New '09 Yaris ... Problems ?

[odin the terrible]

Greetings,

Took delivery of our new Yaris just before Christmas and I have to say that I'm quite impressed with it compared with our Aygo which we had from new and px'd against the Yaris.

However, there are a few small niggles which the dealer has said are not important, but which are giving me some grounds for concern and I was wondering if there are any other owners of new Yaris' who might be able to offer their experiences of their vehicles for comparison ?

First and most important is the braking system. When you apply the brakes at low speed (when parking etc) there is a very noticeable metallic grating noise ... much like you get when the pads are worn down and need replacing. I've always been told that any such noise coming from the braking system is cause for concern but the dealer says not. Has anyone experienced this and is it normal ??

Secondly ... this may not be a 'problem' but it is certainly a very annoying situation ... then using the turning indicators (left or right), the unit's audio alert is so quiet that normal road noise blocks it out and the self cancelling feature is such that you need to turn the wheel well beyond half a full turn before it self cancels; meaning that I've found myself driving for some considerable distances before being aware of the fact that the unit has not cancelled after turning corners. The Aygo was much better in this respect. Is this as it should be or does this require attention??

Lastly, the fit of the side windows is another area of concern which the dealer has turned away from.

During the recent thaw, the side windows are heavy with dew in the mornings when I go to work. Rolling them down and then back up does NOT clear the dew droplets from the outside of the windows, suggesting to my mind that the weather seals are not in contact with the glass which might lead to long term rust problems. To clear the glass, you need to roll the windows down and then up whilst applying pressure to the inside of the windows in order to get them to contact the weather seals. Again ... is this correct or are the window seals badly fitted ???

I know this might seem like I'm being quite 'picky' ... but I have to say in comparison, the Aygo was far superior in these aspects than this Yaris, despite it being a 'budget' built vehicle. I just hope that the Yaris turns out to be as reliable as the Aygo.

I look forward to some input. Many thanks.

[Shappers]

Greetings,

Took delivery of our new Yaris just before Christmas and I have to say that I'm quite impressed with it compared with our Aygo which we had from new and px'd against the Yaris.

However, there are a few small niggles which the dealer has said are not important, but which are giving me some grounds for concern and I was wondering if there are any other owners of new Yaris' who might be able to offer their experiences of their vehicles for comparison ?

First and most important is the braking system. When you apply the brakes at low speed (when parking etc) there is a very noticeable metallic grating noise ... much like you get when the pads are worn down and need replacing. I've always been told that any such noise coming from the braking system is cause for concern but the dealer says not. Has anyone experienced this and is it normal ??

Secondly ... this may not be a 'problem' but it is certainly a very annoying situation ... then using the turning indicators (left or right), the unit's audio alert is so quiet that normal road noise blocks it out and the self cancelling feature is such that you need to turn the wheel well beyond half a full turn before it self cancels; meaning that I've found myself driving for some considerable distances before being aware of the fact that the unit has not cancelled after turning corners. The Aygo was much better in this respect. Is this as it should be or does this require attention??

Lastly, the fit of the side windows is another area of concern which the dealer has turned away from.

During the recent thaw, the side windows are heavy with dew in the mornings when I go to work. Rolling them down and then back up does NOT clear the dew droplets from the outside of the windows, suggesting to my mind that the weather seals are not in contact with the glass which might lead to long term rust problems. To clear the glass, you need to roll the windows down and then up whilst applying pressure to the inside of the windows in order to get them to contact the weather seals. Again ... is this correct or are the window seals badly fitted ???

I know this might seem like I'm being quite 'picky' ... but I have to say in comparison, the Aygo was far superior in these aspects than this Yaris, despite it being a 'budget' built vehicle. I just hope that the Yaris turns out to be as reliable as the Aygo.

I look forward to some input. Many thanks.

My car is a '58 plate, so before the facelift but i'm assuming most the parts are the same... so I will do my best to answer:

Brakes - Yes my brakes grind at low speeds. If they're not grinding then they're squeeking. Its something to do with the pads not having asbestos in anymore, hence being more noisey. It will be happening all the time, its just at higher speeds the tyre/wind noise covers it up. think youreself if they're only making a grinding noise not the annoying squeek!

