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2002 Toyota Echo problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Toyota Echo is acceleration and speed control, typically around 80,000 miles. It has 2.1 times the complaints of a typical Echo model year.

Typical year2.1x the typical complaints
Year score
49/100
Owner complaints
35
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
86
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
30-32mpg

The worst 2002 Toyota Echo problems

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

  • Acceleration
    8
  • Airbags
    7
  • Transmission
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Engine
    4

Problems by type

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

  • Acceleration
    8
  • Airbags
    7
  • Transmission
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Electrical
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Suspension
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Visibility
    1

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 2002 Toyota Echo

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Toyota Echo 86

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

See all 86 bulletins for the 2002 Toyota Echo

2002 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 2002 Toyota Echo owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 25, 2018 · Airbags · TX

Air bag front passenger looks that is not working, alarm in red shows that there is a problem with the airbag

Filed Aug 9, 2017 · Airbags · PA

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!

Filed Jan 4, 2016 · Acceleration · 66,292 miles · CA

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?

Filed Nov 9, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

2002 toyota echo. Consumer writes in regards to gasoline burning too much in the exhaust system. *smd consumer sent additional correspondence. *smd

Filed Jan 2, 2015 · 150,000 miles · GA · crash · fire · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jul 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 151,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Mar 27, 2014 · Lights · 70,000 miles · HI · fire

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.

Filed Mar 4, 2012 · Electrical · 74,600 miles · MN

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.

Filed Feb 23, 2012 · Acceleration · 98,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed Jan 9, 2011 · Transmission · 137,242 miles · CA

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.

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Questions about the 2002 Toyota Echo

Is the 2002 Toyota Echo reliable?

Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Echo, 2.1 times a typical Echo model year.

What is the 2002 Toyota Echo year score?

The 2002 Toyota Echo scores 49 out of 100 (below average). 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 2002 Toyota Echo?

Acceleration and speed control, with 8 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is airbags (7).

How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Echo have?

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

What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Echo get?

Official estimates for the 2002 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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