Avoid: 2000 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2005
6 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 5 model years, the Toyota Echo has 252 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and service brakes. 2000 drew the most complaints (98), 2005 the fewest (5).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Toyota Echo vehicles (US, public record).
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2000 (98 complaints). Lowest: 2005 (5).
Extremely positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, durability, and low cost of ownership.
Noted as a gradual increase in oil usage, suspected to be from leaking timing chain cover or worn piston rings.
Grinding and inability to engage 3rd gear, noted in a 2001 model.
Persistent shaking when in gear at a stop, improved but not eliminated by replacing spark plugs and cleaning throttle body and MAF sensor (2003 model).
Installation of a replacement fuse for a non-functional dashboard, clock, and radio resulted in smoke and a burned fuse, indicating a wiring fault (2001 model).
Owner report of approximately 250 miles per tank, falling short of common reports of 45+ MPG (2001 automatic).
Owner insights cover all generations of the Echo. Individual model years are broken down above.
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