2015 Yaris LE built in France question

[klemmaniac]

I'm looking at a used 2015 Yaris LE for $12,000 used with 12,000 miles on it. History report looks clean enough and it's at a dealer not too far from where I live. I noticed on the report that it was built/manufactured in France. I read somewhere on this forum that there are some potential problems with those cars including an electronic latch on the back door that can fail. Is this a common problem and are there any other things I should be aware of concerning the models built in France? I worked on a ship built in France one time - it was full of design flaws and things that just made me scratch my head wondering who would build something like this... this seems like a good deal and the end of the month is coming up so I might make a move, but wanted to ask about it here first. Thanks for any info and advice.

[JMJahn]

Google the new French plant and have a look.
All European (and I suppose US) Yaris models are made at the new French plant.
As far as design and build quality, Toyota is in charge not the French.
I would agree about engineering products coming out of France and
that's why I've never considered buying Citroën.
My present vehicle is a RAV4 made in Japan 2007. There was one design flaw (wind noise) which
Toyota fixed no questions asked, I have every confidence that
Toyota is very very quality control aware, or I would not consider them.

[mrpj]

If you mean the hatch door, then I have not read or heard of any problems with an electronic latch.
I also frequent a U.K. Toyota forum and have not read of anything similar on there.
The only thing some owners (Mk 3) have experienced with that door is the need to slam it fairly hard for it to shut properly. Mine is like that and there isn't any adjustment to the latch either.
My March 2014, French built Yaris has, so far, been totally trouble free.

[klemmaniac]

Originally Posted by mrpj

If you mean the hatch door, then I have not read or heard of any problems with an electronic latch.
I also frequent a U.K. Toyota forum and have not read of anything similar on there.
The only thing some owners (Mk 3) have experienced with that door is the need to slam it fairly hard for it to shut properly. Mine is like that and there isn't any adjustment to the latch either.
My March 2014, French built Yaris has, so far, been totally trouble free.

Yes I meant the hatch door-I read at least one post by a user who had a problem with the electronic lock failing and they were frustrated that there was no manual latch to open it. Maybe it was just a rare problem, but I hate having to rely on electronics that could be expensive to repair. Give me hand crank windows and manual latches any day. But the deal looks good and the low mileage is attractive. What do you think? I wonder what it would cost to fix if the lock failed like it did for that other unlucky owner

[Kalispel]

2015 Manual 5-spd SE - manufactured late 2014 France - purchased July/Aug 2015 Colorado, USA.

TRD rear-sway-bar is the only performance modification added thus far (highly recommended for extra stability/handling).

Currently has a bit over 12k miles on it, and one year into my ownership experience.

Only problem(s) thus far:

- Little plastic fins under front bumper, in front of each wheel installed incorrectly @ factory - dealership corrected under warranty.

- Annoying rattle/buzz in drivers-side side air vent on choppy roads or bumps - dealership corrected under warranty.

Other than that, the car has been exemplary, and I'm loving it as a fun-to-drive daily driver.

[klemmaniac]

Originally Posted by Kalispel

2015 Manual 5-spd SE - manufactured late 2014 France - purchased July/Aug 2015 Colorado, USA.

TRD rear-sway-bar is the only performance modification added thus far (highly recommended for extra stability/handling).

Currently has a bit over 12k miles on it, and one year into my ownership experience.

Only problem(s) thus far:

- Little plastic fins under front bumper, in front of each wheel installed incorrectly @ factory - dealership corrected under warranty.

- Annoying rattle/buzz in drivers-side side air vent on choppy roads or bumps - dealership corrected under warranty.

Other than that, the car has been exemplary, and I'm loving it as a fun-to-drive daily driver.

Thanks for sharing your experience with it-not surprised about things bein installed backwards-that french ship I was on had all sorts of things assembled incorrectly. I'm getting cold feet about this listing the more I think about it. I don't doubt that the most important parts of the car will be reliable but am concerned about having to make repairs to the interior/other parts moreso than with a Japanese made version. I've read other past posts that comment on the cheaper more flimsy materials on the interior in the french models compared to the interior of Japanese models-how things fall apart more or quicker-how do you feel about the durability or lasting quality of materials in your interior, if possible, compared to other models of Yaris you might have seen or owned?

