NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Toyota Echo Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Toyota Echo has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 35 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Toyota Echo, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2002 Toyota Echo owner complaints

Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Echo, describing incidents dated April 1, 2002 to March 6, 2018.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 8 complaints
Air Bags 7 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Service Brakes 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints

Of the 35 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 35 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11090041 · Filed April 25, 2018
AIR BAG FRONT PASSENGER LOOKS THAT IS NOT WORKING, ALARM IN RED SHOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG
ODI #11013961 · Filed August 9, 2017
TAKATA RECALL.NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SO FAR. I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS ONE OF THE MODELS OF CARS AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL? PLEASE LET ME KNOW,SO I CAN GET IT REPAIRED, IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU!
ODI #10817585 · Filed January 4, 2016
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?

Read all 35 complaints

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

NHTSA #06V266000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported July 19, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 34,771 vehicles

Toyota campaign 60G · Owners notified July 26, 2006 · Vehicles built January 31, 2001 – October 12, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 60G.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

TOYOTA/REAR BRAKE LINE

NHTSA #02V268000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2002 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 59,394 vehicles

Toyota campaign 20E · Owners notified November 9, 2002 · Vehicles built October 12, 2000 – February 27, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 20E.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Toyota Echo 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

35 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Echo.

Air Bags

ODI #11090041

Incident: March 6, 2018 · Filed: April 25, 2018

AIR BAG FRONT PASSENGER LOOKS THAT IS NOT WORKING, ALARM IN RED SHOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG

Air Bags

ODI #11013961

Incident: August 9, 2017 · Filed: August 9, 2017

TAKATA RECALL.NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SO FAR. I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS ONE OF THE MODELS OF CARS AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL? PLEASE LET ME KNOW,SO I CAN GET IT REPAIRED, IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU!

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10817585

Incident: December 30, 2015 · Filed: January 4, 2016

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?

Fuel System, Gasoline; Engine

ODI #10806896

Incident: February 1, 2014 · Filed: November 9, 2015

2002 TOYOTA ECHO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GASOLINE BURNING TOO MUCH IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD *JS

Unknown or Other

ODI #10669766

Crash Fire 1 injury

Incident: December 13, 2014 · Filed: January 2, 2015

ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING NORTH, CROSSED CENTER LINE AND HIT DAUGHTER IN 2002 TOYOTA ECHO HEAD ON. AS A RESULT OF IMPACT TOYOTA ECHO CAUGHT ON FIRE RESULTING IN DAUGHTER RECEIVING 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON RIGHT ARM, HEAD AND LEG. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS NOTED BY -STANDER THAT REMOVED DAUGHTER FROM VEHICLE AND HELPED EXTINGUISH FLAMES ON DAUGHTER. DAUGHTER WAS UNCONSCIOUS AFTER IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY FIRE AND DAUGHTER AIRLIFTED TO BURN CENTER FOR TREATMENT.

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10608192

Crash 1 injury

Incident: June 20, 2014 · Filed: July 4, 2014

I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. IT CROSSED THE STREET AND RAN OVER A BRICK PLANTER BOX, KNOCKED DOWN A CRAPE MYRTLE TREE AND FINALLY HIT THE NEIGHBOR'S SUV. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL AND HAD NO TIME TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR TURN OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I CHECKED THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF IT WAS AGAINST THE FLOOR OR IF THE FLOOR MAT WAS INTERFERING WITH IT, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND MY BACK WAS INJURED. *TR

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10575211

Fire

Incident: March 22, 2014 · Filed: March 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT SOON DISCOVERED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET AND HOUSING, WHICH WERE MADE OF PLASTIC, HAD BOTH MELTED FROM THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT BULB. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE LIGHT BULB FROM THE SOCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE PARTS AND VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10450928

Incident: February 22, 2012 · Filed: March 4, 2012

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 TEMPERATURES WERE AT OR BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 8 HOURS (IN A PARK AND RIDE LOT). ONCE THE INTERIOR CABIN WARMED UP AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO "JIGGLE" THE LIGHTS BACK TO LOW BEAMS.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10449089

Incident: January 19, 2012 · Filed: February 23, 2012

STUCK THROTTLE ON JAN 19TH, 2012 WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSED TO FLOOR. RECOVERED BY PULLING UP WITH FOOT. TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE SAME DAY AND WAS ABLE TO. TOOK TO DEALER (BOULDER TOYOTA) ON JAN 30TH. THEY CLAIMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE BUT THOUGHT CARPET MIGHT BE INTERFERING WITH FOOT PEDAL AND RECOMMENDED I CHANGE ALL OF CARPET IN CAR AT A COST OF $1200. I ASKED THEM TO JUST TRIM THE CARD AROUND THE PEDAL, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO THAT. TRIED TO REPRODUCE AFTER DEALER VISIT AND WAS UNABLE. INSPECTED ON FEB 3RD, AND IT APPEARED LIKE CARPET MIGHT HAVE BEEN PULLED BACK AROUND HOLE IN FLOOR. I PUSHED IT BACK INTO POSITION, AND THEN TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE STUCK THROTTLE AND WAS ABLE. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10375302

Incident: November 16, 2010 · Filed: January 9, 2011

MY 2002 TOYOTA ECHO ON NOV. 16TH 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CA. WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE STILL IN DRIVE. THERE WAS TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME SO I WAS ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 2 MPH WHEN IT WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I WENT TO PUT ON THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND PUT ON THE HAZARDS. TWO MINUTES WENT BY WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR AND IT WENT INTO DRIVE. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE KEYES TOYOTA IN VAN NUYS CA, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE FROM ANY TOYOTA CARS AND THAT IF THEY WERE EVEN TO LOOK IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY AT MY EXPENSE. I SOLD THE CAR FOR PARTS ON 11/18/10. *TR

Other Toyota Echo model years

Check your 2002 Toyota Echo VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Echo at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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