TOYOTA ECHO · model year

2000 TOYOTA ECHO

117 NHTSA complaints, 35 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000TOYOTAECHO carries 117 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 35 crashes, 1 fire, 26 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 ECHO is air bags:frontal with 14 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (12) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2000 ECHO, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

117
Complaints
35
Crashes
1
Fires
26
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

117 filings

Crashes Reported

35 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS7
AIR BAGS5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER4
SUSPENSION3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN3
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER3
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
TIRES3
SUSPENSION:FRONT2

Recalls (3)

04V45500017/09/2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RECESS RETAINS A RUBBER SEAL RING, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE END OF THE CYLINDER BODY, AND MAY BE CORRODED DUE TO AN IMPROPER WASHING PROCESS.

01V32600010/10/2001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DUE TO A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF CONDITIONS WHICH CONSIST OF COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LOAD APPLIED FROM AIR CONDITIONER AND OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES, AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY

00V25600007/09/2000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. CONDENSED M

Recent Complaints

20260107CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

IT Was a small accident in the rear bumper someone Was backing up and he crashed the Back part of his car

20260107CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

IT Was a small accident in the rear bumper someone Was backing up and he crashed the Back part of his car

20210910TIRES

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Echo equipped with NEXEN Tire, Tire Line: N PRIZ, Tire Size: 175/65/R14, DOT Number: 8EJH. The contact replaced the original tires on July 1, 2021 and within 2 months the front driver’s side tire experienced a blowout. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,774. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 211,774

20210910TIRES

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Echo equipped with Nika Tires, Tire Line: Avatar, Tire Size: 175/65/R14, DOT Number: 16-MA-Z134-4919. The contact stated that she replaced the original tires on 6/29/2021 and within a month, the front passenger’s side tire experienced a blowout. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 211,774. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 211,774

20181113SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP IT FROM MOVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COWBOY TOYOTA (9525 E R L THORNTON FWY, DALLAS, TX 75228, 888-434-4611), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1811131014. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,010.

Mileage: 260,010

20181113ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP IT FROM MOVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COWBOY TOYOTA (9525 E R L THORNTON FWY, DALLAS, TX 75228, 888-434-4611), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1811131014. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,010.

Mileage: 260,010

20181113VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP IT FROM MOVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COWBOY TOYOTA (9525 E R L THORNTON FWY, DALLAS, TX 75228, 888-434-4611), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1811131014. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,010.

Mileage: 260,010

20180813SEATS

DRIVER'S SEAT FAILURE (ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT SEAT FROM A COLLISION VEHICLE) ... SEAT BUTT PAN (MIDDLE METAL PANEL OF SEAT BASE/BOTTOM) METAL SPLIT, SPREADING APART TO THE POINT THAT CONNECTION TO THE METAL SEAT SIDE SUPPORTS SEPARATED FROM BUTT PAN ... STATIONARY

Mileage: 80,000

20180105CrashAIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT FAILED TO YIELD FROM THE LEFT. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE FACE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20160727AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG DASH LIGHT REMAINS "ON" WHENEVER ENGINE IS RUNNING.

Mileage: 134,000

20160421ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE SRS WARNING LIGHT (FLASH'S).

Mileage: 59,000

20140902CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A SHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A RIGHT SHOULDER AND KNEE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

20140902CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A SHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A RIGHT SHOULDER AND KNEE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

20130531LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

WHEN YOU ARE IN THE CAR AND THE MANUAL LOCKS ARE LOCKED YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR. YOU HAVE TO UNLOCK IT FIRST TO OPEN DOOR. NORMALLY A LOCKED DOOR WILL OPEN WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THEN WHEN YOU ARE LOCKED IN YOU CAN'T EVEN UNLOCK THE DOOR BY ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN AND INSERTING THE KEY TO UNLOCK IT. IT WILL NOT WORK. THEREFORE I HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND MESS WITH THE LOCK AND KEY TO GET IT UNLOCKED. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I SEE NO RECALLS ON THIS MATTER. I TALKED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP THAT SAYS THIS IS NOT FIXABLE. *TR

20120514CrashAIR BAGS

ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN, AND MY MOTHER IN LAW WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE FAST ENOUGH AND COLLIDED HEAD ON. THE CAR HAD QUITE A LOT OF DAMAGE, AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY (FOR SAFETY REASONS). HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY!!!! THE COLLISION WAS ENOUGH TO INCAPACITATE THE RADIATOR AND IT WAS HEAD-ON (NOT SIDE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT). GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I WOULD EXPECT THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, AND THE POLICE WERE AMAZED THAT IT DIDN'T. SHE WAS WEARING A SEATBELT, WHICH SAVED HER FROM THE WORST. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS, AS MANY VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE ARE REGISTERING THE SAME ISSUE! *JS

Mileage: 92,000

20111210VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED PROBLEMS TWICE IN A 24-HOUR PERIOD AS FOLLOWS:THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, 2011: WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT IN REVERSE (WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR), THE CAR ENGINE SURGED AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WERE PRESSED DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKES TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING BACKWARD UNCONTROLLABLY AT A HIGH SPEED. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING HARD, BUT IT QUIETED A LITTLE. I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE TO TEST THAT FUNCTIONALITY, AND IT SEEMED TO BE UNAFFECTED. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, RE-STARTED IT, AND TRIED TO MOVE AGAIN IN REVERSE. THIS RESULTED IN THE AFOREMENTIONED ENGINE SURGE. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR AROUND THE PARKING LOT TO TEST FOR DRIVEABILITY AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES AT THIS POINT WITH THE CAR MOVING FORWARD.FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 2001: DROVE THE CAR TO WORK IN THE MORNING AFTER LETTING IT RUN FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES DUE TO COLD OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES. AF

Mileage: 74,000

20110214CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD UPON CONTACT. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V455000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER) BUT THE REPAIR WORK HAD NEVER BEEN PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 213,000.

Mileage: 213,000

20100919VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CLUNKY CLUTCH ON A BRAND-NEW 2000 ECHO THAT TOYOTA NEVER BELIEVED SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. *TR

Mileage: 100

20100919POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CLUNKY CLUTCH ON A BRAND-NEW 2000 ECHO THAT TOYOTA NEVER BELIEVED SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. *TR

Mileage: 100

20100919EQUIPMENT

CLUNKY CLUTCH ON A BRAND-NEW 2000 ECHO THAT TOYOTA NEVER BELIEVED SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. *TR

Mileage: 100

Compare 2000TOYOTAECHO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 TOYOTA ECHO have?
The 2000 TOYOTA ECHO has 117 NHTSA complaints, 35 crashes, 1 fires, 26 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 TOYOTA ECHO?
Yes, the 2000 TOYOTA ECHO has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 TOYOTA ECHO?
The most-complained component for the 2000 TOYOTA ECHO is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 2000 TOYOTA ECHO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.