With the Toyota Aygo, the Japanese car manufacturer has offered a practical city car since 2005. The small car is especially economical and compact, but offers little space inside. Moreover, some owners miss performance and that is unfortunately not the only weakness...
In the past, the Toyota Aygo has had several problems, be it loss of coolant, weak brakes or worn clutches. There are a few issues that car owners should keep an eye on. On this page you will find an overview of known problems. Do you have any additions? Feel free to let us know at the bottom of this page.
Most common Toyota Aygo
- Loss of coolant in the petrol engine
- Wear of brake discs
- Increased possibility of rust formation
- Faulty couplings
- Water penetration in the interior
- Weak lighting
- Occasional problems with the Bluetooth connection
Problems Toyota Aygo X (from 2022)
In November 2021, the Japanese carmaker presented the third generation of the popular small car, which will be sold as the Toyota Aygo X. The model has grown considerably compared to its predecessors and stands higher on its wheels, so we are talking about a crossover.
The 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 72 hp continues to provide the drive. In addition to the five-speed manual transmission, a continuously variable transmission is also available as an option. The Toyota Aygo X celebrated its market launch in spring 2022. So far, there are no known recalls or classic weak points but this may come with time.
Problems Toyota Aygo II Type AB40 (2014 to 2021)
The 2nd generation of the Toyota Aygo followed in spring 2014. Again, the small car is almost identical to competitors such as the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108. The only available one-litre three-cylinder was revised; a diesel engine was no longer available.
With the five-speed manual gearbox and the five-speed automated manual gearbox, there was again a choice of two gearbox variants.
In 2008, a facelift was carried out. There were optical adjustments, but also changes to the drive train. The petrol engine received a new injection system and the compression ratio was increased. This increased the power from 69 PS to 72 PS.
Classic problems with petrol engines
Even with the overhauled three-cylinder petrol engine, the problems with loss of coolant could apparently not be solved. The drive still attracts attention with leaking water pumps, leading to loss of coolant. Only from 2018, with the optimised drive (identification 1KR-VE), the problems became less.
Therefore, car owners should keep an eye on the engine temperature and the coolant level. Oil spills are not a problem with the Toyota Aygo and the small car also passes the emissions test with flying colours. Although the vehicles drive mostly in city traffic, the exhaust systems are unobtrusive. With frequent short trips, condensation often collects here, which can lead to rust.
Nevertheless, it is important to give the Toyota Aygo a good kick every now and then. This recharges the batteries and burns off any carbon deposits. The annual oil change should be observed, because the engine oil gets diluted when driving frequently in the city, which worsens the lubrication and causes consequent damage.
The brake as a typical weak point
The Toyota Aygo is known by garages for its defective brake system. From the first appointment, the little car stood out with a high degree of wear on the brake discs.
Rust was also a weak point in the first generation from 2014. Good ground protection is recommended. The chassis poses no problems and the steering and drive shafts are solid.
The lighting of the 2nd generation is a weak point, so check this regularly. Nevertheless, this Toyota Aygo is well known to the inspection authorities.
Recalls: from electronics problems to manufacturing defects
With the first models, it was not excluded that a poorly routed wiring harness would wear out, causing the lighting equipment to fail. Therefore, Toyota launched its first recall.
In addition, a fault in the mechanics of the headlamp meant that the manufacturer intervened. The problem prevented switching between low and high beam or vice versa. Another recall was necessary because a manufacturing defect in the seam of a rear seat belt led to an increased risk of injury.
Problems Toyota Aygo I type AB10 (2005 to 2014)
The first Toyota Aygo was built and sold between 2005 and 2014. The small car shared a common base with the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107. A three-cylinder petrol engine with a one-litre displacement and camshaft adjustment, also known as a VVT-i, provided propulsion. An inline four-cylinder diesel engine was available only briefly until 2007.
Initially, a five-speed manual transmission was responsible for power transmission, followed later by an automatic transmission. In late 2008, Toyota implemented a facelift with minor visual changes. The engines became more environmentally friendly. The second facelift followed in spring 2012. The appearance and efficiency of the engines were again improved.
Petrol with loss of coolant
The three-cylinder petrol engine in the Toyota Aygo bears the identification 1KR-FE and has proved stable so far. The technology developed by Daihatsu poses few problems. Instead of the timing belt, a timing chain used, which is actually maintenance-free and durable. In addition, the consumption is less than five litres per 100 kilometres.
Nevertheless, the petrol engine has its weakness. After only a few years, the water pump in many vehicles started to leak, leading to a loss of coolant. So be alert for this, think of water stains on the floor, but also coloured deposits (usually red or blue) in the engine compartment.
A greater loss of coolant can lead to overheating of the engine, resulting in further consequential damage. In the worst case, defective cylinder head gaskets or even warped engine blocks cannot be excluded. Major engine damage is possible, so check the coolant level regularly.
Problems with the inspections
During inspections, there are several points that require attention. While the chassis, including the steering system and drive shafts, usually remain unaffected, rust tends to blossom with age. Car owners should take timely countermeasures here to avoid serious problems.
The lighting is regularly criticised; both the low beam and the rear lights are conspicuous by their defects. The brake discs are also considered a typical weak point, and from the fifth year at the latest, the function of the brakes also decreases. As with the chassis, corrosion on the brake pipes is a problem.
Few complaints to the Wegenwacht
The Toyota Aygo is doing well in the breakdown statistics. And this despite the fact that there are obviously several breakdown points. Besides broken exhaust pipes (2007 to 2010), dead batteries (2008 to 2014) and faulty clutches (2007, 2009) are the main problems. As a result of the clutch problems, damage to the transmission was not uncommon.
The shift rod can easily come loose on 2007 vehicles, and 2009 models also have defective alternators and headlights. Faulty starters (2007) complete the list of the most common causes of malfunction.
Recall actions Aygo I
The Toyota Aygo has had several recalls. Some vehicles had, among other things, problems with the electronic accelerator pedal, which became stiff and stuck when pressed. This meant that accidents could not be ruled out. This has been solved by Toyota.
In addition, in some models of the Toyota Aygo, the starter kept running even after the engine had successfully started, leading to overloading and subsequent failure. A cable fire was also a possibility, so workshops added a time-controlled relay that automatically cuts the power after 90 seconds.
In vehicles from the year 2007, a connection between the fuel tank and the filler neck was fitted which did not meet the set requirements. This can lead to a loss of fuel. Poor adhesion of the rear ventilation window completes the list of recalls.
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