Toyota ECHO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
196 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 to 2005 model years. Data snapshot: . 93 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 196 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 55 | 28.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 24 |
| Air Bags | 23 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 28; Air Bags:Frontal: 24; Air Bags: 23; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Electrical System: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 11
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 103 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 27 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2003 | 20 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 21 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2000: 13; 2001: 27; 2002: 22; 2003: 20; 2004: 21; 2005: 21; 2006: 9; 2007: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 9; 2010: 13; 2011: 6; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 6; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10012233 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023667 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO BRAKES NOT WORKING. STEPPING ON BRAKES, PUMPING BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. 1 ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A BLIZZARD AND THE SECOND ONE OCCURRED IN THE RAIN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106317 · 2005-01-14 (January 14, 2005)
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE TOYOTA ECHO 2000. RECENTLY WHEN GOING TO THE MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. HOW? AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE CAN IT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 81000 MILES. BACK IN MAR 2002 THE SHIFT AND BRAKES IN THE CAR WAS GIVING MYSELF PROBLEMS WHEN THE MECHANIC SAW IT THEY FELT NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON MY OWN EXPENSE I PUT NEW BRAKES AND TIRES TO BE CERTAIN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134652 · 2005-08-29 (August 29, 2005)
DEAR SIR/MADAM, WHILE ON YOUR WEBSITE, I DISCOVERED THE DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS AND COMPLAINTS. TODAY I WRITE TO YOU WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT REPORTED BY JB ON MARCH 9, 2002,"I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE TOYOTA ECHO 2000. RECENTLY WHEN GOING TO THE MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. HOW? AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE CAN IT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 81000 MILES. BACK IN MAR 2002 THE SHIFT AND BRAKES IN THE CAR WAS GIVING MYSELF PROBLEMS WHEN THE MECHANIC SAW IT THEY FELT NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON MY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066083 · 2004-04-13 (April 13, 2004)
HAD A 2000 TOYOTA ECHO HIT SOME ON IN THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT HOLD .HAD SEAT BELT ON.HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND HOSPITAL SAID BUCKELD BREAST BONE AND A HAIR LINE CRACK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104474 · 2004-12-25 (December 25, 2004)
IN MARCH 2002 THE STEERING COLUMN TILT LOCK MECHANISM BROKE PERMITTING THE COLUMN TO FREELY MOVE UP AND DOWN. TOYOTA OF FORT WORTH (THEN MCKINNEY TOYOTA) REPLACED THE BROKEN PARTS AND INSTALLED A REINFORCEMENT KIT. IN DECEMBER 2004 THE REPLACEMENT PARTS BROKE AND TOYOTA OF FORT WORTH AGAIN REPLACED THE PARTS. IN DECEMBER 2004 WHILE AWAITING REPLACEMENT PARTS TO ARRIVE AT TOYOTA OF FORT WORTH, WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY IT WAS NECCESSARY FOR ME TO PERFORM VERY HARD BRAKING TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE WHICH CUT ME OFF VERY CLOSE. WHEN I APPLIE…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 766789 · 2002-09-06 (September 6, 2002)
CAR STALLED OR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY ON ROAD 7/6, 7/8, 7/15, 7/28, 8/21, 8/26, 9/5 - 3 OCCASIONS IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC VERY DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE. TOOK TO DEALERS 7/18 R&H AND COMPLAINED SOMETHING WAS WRONG W/CAR, THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO WANT TO LOOK THE CAR OVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AS A SERVICE CENTER THEY COULD NOT FIGURE THE PROBLEM OUT (SALES MGR. HAS A NO CARE ATTITUDE - MR. ATTWOOD) , 7/28 CAR COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN, HIT CURB AND YIELD SIGN GOING DOWN RAMP, 8/21 TOOK CAR TO JERRY'S TOYOTA, PICKED UP 8/26 GUAGE NEVER MOVED WHEN FILLED W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 766789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439785 · 2011-12-13 (December 13, 2011)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 225,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054025 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS DUE TO A FUEL LINE CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REMOVED FUEL TANK, AND REPLACED THE FUEL LINE. 3000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274890 · 2009-06-24 (June 24, 2009)
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 COS…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,690 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145428 · 2005-12-16 (December 16, 2005)
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER CAR HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 WHEN SHE NOTICED A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL IN HER CAR. SHE HAD STOPPED OFF AT A LOCAL STORE AND DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT THE SMELL. SHE CAME OUT OF THE STORE AND STARTED DRIVING HOME A FEW MINUTES LATER STILL NOTICING THE SMELL. SHE PROCEEDED HOME AND HER CONSOLE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND NOTICED THE SMELL BECOMING STRONGER...SHE PARKED THE CAR IN OUR GARAGE AND INFORMED ME ABOUT IT...I WENT TO INVESTIGATE AND NOTICED A LITTLE SMOKE AND THE SMELL THAT SHE HAD DESCRIBED...I GRABBED THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10145428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015521 · 2004-06-08 (June 8, 2004)
WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *JB *NM WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *JB *NM THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015521 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 0; 2004: 0; 2005: 0