TOYOTA ECHO · model year

2002 TOYOTA ECHO

45 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002TOYOTAECHO carries 45 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 2 fires, 15 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 2002 ECHO is vehicle speed control with 7 filings, followed by air bags (6) and service brakes, hydraulic (3). 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 2002 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.

45
Complaints
16
Crashes
2
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

45 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
AIR BAGS6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
STEERING3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
WHEELS2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
STRUCTURE1
SUSPENSION1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1

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

20180425AIR BAGS

AIR BAG FRONT PASSENGER LOOKS THAT IS NOT WORKING, ALARM IN RED SHOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG

20170809AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL.NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SO FAR. I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS ONE OF THE MODELS OF CARS AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL? PLEASE LET ME KNOW,SO I CAN GET IT REPAIRED, IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU!

20160104VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

OUR TOYOTA EXCELS TO TOP SPEED ON ITS OWN FULL SPEED. THIS ALMOST HAD US IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BUT THIS HAPPENED TWICE LAST WEEK 12/30/15 TOYOTA GAVE US A CASE # NI50883640 HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT, WHAT CAN WE DO?

Mileage: 66,292

20151109ENGINE

2002 TOYOTA ECHO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GASOLINE BURNING TOO MUCH IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD *JS

20151109FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 TOYOTA ECHO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GASOLINE BURNING TOO MUCH IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD *JS

20150102CrashFireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING NORTH, CROSSED CENTER LINE AND HIT DAUGHTER IN 2002 TOYOTA ECHO HEAD ON. AS A RESULT OF IMPACT TOYOTA ECHO CAUGHT ON FIRE RESULTING IN DAUGHTER RECEIVING 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON RIGHT ARM, HEAD AND LEG. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS NOTED BY -STANDER THAT REMOVED DAUGHTER FROM VEHICLE AND HELPED EXTINGUISH FLAMES ON DAUGHTER. DAUGHTER WAS UNCONSCIOUS AFTER IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY FIRE AND DAUGHTER AIRLIFTED TO BURN CENTER FOR TREATMENT.

Mileage: 150,000

20140704CrashPOWER TRAIN

I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. IT CROSSED THE STREET AND RAN OVER A BRICK PLANTER BOX, KNOCKED DOWN A CRAPE MYRTLE TREE AND FINALLY HIT THE NEIGHBOR'S SUV. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL AND HAD NO TIME TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR TURN OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I CHECKED THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF IT WAS AGAINST THE FLOOR OR IF THE FLOOR MAT WAS INTERFERING WITH IT, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND MY BACK WAS INJURED. *TR

Mileage: 151,000

20140704CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. IT CROSSED THE STREET AND RAN OVER A BRICK PLANTER BOX, KNOCKED DOWN A CRAPE MYRTLE TREE AND FINALLY HIT THE NEIGHBOR'S SUV. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL AND HAD NO TIME TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR TURN OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I CHECKED THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF IT WAS AGAINST THE FLOOR OR IF THE FLOOR MAT WAS INTERFERING WITH IT, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND MY BACK WAS INJURED. *TR

Mileage: 151,000

20140327FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT SOON DISCOVERED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET AND HOUSING, WHICH WERE MADE OF PLASTIC, HAD BOTH MELTED FROM THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT BULB. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE LIGHT BULB FROM THE SOCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE PARTS AND VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20120305ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED USING THE DIMMER SWITCH LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN PER NORMAL OPERATIONS. THE LOW BEAMS SWITCHED TO HIGH BEAMS DISPLAY. UNABLE TO DISENGAGE WITHOUT TOTALLY SWITCHING OFF THE LIGHTS. THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AS WELL. THIS EVENT OCCURRED WHEN THE TEMPERATURES WERE AT OR BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 8 HOURS (IN A PARK AND RIDE LOT). ONCE THE INTERIOR CABIN WARMED UP AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO "JIGGLE" THE LIGHTS BACK TO LOW BEAMS.

Mileage: 74,600

20120223VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

STUCK THROTTLE ON JAN 19TH, 2012 WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSED TO FLOOR. RECOVERED BY PULLING UP WITH FOOT. TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE SAME DAY AND WAS ABLE TO. TOOK TO DEALER (BOULDER TOYOTA) ON JAN 30TH. THEY CLAIMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE BUT THOUGHT CARPET MIGHT BE INTERFERING WITH FOOT PEDAL AND RECOMMENDED I CHANGE ALL OF CARPET IN CAR AT A COST OF $1200. I ASKED THEM TO JUST TRIM THE CARD AROUND THE PEDAL, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO THAT. TRIED TO REPRODUCE AFTER DEALER VISIT AND WAS UNABLE. INSPECTED ON FEB 3RD, AND IT APPEARED LIKE CARPET MIGHT HAVE BEEN PULLED BACK AROUND HOLE IN FLOOR. I PUSHED IT BACK INTO POSITION, AND THEN TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE STUCK THROTTLE AND WAS ABLE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20110109POWER TRAIN

