The 2002 Toyota Echo is one of the model year entries of the compact, entry-level car from Toyota that saw its production run last from 1999 to 2005. It came as either a two-door or four-door sedan, equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Most of the 2002 Echo's problems are engine-related.
If you notice that the "Check Engine" light is on in your 2002 Toyota Echo, you can look into the car's evaporative (EVAP) emissions system. This component--as well as the camshaft timing sprocket--is prone to failure in these vehicles, thus causing the "Check Engine" indicator to illuminate. Since the EVAP system is used to prevent gasoline vapors from escaping into the atmosphere from the fuel system, malfunction can increase the vehicle's emissions. Take the car to the dealership to have the EVAP system examined further; the camshaft timing sprocket would need to be replaced.
If you notice your engine stalling, or if it cannot start, check the wiring harness connector on it to make sure it is attached to the locking tab of the sensor wiring connector. On some 2002 Toyota Echos, engine oil may penetrate the seal and enter the sensor wiring connector due to improper molding of the resin body of the crankshaft position sensor installed on the engine block. The engine oil could cause expansion and deformation of the sensor wiring connector, thus disconnecting it and causing the engine to stall, and in extreme cases, fail to start. Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge.
If you notice that your brakes are not functioning the way they should, you might want to check for brake fluid leakage. Some 2002 Echos--driven during cold, snowy weather--may accumulate lots of snow inside the rear wheel and freeze. The frozen snow inside the wheel could contact the rear brake line during wheel rotation, and frequent contact could damage the rear brake line and cause the leakage. In this case, you would need to take it to the dealer to replace the rear brake lines. This would be done free of charge since it is covered under recall.
Watch out for the knob for the heater-flow control being hard to turn and clicking or squeaking hub caps. However, the early Toyota Echos--namely the 2000 and 2001 model years--are way more prone to these problems than 2002.
