TOYOTA ECHO · model year

2005 TOYOTA ECHO

13 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005TOYOTAECHO carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 0 fires, 10 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 2005 ECHO is air bags with 3 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (1) and suspension:front:shock absorber (1). 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.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2005 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.

13
Complaints
11
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

11 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 BAGS3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
STRUCTURE1
SUSPENSION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recent Complaints

20110523CrashAIR BAGS

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND FLIPPED OVER TWICE. IN ADDITION, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR CONTUSION AND INJURIES TO THE CHEST BONE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

20100712CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75000.

Mileage: 75,000

20100712CrashAIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75000.

Mileage: 75,000

20060918SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNAL, THE BRAKES MADE THE VEHICLE PULL VIOLENT TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE DISC WHERE BENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP O MACHINED THEM TO EVEN THE SURFACES. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE DEALERSHIP MACHINED THE DISCS AGAIN. AFTER THE FORTH FAILURE OF THE BRAKES, THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO A LOCAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO THE LEMON LAW, BUT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY PROVIDED A REFERRAL TO THE OFFICE IN PUERTO RICO. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE DRIVING ON A HILLY AREA WITH DEFECTIVES BRAKES WOULD BE HIGHLY RISKY.

Mileage: 10,000

20051004CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

Mileage: 1,275

20051004CrashLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

Mileage: 1,275

20051004CrashAIR BAGS

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

Mileage: 1,275

20051004CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

Mileage: 1,275

20051004CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

Mileage: 1,275

20051004CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

Mileage: 1,275

20051004CrashSTRUCTURE

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

Mileage: 1,275

20051004CrashSUSPENSION

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

Mileage: 1,275

20050830FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

YOU DO NOT INCLUDE THE 2005 TOYOTA ECHO CAR IN ANY OF YOUR LISTS AND I OWN ONE. THE CAR WAS MADE IN JAPAN BUT SOLD IN THE U.S. TO US SPECS. I BOUGHT ONE IN 2005 AND IT SMELLS AWFUL LIKE RAW GASOLINE INSIDE (NO ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT). PLEASE INCLUDE THE 2005 TOYOTA ECHO (AND PRIOR YEARS, TOO). *NM

Compare 2005TOYOTAECHO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 TOYOTA ECHO have?
The 2005 TOYOTA ECHO has 13 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 TOYOTA ECHO?
The most-complained component for the 2005 TOYOTA ECHO is AIR BAGS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER.
Is the 2005 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.