- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2001 Toyota Echo Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Echo with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (14) and the engine & cooling (10). Those complaints describe 17 crashes, 6 fires, 16 injuries and 4 deaths. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in July 2006 for the engine and engine cooling. For comparison, the 2000 has 86 and the 2002 has 61.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Echo year, for its age
#117 most complained-about 2001 vehicle
- Complaints
- 55
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 17
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 16
- Deaths
- 4
Most common 2001 Toyota Echo problems
Share of all 55 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2001 Toyota Echo recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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 free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners say
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55 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Echo
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.
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 aftermarket ridged floor mats that will not curl up and it is still an issue.
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 pulled over and noticed the damage was on the bottom side. The damage was a long tear and hole in the tread. The vehicle was towed to an independent tire shop. The contact did not remember what the tire shop diagnosed as the cause of the blow out. The failure mileage on the tires was unknown. The failure mileage on the vehicle was 215,000.
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. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the computer was reset, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000.
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 code for the crankshaft position sensor. I checked fuel pump spark plugs to make sure and those are good working order.
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 contact sustained a waist injury and the front passenger sustained chest and arm injuries which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
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 of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. Ma 10/8 updated 3/22/16 *js *cn
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 just cut the wire again due to sparking. I took the car to freeman toyota in santa rosa, ca where I got it and they rewired the speakers. That did not fix the problem, and I do not know what to do next. *Tr
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 after a jump and was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000. The vin was unavailable.
Accelerator sticks when depressed all the way to floor in toyota echo 2001. Happened in november 2009 too. I try not to push it all the way down. *Tr
This is an incident I eventually put behind myself, but the recent news about toyota has resurrected the events that took place on 5/5/02 in my 01 toyota echo (i can provide the vin# and the incident happened in belews creek, nc). I was backing out of my drive way and was unable to stop my car when I applied my brake and I ended up going into the trees and down a hill before my car was stopped by the tree that the trunk of my car hit. I was convinced I had hit the brake. I even took my other foot and tried to...
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use both feet to stop the car (i crushed the top of my foot with my other shoe ' that is how much pressure I tried to apply). I researched other complaints about the breaks sticking and remember something being said about cool ambient temperatures. I contacted toyota usa and nhtsa and provided weather temperatures and other details about what happened. I even requested repairs not be made to the car until it was inspected. I was told nothing was found upon inspection and I my claim was basically dismissed. The accident went on my record as my fault so of course my premiums went up for years. I was most frustrated and I can't even begin to explain how it felt to have so many people not believe me. I feel it affected my confidence as a driver and I was so nervous driving that car that I traded it in not long afterwards. I also traded in the toyota tundra I had recently purchased. I wrote toyota and told them if this was how they treated their customers, then I would not remain a customer and would never return. I am writing this email because I know that this was brought to toyota's attention that there was evidence of problems even earlier than what they are currently acknowledging. The fact that it had to take people dying for them to notice is completely appalling to me! I understand that there are bound to be problems with virtually every make and model of car, but ignoring claims like this is complete negligence. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota echo. While entering a ramp at 50 mph, the floor mat caused the accelerator pedal to get stuck in the full open position. She was able to remove the floor mat and avoid a crash. The failure and current mileages were 67,000.
Floor mat slippage caused car to get stuck in neutral, once at a high speed on a major interstate highway and once at a downtown intersection. I removed the floor mat on the driver's side and the problem stopped. *Tr
I have a toyota echo 2001. The car suddenly quit after I stopped at stop sign and did not start. I took my car to garage to fix the problem, but fuel injector fuses keeps blowing every time they replace new fuses, and they could not figure out the cause. I took my car to toyota dealer 2 weeks later and they had to replace fuse box, wire harness that short in fuse box, and due to fault in wire harness, they had to replace one wire that runs entire car. It could have cause any accidents if the car have stopped in the middle of the traffic. It cost me about $1800 to fix this problem. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota echo. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start, even after repeated attempts. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and concluded that the crankshaft position sensor was the cause of the failure. The component needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 06v266000 (engine and engine cooling); therefore, they would not assume responsibility for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 109,000.
My 2001 toyota echo oil light came on so I checked the oil and it was full. I drove to the place where my oil was changed last and my engine light came on. The light stayed on until I turned off my engine and would reappear from time to time. When my car started making a loud clanking noise, I got concerned and was ready to take it to the dealer when it completely lost power and I had it towed to the dealer. There they tell me that because I did not maintain my vehicle properly, engine oil sludge occurred. I...
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proved to them my vehicle was very well maintained for over 5 years so why the sludge. They informed me that because I bought my car used, the previous owner did not maintain the car properly. It was a leased car that I bought used in 2003. The dealer is telling me it will cost about $3000 to fix this problem. *Tr
I am reporting verbal threats of a carrier company that shipped my car from ca to ny: ui express (18 short hills blvd. Jackson, new jersey, 08527; [email protected]; 732-513-3636). Vladymir botiuk (his own company: ui express) is a carrier/driver with contract with a car-shipping company, amerifreight, to bring my car from san jose, california, to manhattan, new york. After moving my car to new york, vladymir botiuk forced my car to be kept in brooklyn from 11:29 am on 7/26/2008 to 3:50pm on 7/28/2008 by...
