Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Echo, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 10 | 17% |
| Tires | 6 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 5% |
| Visibility | 3 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 after
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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 PULL
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
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. TH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 COD
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 CONTA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 AFTE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2001 Toyota Echo. 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.
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 SEN
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 CAUS
Fix: 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.
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 RE
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.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 53 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 10 of them (17%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, 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 75/100. 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.