Toyota Auris Common Problems in Ireland: Recalls and What to Check

The Toyota Auris was one of the most common family hatchbacks on Irish roads for more than a decade, and thousands are still for sale as affordable used cars, many of them hybrids. Its reputation for reliability is strong, but no car is free of faults. This guide to Toyota Auris common problems in Ireland lists the official recalls that covered Irish cars, explains which build dates were affected, and gives you a practical checklist for petrol, diesel and hybrid versions before you buy.

Quick Summary

• The Auris was sold from 2007 until the current Corolla hatchback took over in 2019. The hybrid arrived in 2010 and the Touring Sports estate in 2013.
• Irish recalls covered the accelerator pedal (2010), the power window switch on 10,357 Auris built from 2006 to 2008 (2012), hybrid system software (2015 and 2018) and a passenger airbag inflator (2018).
• Every one of these recalls was fixed free of charge by Toyota dealers. The key question on a used car is whether the work was actually done.
• The RSA's published recall lists for 2025 and 2026 do not include an Auris campaign.
• On a hybrid, a Toyota Hybrid Health Check tests the system and battery and can extend battery cover by one year or 15,000 km at a time, up to the car's 15th anniversary.

Looking for one? Browse used Toyota cars for sale on EcoSteer, or see all used hybrid cars for sale on EcoSteer if you want a self-charging hybrid.

Toyota Auris generations at a glance

Knowing the generation and build date of a car is the first step, because most recalls apply to specific production windows.

Generation	Years	Key points
First generation	2007 to 2012	Went on sale in early 2007. Petrol and diesel engines, with the Auris Hybrid added in 2010, built at Toyota's Burnaston plant in England.
Second generation	2012 to 2015	Production started in November 2012. The Touring Sports estate followed in 2013.
Second generation, facelift	2015 to 2019	Restyled in 2015 with a new 1.2T turbo petrol, a 1.6 D-4D diesel and the optional Toyota Safety Sense pack.

Toyota described the original Auris Hybrid as the first full-production hybrid car built in Europe. By the 2015 facelift, the 1.8 hybrid produced 134bhp in total and was the most popular choice for buyers who wanted low running costs.

Toyota Auris recalls in Ireland

Below are the recalls that were reported for Irish Auris cars by Toyota Ireland and in the Irish press. Vehicle numbers are the figures given for Ireland at the time, and some include other Toyota models.

Year	Issue	Irish cars	Build period
2010	Accelerator pedal could stick or not return to idle due to wear in the mechanism	26,000 across eight Toyota ranges	Not stated (1.4 petrol Auris excluded)
2012	Power window switch could wear early and malfunction	10,357 Auris	September 2006 to December 2008
2015	Hybrid system software could let transistors overheat and shut the hybrid system down	589 Auris Hybrid and Prius	May 2010 to November 2014 (global range)
2018	Replacement front passenger airbag inflator may have been fitted incorrectly	1,893 Corolla and Auris	October 2006 to 2012
2018	Hybrid system might not switch to its fail-safe driving mode after a fault	1,289 Prius, Prius+ and Auris hybrids	October 2008 to November 2014

Accelerator pedal (2010)

In February 2010 Toyota Ireland recalled around 26,000 cars from eight model ranges, including the Auris, because the accelerator could stick or fail to return to idle in rare cases due to wear in the mechanism. The 1.4 petrol Auris was not part of the recall. Most affected cars were fixed years ago, but on an early Auris you should still confirm it with a dealer.

Power window switch (2012)

In October 2012 Toyota announced a recall of more than 36,000 cars in Ireland, including 10,357 Auris built between September 2006 and December 2008. The driver's power window switch could wear early and malfunction, and Toyota warned that applying a commercial lubricant to the switch could make the problem worse. Check that every window works from the driver's switch panel.

Hybrid system software (2015 and 2018)

Two separate software recalls affected the Auris Hybrid. In July 2015, 589 Auris Hybrid and Prius cars in Ireland needed an update to the hybrid control software, because heat could build up around some transistors and damage them, which could shut the hybrid system down while driving. In October 2018 a second recall covered 1,289 Prius, Prius+ and Auris hybrids built between October 2008 and November 2014. In rare cases the hybrid system could develop a fault and fail to switch into its fail-safe driving mode, causing a loss of power and a stall, although steering and braking were not affected. Both fixes were free software updates at a Toyota dealer.

Passenger airbag inflator (2018)

In June 2018 Toyota Ireland recalled 1,893 Corolla and Auris cars built from October 2006 to 2012. Some had received a replacement front passenger airbag inflator that may have been fitted the wrong way round, so it might not seal properly and the airbag might not inflate as designed in a crash. Toyota dealers inspect and replace the part free of charge. This is the most important recall to confirm on any first-generation Auris.

What the recent RSA lists show

The RSA publishes recalls by manufacturer each year. The 2025 and 2026 lists include Toyota campaigns for newer models such as the Corolla, C-HR, Yaris and Proace, but no Auris campaign. That does not guarantee a used car has no open action, so the VIN check below still matters.

