TOYOTA ECHO · model year

2001 TOYOTA ECHO

63 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001TOYOTAECHO carries 63 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 21 crashes, 8 fires, 23 injuries, and 2 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 2001 ECHO is air bags with 7 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (7) and vehicle speed control (6). 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 2 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 2001 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.

63
Complaints
21
Crashes
8
Fires
23
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

63 filings

Crashes Reported

21 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 BAGS7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
TIRES5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1

Recalls (2)

06V26600019/07/2006

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER MOLDING OF THE RESIN BODY OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENOR INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, ENGINE OIL MAY PENETRATE THE SEAL AND ENTER THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY ATTACHED TO THE LOCKING TAB OF THE SEN

02V26800001/10/2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNDER REPEATED START AND STOP OPERATION IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND IN DEEP SNOW, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT SNOW COULD ACCUMULATE IN LARGE QUANTITIES INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL AND FREEZE. THE SNOW FROZEN INSIDE THE WHEEL COULD CONTACT THE RE

Recent Complaints

20230209VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

While entering interstate accelerator was depressed all the way and became stuck on a couple of occasions. I had to use my foot to release it and it popped out. Dealership recommended it was floor mat. I purchased aftermarket ridged floor mats that will not curl up and it is still an issue.

20201023WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO EQUIPPED WITH PRIME WELL TIRES, TIRE LINE: PS830, TIRE SIZE: UNKNOWN: DOT: 7TB03MH13318. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HER FRONT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE BOTTOM SIDE. THE DAMAGE WAS A LONG TEAR AND HOLE IN THE TREAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP. THE CONTACT DID NOT REMEMBER WHAT THE TIRE SHOP DIAGNOSED AS THE CAUSE OF THE BLOW OUT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 215,000.

Mileage: 215,000

20181203ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20181203POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20181203AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20161029UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR! I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM A GENTLEMAN WHO HASN'T DRIVEN THE CAR FOR AWHILE AFTER IT DIED ON HIM AND HE WAS UNABLE TO START IT UP AGAIN. I HOOKED IT UP TO AN OBD READER AND IT GIVE S ME THE CODE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I CHECKED FUEL PUMP SPARK PLUGS TO MAKE SURE AND THOSE ARE GOOD WORKING ORDER.

Mileage: 150,000

20150812CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A HOUSE GARAGE DOOR AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WAIST INJURY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST AND ARM INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20150812CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A HOUSE GARAGE DOOR AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WAIST INJURY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST AND ARM INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20150805ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. MA 10/8 UPDATED 3/22/16 *JS *CN

Mileage: 93,000

20140521FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEAKER WIRE SHORTING AND GETTING HOT. I ONCE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT BECAUSE THE SPEAKER WAS SO HOT TO THE TOUCH. I AM STILL HAVING THAT PROBLEM AND JUST CUT THE WIRE AGAIN DUE TO SPARKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO FREEMAN TOYOTA IN SANTA ROSA, CA WHERE I GOT IT AND THEY REWIRED THE SPEAKERS. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20111213ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 5 MPH AND OPERATING THE HEADLIGHTS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER A JUMP AND WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 225,000

20100301VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ACCELERATOR STICKS WHEN DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR IN TOYOTA ECHO 2001. HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2009 TOO. I TRY NOT TO PUSH IT ALL THE WAY DOWN. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20100213CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS IS AN INCIDENT I EVENTUALLY PUT BEHIND MYSELF, BUT THE RECENT NEWS ABOUT TOYOTA HAS RESURRECTED THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE ON 5/5/02 IN MY 01 TOYOTA ECHO (I CAN PROVIDE THE VIN# AND THE INCIDENT HAPPENED IN BELEWS CREEK, NC). I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKE AND I ENDED UP GOING INTO THE TREES AND DOWN A HILL BEFORE MY CAR WAS STOPPED BY THE TREE THAT THE TRUNK OF MY CAR HIT. I WAS CONVINCED I HAD HIT THE BRAKE. I EVEN TOOK MY OTHER FOOT AND TRIED TO USE BOTH FEET TO STOP THE CAR (I CRUSHED THE TOP OF MY FOOT WITH MY OTHER SHOE ' THAT IS HOW MUCH PRESSURE I TRIED TO APPLY). I RESEARCHED OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BREAKS STICKING AND REMEMBER SOMETHING BEING SAID ABOUT COOL AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. I CONTACTED TOYOTA USA AND NHTSA AND PROVIDED WEATHER TEMPERATURES AND OTHER DETAILS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. I EVEN REQUESTED REPAIRS NOT BE MADE TO THE CAR UNTIL IT WAS INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS FOUND UPON INSPECTION AND I

