Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We bought a new Toyota Corolla in sept 2001 and it has approx 32000 miles till now. It was always serviced at the Toyota dealer. I got my 30000 miles servicing done in sept 2003 and since then we were not using the car much. In April 2004 suddenly the dashboard was showing check engine light. I thought it was 7 months that I got serviced(although I travelled less then 2000miles during this period) and it needs simple oil change and took the car to the dealer. The dealer told me that the charcoal canister and vsv have to be replaced. Although I missed the 36 months warranty my car was still under 36000 miles. The dealer didnt consider my request for a free replacement and was asking me to pay approx. 700 $ for parts and labor. But when I called couple of other dealers they told it is very uncommon to have charcoal canister replaced so soon. …
We have a 2001 Toyota we noticed that the check engine light would come on every month and so I took the car to autozone for a free diagnostic test each time with the result showing that the car has an electric short circuit problem. This is a defect in the timing chain and a part called a cam. To fix the problem it would cost me around 800 dollars. I reported the problem but they just ignored me. The result is I have to do an oil change every 1200 miles as there is no oil in the engine after 800 miles. Normally one would have an oil change done every 3000 miles. So the check light comes on every 400 miles intervals. This problem has been reported by many people on forums about the 2001 Corolla, but Toyota never bothered fixing. In addition to this problem the plastic lining around our car windows, on all four doors has peeled off. I reported this to the Toyota dealer last spring. …
Have a Corolla 2001, 65K miles on it today. At 56K miles, engine light came on, started misfiring, took to Toyota dealership, changed out points and plus. Engine light came back on, dealership performed "induction" through engine. Engine light came back on. Dealership could not find cause because computer readings vague; got frustrated and took car to independent mechanic shop that specializes in foreign cars; they determined it was a coil. Replaced coil. Car started burning oil profusely (1 quart a week in in-town driving). Now same shop has determined that the head gasket on engine needs replaced. (car has 65K miles). Car is scheduled to go in for a complete engine tear-down and head gasket repair/replacement at a cost of $1500-$1600. …
Driving car check engine light came on along with oil light and engine rattled. Shut car off and had towed to Toyota. They changed cam gear. Drove car home oil light came on and engine rattled. Dealer did have it towed back. Dealer stated that if they find this part was not the fix they would credit me cost. They then changed oil control valve, and charged me $100.00 more along with stating the cam gear was still necessary for fix. Brought car home and check engine light came on again. Changed oil and oil light has not come back on, but don't feel that car is really fixed. Paid $900.00 for all this and not comfortable that car is really fixed. Called Toyota customer service and they would not help, just stated that this is in the dealers hands. Great the dealer watching out for itself with Toyota having a hands off approach to taking care of this.
I was driving to work on June 22, 2009 on interstate 75 going north and another driver struck me from behind and the impact of his truck hit me on the right back quarter panel under the right rear light and on the bumper in the same area. My check engine light came on in my car on July 5th. I have taken my vehicle to an local aamco for service and it registered to gas cap. The gas cap has been replaced with a new one and 6 days later on July 14, 2009, check engine light came back on. The cause of the light May have be triggered from the auto accident. I will be taking my car to the Toyota dealer on Friday, July 24 in the morning for diagnostics of the check engine light. I will post again an update of my vehicle status after this weekend and upcoming week based on the dealership assessment.
My check engine light of my 2001 Toyota Corolla le repeatedly comes on. When checked it states there's an problem with the o2 sensors or converter system. I have had these replaced several times. I am told other years of the Toyota Corolla have been recalled for this problem. Several mechanics have stated the sensors are too close together and thus the check engine light gets triggered on. I have spent thousands of dollars replacing both o2 sensors three times, and the converter at least twice and the check engine light still comes on with the same codes for these same issues.
On my 01 Toyota Corolla "s" series. When air conditioner was on and outside very hot engine stalled,engne light came on. Took into the dealership, found that there was a random misfire of the fuel injectors.would cost $1000 to fix. Could not confirm if that truely was the problem.they could not recreate the prblem,bu it continued to reoccur.dealership did not know the cause.vehicle was three years old and had maintained service. Corolla bulletin indicated that that in 2000 had to replace injectors due to a manufacturer's defect.
Dt: contacts stated the check engine light came on August 1, 2005, consumer took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, and they replaced two different oxygen sensors. Now, the light came back on again and stayed on. Took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic, they put in new spark plugs. They said it could be a lot of things. It had stayed off a few days. However, the check engine light stayed on and consumer was taking the vehicle to the independent for the fourth time. The Toyota dealer had not checked the vehicle.
I purchased a used vehicle from keyes Toyota one year ago. It was advertised certified, however when I bought the car they would not honor it. I have been back and forth to the dealership with repairs. Recently the check engine light came on and I spent over $700 replacing the 02 sensors and flushing my brakes. This did not fix the problem and I have to spend another $4-$500 replacing the air flow meter. The mechanic told me that these problem should not be happening to such a young car.
The engine on my 2001 Toyota Corolla s had the timing chain jump, the engine suffered damaged valves, 3 pistons were broken and damaged others. My car had only slightly over 66,000 miles on it. The Toyota dealer where I purchased the car wouldn't do anything because the car was out of warranty, but I have never heard of a Toyota engine going bad with such low mileage. It was lucky this happened on a city street and not on the freeway.
Engine complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Toyota Corolla, 25% of the model year's 133 complaints. The component named most often is engine (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Corolla engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Toyota Corolla. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Corolla engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.