2005 Toyota Echo

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND FLIPPED OVER TWICE. IN ADDITION, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR CONTUSION AND INJURIES TO THE CHEST BONE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID

10402388

Incident

Apr 16, 2011

Mileage

10,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75000.

NHTSA ID

10342742

Incident

Jul 1, 2010

Mileage

75,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNAL, THE BRAKES MADE THE VEHICLE PULL VIOLENT TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE DISC WHERE BENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP O MACHINED THEM TO EVEN THE SURFACES. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE DEALERSHIP MACHINED THE DISCS AGAIN. AFTER THE FORTH FAILURE OF THE BRAKES, THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO A LOCAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO THE LEMON LAW, BUT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY PROVIDED A REFERRAL TO THE OFFICE IN PUERTO RICO. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE DRIVING ON A HILLY AREA WITH DEFECTIVES BRAKES WOULD BE HIGHLY RISKY.

NHTSA ID

10168545

Incident

Nov 15, 2005

Mileage

10,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA ECHO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 14, 2004. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS LEAKED AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED THE LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBERS AND BROKEN DOOR LATCHES . THE WINDOW STICKER STATED THAT IT WOULD GET 39 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN IT ONLY GOT 24 TO 27 MILES PER GALLON OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE. A WEEK AGO THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO FIRES. *AK (11/30/05) OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE NOISE (TICKING/RATTLEING), THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WERE LOUD INTERIOR SQUEAKS, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND ROUGH IDLE. *SC

NHTSA ID

10138526

Incident

Aug 4, 2004

Mileage

1,275 mi

YOU DO NOT INCLUDE THE 2005 TOYOTA ECHO CAR IN ANY OF YOUR LISTS AND I OWN ONE. THE CAR WAS MADE IN JAPAN BUT SOLD IN THE U.S. TO US SPECS. I BOUGHT ONE IN 2005 AND IT SMELLS AWFUL LIKE RAW GASOLINE INSIDE (NO ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT). PLEASE INCLUDE THE 2005 TOYOTA ECHO (AND PRIOR YEARS, TOO). *NM

NHTSA ID

10134752

Incident

Aug 1, 2005

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

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. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

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 surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

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, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

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 within 90 days from initial application.

Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.