Toyota Recalls 2001 - 02 Echo and Prius

As part of a larger global recall involving more than 400,000 vehicles, Toyota is announcing that, in the U.S., approximately 34,700 Echo and Prius models from 2001 and 2002 may have a faulty connector in the crankshaft. While no injuries or accidents have been reported, in worst-case scenarios the bad part could cause the engine to stall and fail to restart.

This is the latest in a series of recalls from Toyota, but we’re not quite ready to condemn the company as a whole. As always we recommend owners of these vehicles get them serviced as soon as possible.

[Source: Toyota]

Comments

looks like its finally catching up with toyota, too much too soon, and their vehicles are really not all that reliable like people would like to think...

2003 Toyota Echo - Engine and Electrical Systems Complete Shut Down While Driving.

Dear Friends,

Last week, while driving my 2003 Toyota Echo Sedan, my engine and electrical systems completely shutdown; subsequently, all mechanisms supported by these two systems were non-functional. The brakes and steering systems lost their power, all lights and signaling devices failed

There were no pre-warning signals as to some type of electrical or mechanical problem, other then on the evening prior, while my wife was operating the vehicle, she had came to a stop to check for mail. During this time she had placed the vehicle in park and shut the engine off. When she attempted to restart the vehicle, the ignition failed to start the engine and the transmission selector was stuck in park. It stayed this way regardless of the position of the ignition switch.

She told me, she had attempted for several minutes to have the selector come out of park,
and, she also made attempts to start the engine. After trying for sometime, the ignition suddenly started the engine and she could shift it into drive. She then drove the vehicle approximately another 100 yards until she was at our home.

She told me what had occurred, and I asked if she had noticed any of the signs that would indicate there was a mechanical or electrical problem; or if she had noticed any difficulty with the transmission selector not shifting gear positions in the past. She said she had not.

After about an hour from the time she arrived home, I went out and checked the vehicle. It stared immediately and shifted between gears appropriately. I drove it up and down on our street stopping it and putting into park and other gears and it seemed to be working fine.

Since I was unable to determine what had caused the problem, and thinking it might have something to due with a computer mechanism (BIG EXPENSE, and hoping it is still under warranty), I decided to take the vehicle to an auto store that offered free computer analysis.

The next day, while I was driving to the store to have it inspected, the systems failed. I was exiting off a freeway ramp, and it seemed as if as soon as I applied the brakes to begin stopping, the vehicle shut down. As I mentioned, the power brakes went out, which I did not realize immediately. The vehicle just seemed to have stiff brakes at first and then after realizing that the vehicle was not slowing normally and then noticing everything was quiet, such as the: A/C blower, the turn signal audio, the noise of the engine, and so on, I attempted to engage the ABS brakes, and instead the brakes locked the tires up into a skid. So, I immediately came off of the brakes, bringing it out of a skid and began the pump brake method. While this is going on, I realized I did not have power steering or acceleration to out maneuver obstacles, so I continued pumping the brakes and stripping off the speed. Subsequently, I then cut the wheels as hard as I could and rolled off onto the shoulder of the road and stopped the vehicle and put the transmission selector into Park. Later, when I attempted to restart the vehicle, the ignition failed to restart the engine and the shifter would not release from Park.

So, What Happened?

My vehicle did restart after applying a jump start, but when I would begin to drive and then engage the brakes, the vehicle would repeat the complete shut down, and when put into Park. It would not come out of gear.

Subsequently, I had the battery tested and I was told the battery was shorted out, and SHOT. I replaced the battery, and had the car retested and everything is fine.

Has anyone heard of a Toyota Echo or another vehicle shutting down as my vehicle had? Is this due to the computer mechanisms? After thirty five years I never had a vehicle that shut down while being driven, because a battery was bad. But, I am here to learn!

Thanks to everyone for your time and consideration with my inquiry!
Rob

Toyota (2001) Echo sportivo
Rust in body within 3 months
Repair under warranty lasted 12 months
Security section of management computer shut down after warranty just finished
Lights dull and polycarbonate opaque
Poor finish interior.
Relay failed (main engine power-starting) under warranty.
But mostly reliable

I've had the same exact problem with my 2003 Toyota Echo. Mine is a 5 speed manual. Could you tell me what the problem turned out to be? I need to fix mine. Thanks!!

Another electrical failure fr the Sportive. After taking advice of local TOYOTA dealer found a secondhand ECU....
WRONG !!!
The relay which powers the ECU was faulty. This is located in the covered box next to the battery. The relay *there are 3 the same in the first row (written under lid when removed)
swap with horn relay to test...
Good luck...
BTW have a good second hand ECU and all locks (including transducer) for sale $500 incl. Freight within AU
Cheers
Darryl

hello all

i took my car, a toyota echo, automatic transmission, 60K miles to the tire center today for them to do a wheel alignment and tire balance... costed me over $100.00

Later in the afternoon, I observed that, if i move from Park to Drive, and want to go back, on each shift of the gears, there is this noise that sorta means something was stuck...
i drove and tested this well enough and the noise is getting louder and nastier like each push of the gears spoils something inside.

anyone thinks the mechanics messed with my gears while doing this wheel work?
Thanks

Robert...

You described the problem I am having with my 2001 Toyota Echo EXACTLY. I am having the same issue. The Echo just randomly shuts off while driving, all electrical systems and mechanical systems turn off, and then like magic, they occasionally pop back on. It's such a weird phenomenon. It's like a UFO flew by and shot my Echo with a death ray and scrambled the car's computer. The other day the car shut off while I was approaching a busy intersection. I almost rolled right into it without being able to stop. I really hope your post is correct and that the battery was your problem. I know it's been 3 years, but if you're still out there, can you post an update?