MY 2002 TOYOTA ECHO ON NOV. 16TH 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CA. WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE STILL IN DRIVE. THERE WAS TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME SO I WAS ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 2 MPH WHEN IT WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I WENT TO PUT ON THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND PUT ON THE HAZARDS. TWO MINUTES WENT BY WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR AND IT WENT INTO DRIVE. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE KEYES TOYOTA IN VAN NUYS CA, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE FROM ANY TOYOTA CARS AND THAT IF THEY WERE EVEN TO LOOK IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY AT MY EXPENSE. I SOLD THE CAR FOR PARTS ON 11/18/10. *TR

Mileage: 137,242

20100617SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH AND UP, THE TRACTION WOULD FEEL AS IF SHE WAS DRIVING ON ICE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS WORN. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SWAY BAR, A REAR SHOCK THAT WAS LEAKING AND ALL FOUR TIRES. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,220 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,443.

Mileage: 127,220

20100517ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) NHTSA RECALL 06V266000 RECALLED 02 TOYOTA ECHO FOR CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURES WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLES TO STALL AND NOT RESTART, RISKING A CRASH. TOYOTA ONLY RECALLED VEHICLES UP TO SERIAL NUMBERS ENDING IN 212671. MY 02 ECHO JUST HAD THE EXACT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. MY VIN NUMBER IS[XXX]. SO I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT BY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE EXACT FAILURE. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO HIGHER VEHICLE NUMBERS. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20100407POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1. APPROACHING A LEFT TURN AT 15 TO 25 MPH, GAP IN ON-COMING TRAFFIC, PRESS ACCELERATOR AND TURN LEFT. 2. THE CAR DECELERATES AS THE TRANSMISSION TAKES OVER AND LETHARGICALLY DOWNSHIFTS, 98% OF THE TIME, CAUSING NEAR MISSES. 3. I DOUBT ANYONE CARES TO CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM. SO, HOW MANY MORE BROADSIDES OCCUR WITH ECHOES THAN THE AVERAGE FOR OTHER CARS, OR HAS NO ONE EVER CHECKED? *TR

Mileage: 14,000

20100217VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH HIS FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE ENGINE IDLED AND ACCELERATED TO A HIGHER SPEED. HE HAD TO PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM IDLING. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH CONFIRMED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THE HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 03/12/10. *LJ WHEN THE BEGINNING ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE WOULD REV AT A HIGH IDLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PICK UP SPEED AND SEVERE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS NEED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/14/10

Mileage: 80,000

20090929EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

TOYOTA FLOOR MAT OVER ACCELERATOR- THIS HAPPENED TO ME! MORE THAN ONCE! I DISCOVERED WHAT IT WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL BOTH TIMES. TOYOTA ECHO, 2002 . *TR

20090929VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TOYOTA FLOOR MAT OVER ACCELERATOR- THIS HAPPENED TO ME! MORE THAN ONCE! I DISCOVERED WHAT IT WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL BOTH TIMES. TOYOTA ECHO, 2002 . *TR

20080125ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA ECHO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED A STARTER AND THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A LIFT AND A HOLE WAS DISCOVERED IN THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN RECURRING FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS. WHEN SHE DRIVES OVER 80 MILES, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE'S MAINTENANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CURRENT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V266000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE IS BEING REPLACED WITH A USED ENGINE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE REPLACEMENT WILL COST OVER $3,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,500.

Mileage: 97,500

20070212CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 4 LANE HIGHWAY (US 29 S), WHEN A CAR TRIED TO TURN INTO THE MEDIAN THREE CARS AHEAD OF ME. ONE CAR SWERVED TO AVOID THE FRONT TWO VEHICLES. WHEN THEY DID I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE CARS TRYING TO STOP. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, BY THE TIME I DID IT WAS TOO LATE. SO GOING ABOUT 65 WITH ABOUT 50 FEET OF STOPPING DISTANCE I GUESS I WAS GOING 40 - 50 MPH. I COULD NOT MOVE TO THE OTHER LANE SINCE THERE WAS TRACTOR TRAILER IN THE OTHER LANE. SO I REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. IMPACTING ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT CORNER. MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FOLLOWING DAY INSPECTING THE DAMAGE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE DAMAGED AREA AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PICK UP THE IMPACT. *JB

Mileage: 101,000

Compare 2002TOYOTAECHO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 TOYOTA ECHO have?
The 2002 TOYOTA ECHO has 45 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 TOYOTA ECHO?
Yes, the 2002 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 2002 TOYOTA ECHO?
The most-complained component for the 2002 TOYOTA ECHO is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2002 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.