Indicators - yes these are very very quiet. Very annoying, and given the offset of the console, often not that easy to spot you've left them on! can cause issues when you're driving along with the indicators on and not realising, had someone pull out on me at a junction because they thought I was turning left... only I'd left the indicator on... oops.

Not noticed an issues with the windows, Don't think its a problem though, you don't want the seals too tight or they'd squeek!

[reece]

The brakes are new and need a few hundred miles to bed in properly, also if you are doing only light braking (ie not motorway speeds) they will always be colder. With the damp conditions there is also a chance of them being corroded with a light surface of rust. Nothing to worry about regarding the brakes.

The audio alert for the indicators is low and has been discussed on here before, it’s a characteristic of all new Yaris’, the self cancellation is also normal.

I use an ice scrapper with a rubber blade on the one side to clear my windows first thing in the morning. Check to see if the glass is with contact with the door seals when the window is up, you may find that it is, if that’s the case then all is good. Any moisture that does leak through is drained away by small holes at the bottom of each door.

[Chris81]

None of those problems are 'correct' in the sense that they should be present in a car, however I've read posts on all of those problems on the Yaris over the years. Have a good search through and I'm sure you'll find a post on someone who was going to put a louder buzzer or relay on the indicator audio alert.

[odin the terrible]

Thanks for the responses !

[Sico2]

I've received my Yaris back in August. I've noticed the same problem with the brakes, but after few miles and some braking the noise disappears. I think it is always due to the harder pads compound than the discs and the rust build up over the night.

I did not notice any problems with the indicators. Can hear them pretty well and they shut off nicely as well.

I have the same with the side screens while having wet weather conditions. I noticed many times water leaking from under the front corner of front doors (while open), after washing the car or rinsing. I wondered where does it come from. I just hope it does not cause any problem in the future. Maybe it is due to the special bent windows shape? No idea. Toyota guys would have known this before, otherwise they hadn't install these front openings in the bottom lines of each door.

[Vitz_man]

My dads 57 plate had all of those symptoms. Not a problem, nothing to worry about. The car was absolutely fine until it got written off. :censor: What is it with my family and van drivers!? :P

[cabcurtains]

I noticed many times water leaking from under the front corner of front doors (while open), after washing the car or rinsing. I wondered where does it come from. I just hope it does not cause any problem in the future. Maybe it is due to the special bent windows shape? No idea. Toyota guys would have known this before, otherwise they hadn't install these front openings in the bottom lines of each door.

That sounds like the water building up in the channels, it could in the future be a place where rust will start, however when did you last see a rusty car ;)

Do you park on a slight gradient as my Passat does the same thing, you could fill a bucket when the door opens ;)

[aygoal]

Welcome another previous Aygo owner.

We have done 4000 miles in it since the end of Oct so our's is nicely run in now!!

I have noticed the brake noise recently, but the brakes are nice and effective so noissues there.

Re the windows, our Aygo was the same so no concerns.

Yes the indicator sound may as well not exist as it is so quiet!

However we are really pleased with our car and it was brilliant in the snow and ice. However as the car was far better than a 57 plate Fiesta on a slippery road we now need a new rear bumper and cross member, but that is a different story!

[alfiejts]

ALL car doors are designed to allow any water that gets inside the door to drain out through holes at the bottom of the door. Its not a Yaris or Toyota design issue at all...

The "seals" across the glass aren't designed to be perfect - they keep the worst out and any that does get into the door drains out.

There has to be some tolerence as people still try to open their windows when they're covered in frost, etc....

That's why, if you ever take a "inside" door panel off, you will see a plastic sealing sheet on the inside of the door, sealing the door off from the interior of the car.

The inside of the door is designed to be "open" to the elements to let any moisture or water inside air and dry out.

Its the plastic sealing sheet that then seals the door off from the interior panel.

If the door cavity was sealed or the holes blocked - then any moisture would be stuck inside and that really would cause rot.

This is how cars have been designed and built for as long as I can remember (and I start my memories with a 1966 Ford Cortina...). Its not an issue to worry about.