2000 Toyota Echo: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 88 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (26% of complaints); the 2001 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Echo equipped with NEXEN Tire, Tire Line: N PRIZ, Tire Size: 175/65/R14, DOT Number: 8EJH. The contact replaced the original tires on July 1, 2021 and within 2 months the front driver's side tire experienced a blowout. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,774. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2021
“The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Echo equipped with Nika Tires, Tire Line: Avatar, Tire Size: 175/65/R14, DOT Number: 16-MA-Z134-4919. The contact stated that she replaced the original tires on 6/29/2021 and within a month, the front passenger's side tire experienced a blowout. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 211,774. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota echo. While driving 40-50 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to place the vehicle in neutral to stop it from moving. The contact stated that the rpms increased and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to a local dealer. The vehicle was taken to cowboy toyota (9525 e r l thornton fwy, dallas, tx 75228, 888-434-4611), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1811131014. The failure mileage was 260,010.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2018
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota echo. While driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 60 mph. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a shed. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The front passenger sustained a right shoulder and knee injury that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2013
“Another vehicle ran a stop sign, and my mother in law was unable to brake fast enough and collided head on. The car had quite a lot of damage, and had to be towed away (for safety reasons). However, the airbag failed to deploy!!!! The collision was enough to incapacitate the radiator and it was head-on (not side or anything like that). Given the circumstances, I would expect the airbag to deploy, and the police were amazed that it didn't. She was wearing a seatbelt, which saved her from the worst. Please investigate this, as many vehicles of this type are registering the same issue! *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2009
“While attempting to stop vehicle using full brake pedal force and hand brake the vehicle continued to accelerate. I was unable to stop the car and nearly caused an accident. After shifting the transmission into park the engine continued operating at high speed. The gas pedal was not stuck or used at any time during this time. This occurred on two separate occasions both at highway and city speeds. It seems that there are other reports of similar incidents with this car. No problems were identified by mechanic who couldn't reproduce the problem. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 toyota echo. The contact received a recall notice from toyota on may 2, 2008 pertaining to the brakes. She immediately called the dealer and was informed that the part was unavailable. The dealer stated that they would call her when the part arrived. The contact believes that waiting three weeks is unacceptable because the brakes are presently failing. She is afraid to drive the vehicle because a crash could occur. The VIN and recall number were unknown. The failure mileage was 59,000 and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 09/15/08 *bf updated 09/18/08. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2008
“I was driving along highway changing into fast lane. Tried to ease into lane by gradually braking but car continued to accelerate even faster. Floored the brakes but this did not work. Pulled up parking brake, moved over two lanes and onto exit ramp where it gradually came to a stop. Very lucky few cars around!! No problem found with brakes at service station ?? *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2008
“Driver's seat failure (original and replacement seat from a collision vehicle) ... Seat butt pan (middle metal panel of seat base/bottom) metal split, spreading apart to the point that connection to the metal seat side supports separated from butt pan ... Stationary”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2007
“I was involved in a frontal crash yesterday (october 12,2006). The reason for my complaint was that the crash was pretty bad, the whole front of my car was totaled and the air bags did not deploy. I had my seat belt, but the impact made me hit the steering wheel. The police even asked if I had airbags, once they checked that it did, they were amazed they didn't deploy. *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 29 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RECESS RETAINS A RUBBER SEAL RING, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE END OF THE CYLINDER BODY, AND MAY BE CORRODED DUE TO AN IMPROPER WASHING PROCESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. CONDENSED MOISTURE FROM THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) PORT COULD SEEP TOWARD THE BRAKE VACUUM PORT INSIDE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND START TO FREEZE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VACUUM PORT. ALSO, OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IN STATES OTHER THAN THE RECALL STATES WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. IF THE ECHO OWNER BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE OPERATED IN THESE STATES DURING THE WINTER OR IN CONDITIONS DESCRIBED, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DUE TO A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF CONDITIONS WHICH CONSIST OF COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LOAD APPLIED FROM AIR CONDITIONER AND OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES, AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VACUUM IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD COULD BE INSUFFICIENT FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND FRONT BRAKE PADS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 29, 2001. 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Echo by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Toyota Echo reliable?
NHTSA has 88 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Toyota Echo. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Echo problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,631 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Toyota Echo have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.