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2001 Toyota Echo problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Toyota Echo is airbags. It has 2.9 times the complaints of a typical Echo model year.

Typical year2.9x the typical complaints
Year score
36/100
Owner complaints
49
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
85
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
30-32mpg

The worst 2001 Toyota Echo problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    12
  • Engine
    9
  • Acceleration
    7
  • Brakes
    7
  • Electrical
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Tires
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Lights
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Toyota Echo

No deployment 9

Recalls 2

Engine and engine coolingReported July 19, 2006 · 34,771 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 sensor wiring connector.
Risk
Engine oil inside the sensor wiring connector could cause expansion due to the heat of the engine and could deform the sensor wiring connector. The connector may become disconnected, which could cause the engine to stall while driving and not be able to be restarted increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on july 26, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 06V266000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported October 1, 2002 · 59,394 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 rear brake line during wheel rotation.
Risk
If this condition occurs frequently, the rear brake line could be damaged, which could result in leakage of brake fluid, causing a decrease in brake effectiveness.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear brake lines. Owner notification began november 9, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 02V268000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Echo

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Toyota Echo 85

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 85 bulletins for the 2001 Toyota Echo

2001 Toyota Echo fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.5L 4‑cylFWD27-2935-3730-32

What 2001 Toyota Echo owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 9, 2023 · Acceleration · TN

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.

Filed Oct 23, 2020 · Wheels · 215,000 miles · CT

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · 155,000 miles · OK

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.

Filed Oct 29, 2016 · 150,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Aug 12, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · PR · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Aug 5, 2015 · Electrical · 93,000 miles · OK

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

Filed May 21, 2014 · Electrical · 10,000 miles · CA · fire

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.

Filed Dec 13, 2011 · Engine · 225,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Mar 1, 2010 · Acceleration · 140,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Feb 13, 2010 · Acceleration · 30,000 miles · NC · crash

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 the federal safety agency 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 my claim was basically dismissed. The accident went on my record as my fault so of course my premiums went up for years. I was most frustrated and I can't even begin to explain how it felt to have so many people not believe me. I feel it affected my confidence as a driver and I was so nervous driving that car that I traded it in not long afterwards. I also traded in the toyota tundra I had recently purchased. I wrote toyota and told them if this was how they treated their customers, then I would not remain a customer and would never return. I am writing this email because I know that this was brought to toyota's attention that there was evidence of problems even earlier than what they are currently acknowledging. The fact that it had to take people dying for them to notice is completely appalling to me! I understand that there are bound to be problems with virtually every make and model of car, but ignoring claims like this is complete negligence.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2001 Toyota Echo

Is the 2001 Toyota Echo reliable?

Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Echo, 2.9 times a typical Echo model year.

What is the 2001 Toyota Echo year score?

The 2001 Toyota Echo scores 36 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Echo: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota Echo?

Airbags, with 12 complaints. Next is engine (9).

How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Echo have?

2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and service brakes, hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Toyota Echo get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Toyota Echo range from 30 to 32 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 27-29 city and 35-37 highway.

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