSIDE the frame with NO WAY to get the bolt out!!!! This is completely ridiculous!!! I have taken it to be worked on by a professional and have to rent a car in the meantime. The Front Frame needs replaced... and its not cheap!!! VERY disappointed in this flaw.

An OBVIOUS failure by Toyota and this seems to be a common issue which they refused to address. Turns out the clunk was the same bolt broken of on the other side. VERY disappointed in Toyota. Looks like the Echo was a fluke and this car is a hunk of junk not made to last like that mighty car was! prob never buying a Toyota again.

Have had this car since it was brand new. Popping metal sound when braking. Found right wheel not moving for just a second. Got it in to a shop to find out that the the front suspension bolt on the right side was rusted out and the head broken off. All other sub frame bolts looked new still.

Was told it would cost close to $1000 to drop subframe, drill out rusted bolt, and replace control arm (thinking the bushing was probably bad from the rusted bolt). Called Toyota Corporate. Was told there was a 7 year extension program for this problem and that if the dealership verified it then it would be covered 100%. Was given a case number.

Once dealer looked at it they agreed it was exactly the problem but would not cover it under warranty because the car had over 100K miles (note: it was 104,450 miles). This had not been told to me when I called Corporate. Called them back. Now they (Corporate) say that is right - it is 7 years or 100K - whichever comes first. They would not budge from this because they already had extended the warranty on this. I have a real problem that Toyota knows enough to extend warranty about this problem but not willing to let their Yaris owners know to watch for the problem. It is like they put it there to help keep it away from a total recall, but hopes that the problem doesn't surface until after the extended time/miles.

We will sell this car soon as possible before something else we don't know about breaks. Our next car will definitely NOT be a Toyota with Corporate customer service like this!!

Only good thing - Ends up the control arm bushing was fine. So that did not have to be replaced. End cost approximately $500. Anyone that owns a Yaris and is under the above time frame - GET YOUR SUBFRAME BOLTS CHECKED OUT CLOSE TO THE END OF THE 7-YEAR/100k TIME!!!