Speedometer continuously fluctuates when driving between speeds of 0 - 60 mph when vehicle is cold. Speedometer would read 35 - 45 mph higher than actual speed and would drop lower. Vehicle also drives poorly and shakes during lower speeds. Vehicle was promptly taken to dealership for repairs at which time the dealership notated that they were unable to duplicate the problem so they said there was nothing they could do about the speedometer problem. Continued driving vehicle as it did not seem to effect driving. 1 year and 5 months later, transmission started shifting poorly during cold starts for at least 5 minutes until vehicle warms up. Transmission was flushed by personal mechanic but problem continued. Check engine light came on at which time vehicle was taken to a different dealership. Reported older problem with speedometer as well as new problems with transmission. Dealership stated check engine light was due to RPM sensor malfunction and that the vehicle needed a new transmission and that the speedometer problem was caused by the bad sensor and should have been fixed when the problem was originally discovered. Said bad sensor led to transmission failure. Will take vehicle back to original dealership to have fixed.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

Dear sir/madam, while on your website, I discovered the defect investigations and complaints. Today I write to you with the same complaint reported by jb on March 9, 2002, "I am the original owner of this vehicle. I have Toyota Echo 2000. Recently when going to the mechanic I was informed the car needs a new transmission. How? after purchasing this vehicle can it need a new transmission with only 81000 miles. Back in Mar 2002 the shift and brakes in the car was giving myself problems when the mechanic saw it they felt nothing was wrong. On my own expense I put new brakes and tires to be certain". I was told the very same thing by a Toyota service mechanic when I brought my vehicle in to have my check engine light analyzed. My regular mechanic who is a very good mechanic, analyzed the engine in fall of 2004, he sent it to a transmission specialist, and found the transmission to be in good working order. This is ridiculous! please investigate as I suspect many more Echo owners have the same problem and have just not reported it.

- Stoughton, MA, USA

I am the original owner of this vehicle. I have Toyota Echo 2000. Recently when going to the mechanic I was informed the car needs a new transmission. How? after purchasing this vehicle can it need a new transmission with only 81000 miles. Back in Mar 2002 the shift and brakes in the car was giving myself problems when the mechanic saw it they felt nothing was wrong. On my own expense I put new brakes and tires to be certain.

- Greenacres, FL, USA