Hybrid checks that matter on a used Auris

The Auris Hybrid is the version most buyers look for, and its hybrid system has a good reputation. The main risk on an older car is not knowing how the hybrid battery has been treated. Toyota Ireland offers two useful checks:

• Hybrid Health Check: carried out with every Toyota Hybrid Service. It includes a diagnostic test of the hybrid system, a battery health check, a battery insulation test, an auxiliary battery charging test and a cooling system check.
• Hybrid Battery Extended Care: after a Hybrid Health Check in the Toyota network, the hybrid battery is covered for one year or 15,000 km, whichever comes sooner. Each annual check renews the cover, with no limit on total mileage, up to the 15th anniversary of the car's registration.

Ask the seller for recent Hybrid Health Check results, or pay for one before you buy. Also check that the hybrid battery cooling vent, usually near the rear seats, is not blocked, because the cooling system is part of the health check. A weak 12 volt auxiliary battery can cause warning lights or a car that will not start, so ask when it was last replaced.

For more on hybrid faults and imports, read our guide to Toyota Prius common problems in Ireland, which shares much of its hybrid technology with the Auris.

Petrol and diesel Auris: what to check

Petrol and diesel versions are simpler, but they need the usual checks for a car of their age.

• Manual gearbox and clutch: a heavy or high biting point, slipping under acceleration or crunching gear changes all point to wear.
• Diesel engines: the 1.4 and 1.6 D-4D diesels suit higher mileage drivers. A car used only for short local trips may have soot build-up in the diesel particulate filter, so watch for warning lights and ask how the car was used.
• 1.2T petrol: found on facelifted cars from 2015. Check the service record shows regular oil changes, as with any small turbo petrol.
• Automatic gearboxes: petrol Auris automatics should pull away and change smoothly with no jerking or delayed engagement.

Buying a used Toyota Auris in Ireland: checklist

• VIN recall check: ask a Toyota dealer to check the VIN for open recalls, especially on cars built from 2006 to 2014.
• Service history: look for regular stamps or invoices. On hybrids, Toyota network Hybrid Services matter for the battery cover.
• NCT and paperwork: check the NCT certificate and that the vehicle registration certificate matches the car's engine and fuel type. Our guide on how to pass the NCT first time lists the most common failure points.
• Windows and switches: test every electric window from the driver's switch panel.
• Brakes: hybrids recover energy when slowing, so their brake discs can corrode from light use. Look for rust on the disc faces and listen for grinding.
• Warning lights: all lights should go out after start-up, and a hybrid should show the READY light without fault messages.
• Bodywork and suspension: check for uneven tyre wear and knocks over bumps, which can point to worn suspension parts.
• Imports: if the car came from the UK or Japan, confirm VRT has been paid and check its history before you buy.

Is a used Toyota Auris right for you?

A well-maintained Auris, especially a hybrid with a documented service history, remains one of the more sensible used hatchbacks in Ireland. Most of its official problems were dealt with through free recalls, so your job is to confirm that work was done and that the hybrid system is healthy. Compare prices on used Toyota cars for sale on EcoSteer and browse hybrid cars on EcoSteer before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Toyota Auris problems in Ireland?

The official issues were recalls: the accelerator pedal in 2010, the power window switch in 2012, hybrid system software in 2015 and 2018, and a passenger airbag inflator in 2018. All were fixed free by Toyota dealers, so check the work was done on the car you are buying.

Has the Toyota Auris been recalled in Ireland?

Yes, several times. The largest was the 2012 window switch recall, which covered 10,357 Auris built between September 2006 and December 2008. The RSA lists for 2025 and 2026 do not include an Auris campaign.

Is the Toyota Auris Hybrid reliable?

The hybrid system has a good reputation, and two software recalls were fixed with free updates. Ask for recent Toyota Hybrid Health Check results, which test the hybrid system, battery, insulation, 12 volt battery and cooling system.

How long does the Auris hybrid battery last?

There is no fixed lifespan. Toyota Ireland's Hybrid Battery Extended Care covers the battery for one year or 15,000 km after each Hybrid Health Check in the Toyota network, up to the 15th anniversary of registration.

Which Toyota Auris should I buy?

A 2015 to 2019 facelifted hybrid with a full Toyota service history is the safest choice for most drivers. If you buy an older car, confirm that the airbag and other recalls for its build date were completed.

Sources

• RTÉ: Toyota recalls 26,000 cars in Ireland (February 2010)
• TheJournal.ie: Toyota recall of Irish cars (October 2012)
• CompleteCar.ie: Toyota recalls Prius and Auris hybrid models (July 2015)
• JOE.ie: Toyota voluntary recall of Corolla and Auris (June 2018)
• CompleteCar.ie: Toyota Prius, Prius+ and Auris models recalled (October 2018)
• RSA: Recalls by manufacturer (2025)
• RSA: Recalls by manufacturer (2026)
• Toyota Ireland: Hybrid Service
• Toyota UK media: Auris timeline
• Toyota UK media: The new Toyota Auris (March 2015)