<PAGE>
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K


(Mark one)

[X]      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001

                                       OR

[ ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to______


Commission file number 333-53920
                       ---------

        Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation (as depositor under the
             Trust Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2001, which forms
                         Wells Fargo Auto Trust 2001-A)

                          Wells Fargo Auto Trust 2001-A
                          -----------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


           Delaware                                       51-0378359
-------------------------------                ---------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                (IRS Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)

         Wells Fargo Center
         Sixth and Marquette
         Minneapolis, Minnesota                             55479
----------------------------------------       ---------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                 (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (612) 667-1234
                                                    --------------

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act: None
                                                                     ----

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None
                                                                     ----

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrants were required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]

         State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common
equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant: Not applicable
                                                 --------------

         Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
classes of common stock, as of December 31, 2001: Not applicable
                                                  --------------
<PAGE>

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

                                      None.

                                      * * *

         This Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Report") is filed with respect to
Wells Fargo Auto Trust 2001-A (the "Trust"), a common law trust formed under the
laws of the State of New York pursuant to a Trust Agreement, dated as of May 16,
2001 (the "Trust Agreement"), between Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation
(referred to herein as the "Company") and Wilmington Trust Company, as owner
trustee (the "Owner Trustee"). The only business of the Trust is the collection
and distribution of payments on motor vehicle receivables in the manner
described in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-53920). The
Trust issued $735,394,000 in aggregate principal amount of asset-backed notes,
Classes A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, B and C (the "Notes") pursuant to an Indenture,
dated as of May 16, 2001 (the "Indenture"), between the Trust and Chase
Manhattan Bank, as indenture trustee (the "Indenture Trustee"). Certain
information otherwise required to be included in this Report by the Instructions
to Form 10-K has been omitted in reliance on the letter relief granted by the
staff of Securities and Exchange Commission to other companies in similar
circumstances.

PART I


ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

         Not applicable.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

         Not applicable.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         There were no material pending legal proceedings relating to the Trust
         to which any of the Trust, the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee,
         Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Servicer, or the Company was a party or of
         which any of their respective properties was the subject during the
         fiscal year covered by this Report, nor is the Company aware of any
         such proceedings contemplated by governmental authorities.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         No matter was submitted to a vote of noteholders, and no noteholder
         consent was solicited during the fiscal year covered by this Report.



                                        2
<PAGE>

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

         (a)      There is no established trading market for the Notes issued by
                  the Trust.

         (b)      As of December 31, 2001, there were less than 300 holders of
                  record of all classes of Notes.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

         Not applicable.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

         Not applicable.

ITEM 7.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

         Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

         Not applicable

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         None.



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<PAGE>

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS

         Not applicable.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         Not applicable.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

         Not applicable.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         Not applicable.



                                        4
<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)

         (1)  Not applicable.

         (2)  Not applicable.

         (3)  The required exhibits are as follows:

         EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                             DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION

         3.1               Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Wells Fargo
                           Auto Receivables Corporation.*

         3.2               Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
                           Incorporation of Wells Fargo Auto Receivables
                           Corporation.**

         4.1(a)            Indenture between Wells Fargo Auto Trust 2001-A, as
                           issuer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as indenture
                           trustee, dated as of May 16, 2001.***

         4.2(a)            Trust Agreement between Wells Fargo Auto Receivables
                           Corporation, as seller, Wilmington Trust Company, as
                           owner trustee and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
                           National Association, as administrator, certificate
                           registrant and paying agent, dated as of May 16,
                           2001.***

         10.1              Sale and Servicing Agreement among Wells Fargo Auto
                           Receivables Corporation, as seller, Wells Fargo Auto
                           Trust 2001-A, as issuer, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
                           servicer and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as indenture
                           trustee, dated as of May 16, 2001.***

         10.2              Purchase Agreement between Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
                           seller, and Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation,
                           as purchaser, dated as of May 16, 2001.***

         10.3              Administration Agreement between Wells Fargo Auto
                           Trust 2001-A and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, as
                           administrator, dated as of May 16, 2001.***

         99.1              Monthly Servicer's Reports

         99.2              Independent Accountant's Report

         99.3              Management Representation Letter and Assertion

----------

         * Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration
         Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-7961) of Wells Fargo Auto Receivables
         Corporation.

         ** Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Current Report
         on Form 8-K of Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation dated May 3,
         2001.

         *** Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit of the same number to
         the Current Report on Form 8-K of Wells Fargo Auto Receivables
         Corporation filed May 22, 2001.

(b)  None.

(c)  See paragraph (a)(3) above.

(d)  Not applicable.

     SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO
  SECTION 15(d) OF THE ACT BY REGISTRANTS WHICH HAVE NOT REGISTERED SECURITIES
                        PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE ACT

         No such annual report, proxy statement, form of proxy or other
soliciting material has been sent to noteholders.



                                        5
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                       Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation,
                                       Wells Fargo Auto Trust 2001-A

                                       By: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
                                           as Servicer+



Date: March 29, 2002                   By: /s/ PAUL TSANG
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Paul Tsang
                                          Title: Vice President



----------

+ This Report is being filed by the Servicer on behalf of the Trust. The Trust
does not have any officers or directors.



                                        6
<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<Table>
<Caption>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                              DESCRIPTION
-------                             -----------
<S>                        <C>
3.1                        Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Wells Fargo
                           Auto Receivables Corporation.*

3.2                        Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
                           Incorporation of Wells Fargo Auto Receivables
                           Corporation.**

4.1(a)                     Indenture between Wells Fargo Auto Trust 2001-A, as
                           issuer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as indenture
                           trustee, dated as of May 16, 2001.***

4.2(a)                     Trust Agreement between Wells Fargo Auto Receivables
                           Corporation, as seller, Wilmington Trust Company, as
                           owner trustee and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
                           National Association, as administrator, certificate
                           registrant and paying agent, dated as of May 16,
                           2001.***

10.1                       Sale and Servicing Agreement among Wells Fargo Auto
                           Receivables Corporation, as seller, Wells Fargo Auto
                           Trust 2001-A, as issuer, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
                           servicer and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as indenture
                           trustee, dated as of May 16, 2001.***

10.2                       Purchase Agreement between Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
                           seller, and Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation,
                           as purchaser, dated as of May 16, 2001.***

10.3                       Administration Agreement between Wells Fargo Auto
                           Trust 2001-A and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, as
                           administrator, dated as of May 16, 2001.***

99.1                       Monthly Servicer's Reports

99.2                       Independent Accountant's Report

99.3                       Management Representation Letter and Assertion
</Table>

----------

* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (No. 333-7961) of Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation.

** Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Current Report on Form
8-K of Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation dated May 3, 2001.

*** Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit of the same number to the
Current Report on Form 8-K of Wells Fargo Auto Receivables Corporation filed May
22, 2001.



                                        7