Mileage: 30,000

20090930VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE ENTERING A RAMP AT 50 MPH, THE FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GET STUCK IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION. SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE FLOOR MAT AND AVOID A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

20090929EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

FLOOR MAT SLIPPAGE CAUSED CAR TO GET STUCK IN NEUTRAL, ONCE AT A HIGH SPEED ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND ONCE AT A DOWNTOWN INTERSECTION. I REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20090624FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I HAVE A TOYOTA ECHO 2001. THE CAR SUDDENLY QUIT AFTER I STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND DID NOT START. I TOOK MY CAR TO GARAGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT FUEL INJECTOR FUSES KEEPS BLOWING EVERY TIME THEY REPLACE NEW FUSES, AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. I TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER 2 WEEKS LATER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE FUSE BOX, WIRE HARNESS THAT SHORT IN FUSE BOX, AND DUE TO FAULT IN WIRE HARNESS, THEY HAD TO REPLACE ONE WIRE THAT RUNS ENTIRE CAR. IT COULD HAVE CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS IF THE CAR HAVE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC. IT COST ME ABOUT $1800 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 56,690

20090112ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, EVEN AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V266000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20090109ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 2001 TOYOTA ECHO OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS FULL. I DROVE TO THE PLACE WHERE MY OIL WAS CHANGED LAST AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL I TURNED OFF MY ENGINE AND WOULD REAPPEAR FROM TIME TO TIME. WHEN MY CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE, I GOT CONCERNED AND WAS READY TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHEN IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THERE THEY TELL ME THAT BECAUSE I DID NOT MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE PROPERLY, ENGINE OIL SLUDGE OCCURRED. I PROVED TO THEM MY VEHICLE WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED FOR OVER 5 YEARS SO WHY THE SLUDGE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE I BOUGHT MY CAR USED, THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT MAINTAIN THE CAR PROPERLY. IT WAS A LEASED CAR THAT I BOUGHT USED IN 2003. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME IT WILL COST ABOUT $3000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 82,900

20080802UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I AM REPORTING VERBAL THREATS OF A CARRIER COMPANY THAT SHIPPED MY CAR FROM CA TO NY: UI EXPRESS (18 SHORT HILLS BLVD. JACKSON, NEW JERSEY, 08527; UIEXPRESS@YAHOO.COM; 732-513-3636). VLADYMIR BOTIUK (HIS OWN COMPANY: UI EXPRESS) IS A CARRIER/DRIVER WITH CONTRACT WITH A CAR-SHIPPING COMPANY, AMERIFREIGHT, TO BRING MY CAR FROM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, TO MANHATTAN, NEW YORK. AFTER MOVING MY CAR TO NEW YORK, VLADYMIR BOTIUK FORCED MY CAR TO BE KEPT IN BROOKLYN FROM 11:29 AM ON 7/26/2008 TO 3:50PM ON 7/28/2008 BY REJECTING TO TELL ME THE BROOKLYN ADDRESS AND PREVENTING ME FROM ACCESSING MY CAR. HE PARKED MY CAR IN THE FREE ON-STREET PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF HIS OWN APARTMENT BUILDING (2387 OCEAN AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK) AND PAID NOTHING TO THE CITY GOVERNMENT; HOWEVER, HE FORCED ME TO PAY HIM THE SO-CALLED STORAGE/GARAGE FEE? OF TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS BY VERBALLY THREATENING TO SELL MY CAR IN AUTO-AUCTIONS AND CONTINUE CHARGING THE STORAGE/GARAGE FEE OF SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS PER DAY BEF

Mileage: 21,500

20061116CrashSEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

DURING A REAR END COLLISION ON , THE BACK SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK THROWING THE PASSENGER INTO THE FRONT SEAT, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO BOTH PASSENGERS. *NM

Mileage: 117,000

Compare 2001TOYOTAECHO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 TOYOTA ECHO have?
The 2001 TOYOTA ECHO has 63 NHTSA complaints, 21 crashes, 8 fires, 23 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 TOYOTA ECHO?
Yes, the 2001 TOYOTA ECHO has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 TOYOTA ECHO?
The most-complained component for the 2001 TOYOTA ECHO is AIR BAGS with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2001 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.