KnownCarProblems2002 Toyota Echo Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Echo, most often about the speed control (23% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Echo model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Toyota Echo problems
Speed control
8 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Echo. The contact stated that while he was at a traffic light with his foot off of the accelerator pedal the engine idled and accelerated to a higher speed. He had to put his foot on the brakes and shift into neutral gear in order to stop the vehicle from idling. The failure has occurred…
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 # ni50883640 however, they have not done anything about it, what can we do?
Air bags
7 complaints · 20%Parts named most often: frontal.
Consumer states that when the vehicle crashed at 40mph in the front center of the vehicle, the air bag did not deploy. Dealer notified. Nlm the consumers vehicle was totaled. There was extensive damage in the front end-due to a defective air bag system. Scc
Dt: as of august 17, 2005 there was single car accident in which the car rolled 3 times, and the air bags did not deploy. The speed was 45 MPH when this happened, there was a blown tire that caused the car to strike an embankment., and when consumer tried to correct the vehicle it rolled. Car was towed to consumer's…
Transmission
5 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
Vehicle would intermittently jump out of drive into neutral when applying the accelerator pedal from a stop/slow motion or from increasing the speed to high levels. Vehicle had been to the dealer on three occasions, and they were unable to duplicate the problem.
1. Approaching a left turn at 15 to 25 MPH, gap in on-coming traffic, press accelerator and turn left. 2. The car decelerates as the transmission takes over and lethargically downshifts, 98% of the time, causing near misses. 3. I doubt anyone cares to consider it a problem. So, how many more broadsides occur with…
Brakes
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: power assist.
While driving 45 MPH brakes failed, causing the vehicle to roll down a cliff. As a result of severe damage the vehicle was totaled. At an earlier date, the consumer tried to stop the vehicle but spun around on the front tires. Toyota informed the consumer that they did not cover the tires. The consumer was unable to…
Engine
4 complaints · 11%Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Echo. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle shut off. Prior to the failure, the dealer informed the contact that she needed a starter and the part had to be ordered. The vehicle was placed on a lift and a hole was discovered in the engine. The failure has been recurring for four or five…
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) NHTSA recall 06v266000 recalled 02 Toyota Echo for crankshaft sensor failures which could cause the vehicles to stall and not restart, risking a crash. Toyota only recalled vehicles up to serial numbers ending in 212671. My 02…
Steering
3 complaints · 9%When the consumer became to move from a stopped position the steering wheel began to oscillate from left to right which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle and hit a curb. Once the vehicle hit the curb it tipped over onto it's side. None of the occupants were injured.
Car was being driven on a straight, dry road at 35 MPH. The steering wheel started oscillating from left to right on its own out of control of the driver. The car hit the curb and tipped over on its side.
Electrical
3 complaints · 9%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. The high beam indicator appeared on the dashboard display as well. This event occurred when the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Toyota Echo recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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 free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Toyota Echo
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Echo?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (8 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); air bags (7 complaints); transmission (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Echo have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 19, 2006 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Toyota Echo?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Echo model year since 2000, with 35 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.