[justanotherdrunk]

drove a 2015 rental Yaris L 9500 miles 35 states in 11 days last year

mostly highway 75+ with some very bad and even dirt roads

beat the crap out of her

shes boat anchor reliable super comfortable and rattle free

so i bought one

[Kalispel]

Originally Posted by klemmaniac

Thanks for sharing your experience with it-not surprised about things bein installed backwards-that french ship I was on had all sorts of things assembled incorrectly. I'm getting cold feet about this listing the more I think about it. I don't doubt that the most important parts of the car will be reliable but am concerned about having to make repairs to the interior/other parts moreso than with a Japanese made version. I've read other past posts that comment on the cheaper more flimsy materials on the interior in the french models compared to the interior of Japanese models-how things fall apart more or quicker-how do you feel about the durability or lasting quality of materials in your interior, if possible, compared to other models of Yaris you might have seen or owned?

I'm pretty OCD about details and such, and those were the only real fit/finish issues with my French-built Yaris that I have found (and I have looked for them, lol). For comparison purposes, the 9 new Honda/Acura vehicles that I have owned from 1982 to 2015 (all Japanese built except for the 2000 Accord I believe), had more minor issues than that fixed under warranty the first year or two. You have to remember that Toyota has pretty stringent quality controls in place for manufacturing, regardless of where they build their cars. This has allowed them (and Lexus) to dominate the short & long term quality surveys/reviews, well ahead of even Honda, etc.

If my Yaris was totaled tomorrow, the first thing that I would do is track down a 2016 Yaris SE to replace it (before the new Mazda2-Yaris makes its debut in 2017 models) - though I might try another color this time around (perhaps blue, silver or gray, if not white).

[klemmaniac]

Originally Posted by Kalispel

I'm pretty OCD about details and such, and those were the only real fit/finish issues with my French-built Yaris that I have found (and I have looked for them, lol). For comparison purposes, the 9 new Honda/Acura vehicles that I have owned from 1982 to 2015 (all Japanese built except for the 2000 Accord I believe), had more minor issues than that fixed under warranty the first year or two. You have to remember that Toyota has pretty stringent quality controls in place for manufacturing, regardless of where they build their cars. This has allowed them (and Lexus) to dominate the short & long term quality surveys/reviews, well ahead of even Honda, etc.

If my Yaris was totaled tomorrow, the first thing that I would do is track down a 2016 Yaris SE to replace it (before the new Mazda2-Yaris makes its debut in 2017 models) - though I might try another color this time around (perhaps blue, silver or gray, if not white).

Ok that makes me feel better about looking at French built models. I just have to make sure that the problems were fixed before the warranty expired if that's an issue I guess. I did just find a Honda fit base 2012 for less than $12,000 listed with 41k miles...I might have to check that out, but the Yaris is still on the list.

That road trip looks awesome and it's good to know the Yaris can handle a trip like that. On the Fitfreak forums I notice more users suggesting that the Fit is not great for road trips, whereas here I notice a lot of users are vouching for the Yaris' capability in that department.

[JMJahn]

Originally Posted by Kalispel

2015 Manual 5-spd SE - manufactured late 2014 France - purchased July/Aug 2015 Colorado, USA.

TRD rear-sway-bar is the only performance modification added thus far (highly recommended for extra stability/handling).

Currently has a bit over 12k miles on it, and one year into my ownership experience.

Only problem(s) thus far:

- Little plastic fins under front bumper, in front of each wheel installed incorrectly @ factory - dealership corrected under warranty.

- Annoying rattle/buzz in drivers-side side air vent on choppy roads or bumps - dealership corrected under warranty.

Other than that, the car has been exemplary, and I'm loving it as a fun-to-drive daily driver.

Can you give an original part number for that TRD rear-sway-bar
Something I might find in Europe ? I can find front torsion bars here in Denmark but not the rear. (Stang/led, stabilisator
TRW - Ref.: JTS7710)


Is it this one ?
Genuine Toyota Parts PTR11-34070 TRD Sway Bar

[Kalispel]

Originally Posted by JMJahn

Can you give an original part number for that TRD rear-sway-bar
Something I might find in Europe ? I can find front torsion bars here in Denmark but not the rear. (Stang/led, stabilisator
TRW - Ref.: JTS7710)

The Toyota/TRD part number for the Yaris/xD-compatible sway bar is TRD PTR11-52071.

It fits my 2015 SE perfectly, despite the official outdated TRD description stating that it is for the 2007-2011 Yaris or 2008-2012 Scion xD. I understand, however, that the 2012-2014 SE requires different bolts than the ones included with the TRD sway bar due to the presence of a dampener component already in the sway-bar bolt slot of that particular model (2015-2016 SE can use TRD bolts, since that bolt-slot isn't being used by the dampeners or whatever any more).

