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2003 Toyota Echo problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Toyota Echo is airbags. Its complaint count is close to a typical Echo model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
17
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
84
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
31-33mpg

The worst 2003 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
    5
  • Engine
    4
  • Transmission
    4
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Toyota Echo

Stalling 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Toyota Echo 84

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

See all 84 bulletins for the 2003 Toyota Echo

2003 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‑cylFWD28-3036-3831-33

What 2003 Toyota Echo owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 80,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota echo. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly on its own when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure occurred without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle ran a red light. The contact pulled into a driveway and turned off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact called fitzgerald toyota gaithersburg at (301) 921-0300 (located at 907 n frederick ave, gaithersburg, md 20879), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. *tt consumer stated called fitzgerald toyota back after they called. The service manager told me that it should not happen, but to do a diagnostic would be $180/hr. He said they could look at it. It has been serviced for entire time that we have had and no problems, I was not going to pay $180/hr to have that done, when repots fromechp burners have had same problem and toyota won't fix. Updated 10/16/18

Filed Mar 22, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 25,834 miles · NH

On march 17, 2005 I purchased a 2003 toyota echo from toyota of nashua in new hampshire. After purchasing the car and leaving toyota of nashua to drive home, the engine stopped as I approached a stoplight at the end of the highway exit near my house. I had simply depressed the clutch to coast toward the red light. I didn't think much of it at the time, assuming that it stalled due to stale gas. However, the engine continued to quit periodically. Sometimes the engine would quit several times in a week and then go several months with no problem. When I took the car in to have the oil changed on june 2, 2005 I described the problem to the service manager and asked that it be fixed. At that time, the car had 28,606 miles on it and was still under factory warranty. The technician could not duplicate the problem. (service report is available) the problem persisted throughout the following year so when I brought the car in to be inspected on june 29, 2006, I asked the service manager to have a technician use the car to commute to work until the problem was diagnosed and fixed. On july 19, 2006, the dealer called and asked me to pick up the car. The car had been driven 787 miles, but they were unable to duplicate the problem. When I went to pick up the car the service manager told me that I had to pay for the diagnostic. I refused because the defect had not been fixed and the car was still under warranty. After some discussion with another manager, they agreed not to charge me, but told me that if I brought the car in again for this problem I would be charged. (service report is available) the problem persists to this day. I drive the car almost exclusively and compensate for the problem by downshifting when coasting or coming to a stop to keep the engine running. Recently, the engine quit while my daughter was driving nearly resulting in an accident.

Filed Feb 22, 2010 · Acceleration · 63,536 miles · MI · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota echo. The contact stated that while his spouse was driving at approx 65 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate. The driver had to steer to the side of the road and hit a snowbank to avoid a serious accident. The contact noticed no prior experiences with the sudden acceleration before that day. The vehicle was towed to a dealership and the dealer test drove the vehicle and ran diagnostics tests. The dealer stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 63,800. The failure mileage was 63,536. Updated 03/30/10 *bf updated 07/07/10.

Filed Dec 28, 2009 · Transmission · 13 miles · PA

2003 toyota echo with manual transmission shuts off when slowing or stopping, especially on downgrades when clutch is depressed. I have learned to lessen these occurrences by not pushing in the clutch until the car is almost stopped, by never coasting with the clutch in, and by making turns with the car in gear. Because it doesn't always happen, it never has happened for the dealer or other mechanics, so they say they can't fix it. Or they tell me there is nothing wrong with it. This has been happening since I bought the car in 2005. The date I am using for the incident is the most recent time it happened.

Filed Nov 23, 2006 · Transmission · 8 miles · ME

From the date of purchase of this vehicle I hear a high pitched whine coming from the car. From doing research on forum sites dedicated to the echo it seems to be common on all cars. The whine is loudest on the highway between 45 - 65 MPH. I contacted two different dealers about this issue and I was told to remove my stock hub caps / this does not work. I was also told that toyota will not look into the issue due to the car being discontinued.

Filed Oct 13, 2006 · Engine · 13,000 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle commonly shuts off while braking or decelerating to 20 MPH. The vehicle had been to a service dealer twice but the dealer was unable to duplicate the issue.

Filed May 15, 2006 · Airbags, Transmission · MD · crash · 1 injury

I own a 2004 echo. There are 3 main problems with this vehicle. One; the transmission hesitates when its switching gears. This is an automatic. Two; I was in a car accident on december 2, and none of the air bags deployed. Three; a lot of times when I try to start the car, it stalls.

Filed Sep 17, 2005 · Airbags, Seat belts · 29,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

This involves my uncle thomas barrett's toyota echo. The vehicle struck another vehicle. Neither air bag deployed and the passenger side seat belt did not tension. The passenger occupant was injured.

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Lights · 2,000 miles · NY

Dt: caller said the dash board light is not bright enough. Caller can not see gas gauge and other gauges during the day time. Dealer said the lights are normal and they said they can't do anything about it. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet because he cant get through on the phone number he has. No air conditioning filter in the vehicle when it was purchased.

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Airbags · FL

2003 toyota echo window sign stated that the vehicle had power equipment, this turned out to be false.*mr *jb the consumer would like to know if his vehicle is on the air bag recall list. Updated 06/03/15.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2003 Toyota Echo

Is the 2003 Toyota Echo reliable?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Echo, close to a typical Echo model year.

What is the 2003 Toyota Echo year score?

The 2003 Toyota Echo scores 75 out of 100 (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 2003 Toyota Echo?

Airbags, with 5 complaints. Next is engine (4).

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Echo have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Echo get?

Official estimates for the 2003 Toyota Echo range from 31 to 33 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 28-30 city and 36-38 highway.

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