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rejecting to tell me the brooklyn address and preventing me from accessing my car. He parked my car in the free on-street parking space in front of his own apartment building (2387 ocean avenue, brooklyn, new york) and paid nothing to the city government; however, he forced me to pay him the so-called storage/garage fee? Of two hundred fifty dollars by verbally threatening to sell my car in auto-auctions and continue charging the storage/garage fee of seventy-five dollars per day before my car is sold out if I refuse to sign my name on his contract and give him sixteen hundred dollars in less than fifteen minutes after my arrival at his address at 11:20 am on 7/29/2008. Amerifreight (manager: amy woods; [email protected]; 1-877-719-0916) knows vladymir botiuk?S threats and is a witness (constant phone communication during the whole process) of how vladymir botiuk orally threatened me and compelled me to give him sixteen hundred dollars and sign my name on his unreasonable contract. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that the welding on the seat frame of the middle row detached and caused the seat to swivel and move. The dealer inspected the vehicle and performed the repair, but was unable to determine the cause of failure. The current mileage is 109,000 and failure mileage was unknown.*Ak
During a rear end collision on , the back seat belt did not lock throwing the passenger into the front seat, resulting in injuries to both passengers. *Nm
I reported a safety problem to toyota as a toyota customer- on 08/29/2006 08:29 am: how do I keep the defroster vent controls from shorting out in the rain? While driving for an extended period in a bad rain storm at night the defroster air stopped coming out of all vents. The fan could be heard but no air came from any opening. Changing the controls on the dash board had no effect, except for turning the fan off and on. The front window fogged up and driving became extremely dangerous because of nearly zero...
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visibility. We were forced to stop driving and seek refuge in a motel. The next morning after the rain had stopped and the car had been parked overnight the defroster worked normally. 2001 Echo. Purchased january 3, 2002 quoting ask toyota <[email protected]>: response (enrique) - 08/31/2006 04:30 pm thank you for contacting toyota motor sales, u.S.A., Inc. We apologize for the concerns you are experiencing with your 2001 echo. The warranty for your defrost is three years or 36 thousand miles, whichever comes first, from the date of first use for your vehicle. Based on the vin (vehicle identification number) you provided, your warranty coverage started on 01/07/2002. Your vehicle is currently outside these warranty parameters and we are unable to assist with the cost of this repair. Etc. To toyota, I again summarized the failure and the consequences: on- 09/02/2006 09:12 am; I said: ... My question was sent to you as a safety issue. I asked "how do I keep the defroster vent controls from shorting out in the rain?" Because your response was inadequate: it is my intent to "report a possible defect with a vehicle" to the national highway traffic safety administration... So I am reporting the safety problem which is obviously a manufacturing defect.*Jb
Dt: the contact states vehicle had a defective clutch. The clutch has repeatedly malfunctioned. He contacted the dealership. The dealership replaced the clutch twice within three years. Also, contacted the manufacturer, and they did not offer any assistance. No further corrections have been made at this time. *Ak
The consumer stated buying four tires for vehicle, one failed a month after the purchase. Consumer's son had an accident and nobody checked the tires, since they did not have any puncture marks. Two weeks later, husband had a flat tire. The rubber disintegrated from the inside and it peeled off. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they took off both tires. *Ak three out of the four tires failed within two months of purchase, 2 were found to be buldging and peeling on the inside. *Sb
Owner had been driving for approximately 35 minutes before arriving to work. The vehicle was parked for approximately 15 minutes before another co-worker noticed that flames were coming from under the hood. The fire department was notified and they extinguished the fire. Vehicle was inoperable. The entire passenger side of the vehicle was burned. *Ak
Consumer's vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle at about 5 mph. In turn, consumer's vehicle hit the car in front. Upon impact the air bags did not deploy. *Ak *nm
The headlights look like the high beam lights are on while driving any speed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
While driving at any speed transmission lost power temporarily. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
Toyota Echo: every year compared
All Echo years2001 Toyota Echo vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Toyota Echo | 55 | 2 | D | |
| 2001 Toyota Sequoia | 530 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Toyota Camry | 330 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2001 Toyota RAV4 | 314 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Toyota 4RUNNER | 190 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2001 Toyota Sienna | 185 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Toyota Prius | 170 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2001 Toyota Avalon | 139 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2001 Toyota Corolla | 138 | 4 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2001 Toyota Echo
Does the 2001 Toyota Echo have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Echo: engine and engine cooling (July 2006); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (October 2002). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Echo?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (14), engine & cooling (10), acceleration & cruise control (7).
How many complaints has the 2001 Toyota Echo had?
55 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 30, 2000 and the latest on February 9, 2023. Of these, 17 describe a crash and 6 a fire, and together they report 16 injuries and 4 deaths.
Is the 2001 Toyota Echo a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Toyota Echo year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Toyota Echo years have the most complaints?
2000 (86), 2002 (61), 2001 (55). See every Toyota Echo year compared.
What should I do if my 2001 Toyota Echo has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data