Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 334 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Camry, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 40 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 40 | 12% |
| Air bags | 39 | 12% |
| Tires | 21 | 6% |
| Suspension | 17 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 4% |
| Seats | 14 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 10 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 9 | 3% |
| Power train | 7 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I do not feel engine braking effect when I apply brake instead I have to press brake hard to hold until engine idles. It is a serious issue in older cars. My car has 153000 miles.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
Problem: Unintended Acceleration, air conditioner operating. Incident Scenario: Approaching driveway, stopped to allow pedestrian to pass. Resumed low speed turn into driveway, Abrupt acceleration of vehicle, launching
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. No warnin
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Air bag light is on and won’t go off. Toyota service department said the sensor was discontinued no longer available to make the repair.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
After an alignment my steering wheel is not straight. If held straight, the car goes off the road to the right. Took it back, now it goes off to the left. Sitting still the steering wheel will turn 360 degrees around and
NHTSA complaint: Steering
SPEED SENSOR MELTED WITH PLUG AND KEPT BLOWING 10A GAUGE FUSE WITCH GAUGE STOPS WORKING WINDOWS WON'T GO DOWN AND BATTERY WILL DIE IF NOT HANDLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THIS WILL HAPPEN ONCE YOU TURN THE KEY JUST TU
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS EXCITING A FREEWAY. AS I USUALLY DO, I DISENGAGED THE CLUTCH EXPECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ALSO DISENGAGE AND COAST TO THE STOP SIGN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF MY BRAKE. INSTEAD, AS SOON AS I DISENGAGED THE CLUTCH, T
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
MY NAME IS [XXX] I DIDN'T BACK UP MY CAR AT ALL. CITY THAT THE ACCIDENT TOKEN PLACE WAS OAKLAND CALIFORNIA. LOCAL REPORT NUMBER, [XXX]. THIS, ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN ALAMEDA COUNTY ON THE TIME FRAME OF MONDAY. 300 FEET WEST
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2001 Toyota Camry. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND V6 ENGINES, AND BUILT AT ONE OF TWO LINES AT THE KENTUCKY PLANT. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING COULD BE DEFORMED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR-TO-THROTTLE BODY CONNECTION. THE ACCELERATOR INNER-CABLE COULD WEAR AWAY AND EV
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE OR REMAIN IN ITS MOST RECENT POSITION REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND
| Reliability | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 334 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 40 of them (12%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.