VehicleVerdict

2000 Toyota Echo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 117 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Echo year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 6 Echo years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 26 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 30 reports (26% of the total).

117

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

35

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

26

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Echo years?

Echo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted117 complaints2000: 117 complaints2001: 63 complaints2002: 45 complaints2003: 23 complaints2004: 1 complaints2005: 13 complaints
Echo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Echo years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Toyota Echo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3026%
Airbags2017%
Electrical System1311%
Speed Control1311%
Transmission87%
Engine76%
Suspension54%
Tires & Wheels54%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)33%
Other33%
Body & Structure22%
Steering22%
Seat Belts22%
Seats11%
Fuel System11%
Driver Assistance11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2000 Toyota Echo have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V455000BrakesSeptember 17, 2004 · 109,056 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THIS CONDITION, BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE SEAL, OR A SMALL AMOUNT OF AIR MAY ENTER THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE OF VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

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.

01V326000BrakesOctober 10, 2001 · 42,198 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED UNDER THIS COMBINATION OF CONDITIONS, VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES WOULD DECREASE, AND THE INCREASED PEDAL PRESSURE REQUIRED COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

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.

00V256000EngineSeptember 7, 2000 · 4,530 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES WOULD BE DECREASED AND INCREASED PEDAL PRESSURE WOULD BE REQUIRED, INCREASING THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE HAS HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE IN APRIL 2000. FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES; IN JUNE/ AUGUST/ DECEMBER 2000, AND JUNE 2001. FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE, AND BRAKES FAILED AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO REAREND ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKE PEDAL FELT NORMAL, VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING AS BRAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 14, 2000 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 12, 2006 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 14, 2013 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT STATE SPEED LIMIT APPLIED BRAKES AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, COVERING DRIVER'S VISION WITHOUT WARNING, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING ACCIDENT AND MINOR BODY INJURIES.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · crash

“I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE TOYOTA ECHO 2000. RECENTLY WHEN GOING TO THE MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. HOW? AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE CAN IT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 81000 MILES. BACK IN MAR 2002 THE SHIFT AND BRAKES IN THE CAR WAS GIVING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 9, 2002

2000 Toyota Echo — common questions

Is the 2000 Toyota Echo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 117 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 6 Echo years. It is one of the Echo years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Echo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (30 complaints), airbags (20 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints).

Does the 2000 Toyota Echo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Toyota Echo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Echo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Echo years to avoid are 2000, 2001. The cleanest record among Echo years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.