Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 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 | 8 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 11% |
| Power train | 6 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 8% |
| Suspension | 4 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 5% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 5% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
AIR BAG FRONT PASSENGER LOOKS THAT IS NOT WORKING, ALARM IN RED SHOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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!
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 #
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
2002 TOYOTA ECHO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GASOLINE BURNING TOO MUCH IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD *JS
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 TAK
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2002 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 | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 85 | 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 61 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 8 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 85/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 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.