You might be able to order it from Amazon USA (link below), if it isn't readily available in Europe. I order books and stuff all the time off of Amazon U.K. without any issues, and have them mailed to me in Arizona, USA.

https://www.amazon.com/Rear-Sway-Sci...ds=PTR11-52071

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Scion...ds=PTR11-52071

[bronsin]

My Japanese built 09 (forget about the French) has needed a new waterpump, a new oil pressure sensor (All but a quart of oil came out all over the road. thankfully I saw the oil light just as it came on) and $200 in air conditioner repairs. Just 44k too!

Seems like a bit much to me! Im on the hairy edge of it with this car I can tell you! Toyota must be taking lessons from VW.

On the other hand...

The wifes 05 Camry (American built) has 135k on it and has just needed a water pump at 100k. The car looks and runs like new! Of course, Im the one who takes care of it.

American/French its a tossup as which I wouldnt expect "Toyota" from.

[klemmaniac]

Originally Posted by bronsin

My Japanese built 09 (forget about the French) has needed a new waterpump, a new oil pressure sensor (All but a quart of oil came out all over the road. thankfully I saw the oil light just as it came on) and $200 in air conditioner repairs. Just 44k too!

Seems like a bit much to me! Im on the hairy edge of it with this car I can tell you! Toyota must be taking lessons from VW.

On the other hand...

The wifes 05 Camry (American built) has 135k on it and has just needed a water pump at 100k. The car looks and runs like new! Of course, Im the one who takes care of it.

American/French its a tossup as which I wouldnt expect "Toyota" from.

Ok, sorry yours didn't hold up and live up to Toyota's standards. It's kind of a crapshoot I guess, but chances should be better with Toyota even if built in France. I'm getting a little colder on my leaning towards getting a Yaris. I'm not seeing a big price difference between used Yaris and Fits lately and I would actually prefer the Fit for more cargo space. I was interested in the Yaris for it's simplicity and comparatively low cost, but just not finding a substantial price difference between it and the other hatchbacks I'm looking at (namely the Fit).

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by klemmaniac

Ok, sorry yours didn't hold up and live up to Toyota's standards. It's kind of a crapshoot I guess, but chances should be better with Toyota even if built in France. I'm getting a little colder on my leaning towards getting a Yaris. I'm not seeing a big price difference between used Yaris and Fits lately and I would actually prefer the Fit for more cargo space. I was interested in the Yaris for it's simplicity and comparatively low cost, but just not finding a substantial price difference between it and the other hatchbacks I'm looking at (namely the Fit).

Have you seen the latest stats from CR which show a drop in reliability of Hondas? Fits only get an average rating now.

[klemmaniac]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Have you seen the latest stats from CR which show a drop in reliability of Hondas? Fits only get an average rating now.

Yes that bothers me a bit, but conversing with Fit owners on forums and in person, it still seems to be a "bulletproof" and extremely reliable car. While I like reading reports and ratings on cars the skeptic in me always wonders if there is some back door dealing going on-so I pay more attention to conversations with private owners-they all seem to vouch for the car as living up to the Honda standard n reputation.

[dogsridewith]

Are any of these things a mechanic could have messed up getting to other things?

Originally Posted by bronsin

My Japanese built 09 (forget about the French) has needed a new waterpump, a new oil pressure sensor (All but a quart of oil came out all over the road. thankfully I saw the oil light just as it came on) and $200 in air conditioner repairs. Just 44k too!

Seems like a bit much to me! Im on the hairy edge of it with this car I can tell you! Toyota must be taking lessons from VW.

On the other hand...

The wifes 05 Camry (American built) has 135k on it and has just needed a water pump at 100k. The car looks and runs like new! Of course, Im the one who takes care of it.

American/French its a tossup as which I wouldnt expect "Toyota" from.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by dogsridewith

Are any of these things a mechanic could have messed up getting to other things?

The car was delivered new with an overfilled oil sump. It's possible that led to blowing the oil pressure sensor.

Also, although I bought the car new a body shop told me the car had had previous work. Not while I had it! Possibly the car was damaged in transit and repaired before sale by the dealer.

[JMJahn]

Great thanks. That gives me a chance (having product number)
customs and taxes on imports are a bitch here in Denmark.
But I can possible find them within the EU.