2003 Toyota Echo problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Power Train (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Echo model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (84)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Showing the 6 most recent of 84 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-07-31 · Vehicle Speed Control · 80,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota echo. while driving 15 mph, the vehicle accelerated rapidly on its own when the brake pedal was depressed. the failure occurred without warning. due to the failure, the vehicle ran a red light. the contact pulled into a driveway and turned off the vehicle. the contact was able to restart the vehicle. the contact c…”
2014-03-22 · Power Train · 25,834 mi“on march 17, 2005 i purchased a 2003 toyota echo from toyota of nashua in new hampshire. after purchasing the car and leaving toyota of nashua to drive home, the engine stopped as i approached a stoplight at the end of the highway exit near my house. i had simply depressed the clutch to coast toward the red light. i didn't think much of it at …”
2010-02-22 · Vehicle Speed Control · 63,536 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota echo. the contact stated that while his spouse was driving at approx 65 mph, the vehicle began to accelerate. the driver had to steer to the side of the road and hit a snowbank to avoid a serious accident. the contact noticed no prior experiences with the sudden acceleration before that day. the vehicle was towed …”
2009-12-28 · Power Train · 13 mi“2003 toyota echo with manual transmission shuts off when slowing or stopping, especially on downgrades when clutch is depressed. i have learned to lessen these occurrences by not pushing in the clutch until the car is almost stopped, by never coasting with the clutch in, and by making turns with the car in gear. because it doesn't always happen, …”
2006-11-23 · Power Train:driveline · 8 mi“from the date of purchase of this vehicle i hear a high pitched whine coming from the car. from doing research on forum sites dedicated to the echo it seems to be common on all cars. the whine is loudest on the highway between 45 - 65 mph. i contacted two different dealers about this issue and i was told to remove my stock hub caps / this does n…”
2006-10-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 13,000 mi“dt*: the contact stated the vehicle commonly shuts off while braking or decelerating to 20 mph. the vehicle had been to a service dealer twice but the dealer was unable to duplicate the issue.…”
2006-05-15 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 💥 crash“i own a 2004 echo. there are 3 main problems with this vehicle. one; the transmission hesitates when its switching gears. this is an automatic. two; i was in a car accident on december 2, and none of the air bags deployed. three; a lot of times when i try to start the car, it stalls. *nm…”
2005-09-17 · Seat Belts:front · 29,000 mi · 💥 crash“this involves my uncle thomas barrett's toyota echo. the vehicle struck another vehicle. neither air bag deployed and the passenger side seat belt did not tension. the passenger occupant was injured. *jb…”
2005-08-18 · Interior Lighting · 2,000 mi“dt: caller said the dash board light is not bright enough. caller can not see gas gauge and other gauges during the day time. dealer said the lights are normal and they said they can't do anything about it. manufacturer has not been contacted yet because he cant get through on the phone number he has. no air conditioning filter in the vehicle whe…”
2005-03-28 · Unknown Or Other“2003 toyota echo window sign stated that the vehicle had power equipment, this turned out to be false.*mr *jb the consumer would like to know if his vehicle is on the air bag recall list. updated 06/03/15. *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.