Toyota

Camry (2001)

2001 · Midsize Sedan ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.8)
325 NHTSA Complaints
4 Recalls
12 Fire Reports
88 Crash Reports
View all 8 generations of the Toyota Camry → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

1MZ-FE

3.0L 6-cyl / 200 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.8)
56 complaints 56.0 per year Gasoline
1 fatality
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Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
12
interior
9
other
8
engine
7
brakes
6

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (12 complaints)
Interior Issues (9 complaints)
Engine Issues (7 complaints)

Toyota Camry Unidentified Engine

โŒ Avoid (1.6)
79 complaints 79.0 per year
4 fire reports 3 fatalities
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Complaint Breakdown

other
16
engine
13
cooling
12
safety systems
11
brakes
8

Known Issues

Engine Issues (13 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (12 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (11 complaints)

5S-FE

2.2L 4-cyl / 133 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.1)
188 complaints 188.0 per year Gasoline
8 fire reports 2 fatalities
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Complaint Breakdown

engine
44
cooling
33
safety systems
29
other
26
wheels tires
20

Known Issues

Engine Issues (44 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (33 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (29 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2AZ-FE

2.4L 4-cyl / 157 hp
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
cooling
1
interior
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (1 complaints)
Interior Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Toyota Camry regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (65 complaints)
engine critical
Safety Systems Issues (52 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Cooling System Issues (46 complaints)
cooling critical
Wheels & Tires Issues (20 complaints)
wheels_tires critical
Brakes Issues (20 complaints)
brakes critical

Recalls (4)

09E025000Nov 4, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

06E026000Mar 22, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

01V012000Jan 15, 2001serious
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND V6 ENGINES, AND BUILT AT ONE OF TWO LINES AT THE KENTUCKY PLANT. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING COULD BE DEFORMED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR-TO-THROTTLE BODY CONNECTION. THE ACCELERATOR INNER-CABLE COULD WEAR AWAY AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.

01V072000May 2, 2001serious
Structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2001-2001 Toyota Camry problems?

The 2001-2001 Toyota Camry has accumulated 325 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Safety Systems, Cooling System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Toyota Camry engine is most reliable?

The 2001-2001 Toyota Camry was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2001-2001 Toyota Camry a good used car?

The 2001-2001 Toyota Camry can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 325 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2001 Toyota Camry have?

The 2001-2001 Toyota Camry has 325 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2001-2001 Toyota Camry?

There are 4 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2001-2001 Toyota Camry vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Toyota Camry?

Before buying a used Toyota Camry, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Safety Systems, Cooling System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Camry have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2001 Toyota Camry. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 325 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-07-24.

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