39 complaints reported

2004 Toyota Corolla Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
39
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Apr 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000. UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/03/18*JB *AS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2014
Sep 2010

CAR SUDDENLY STALLS, SOMETIMES WHILE AT A STOP BUT HAS HAPPENED WHEN MOVING. WON'T START FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN WILL START. HAS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2010
Sep 2010

MY 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA SUDDENLY HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING, MAKING A HORRIBLE METALLIC CLANKING AS THE CAR STALLED. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT PIECES OF THE ENGINE LITERALLY BROKE APART AS IF THE METAL WAS FATIGUED. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW THIS HAPPENED WITH ONLY 117,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT TOOK OVER A MONTH TO FIND A USED ENGINE AND SCRAPE TOGETHER THE MONEY NEEDED FOR REPAIRS. THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, FOR A TOTAL OF $2500. I WAS ALSO FORCED TO RENT A CAR DURING THIS TIME, AND THE CAR RENTAL AMOUNT IS AROUND $600. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2010
Apr 2010 Fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED; THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THE BURNING SMELL WAS CAUSED BY THE CRACKED RADIATOR OR THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,766. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2010
Oct 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. ALSO THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REEVE WHILE IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE MECHANIC COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, HE COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2629. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4300.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2009
Mar 2008

CAR ENGINE MADE NOISE , PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, TOWED TO SHOP , TOLD ENGINE DEAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,500.00 -VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2008
Jul 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA. ON JUNE 1, 2007, THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WORKED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. ON JUNE 4, 2007, WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AND OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. SHE TRIED NOT TO PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN FEAR THAT THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL AGAIN. WHEN SHE REACHED THE END OF THE HILL, SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE FAILED. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE INSTANTLY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TWENTY MINUTES AND IN THAT TIME FRAME, THE VEHICLE FAILED EVERY THREE MINUTES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO ONE IS EVER IN THE VEHICLE WITH HER WHEN IT FAILS AND SHE IS AFRAID THAT SHE MAY CAUSE A CRASH. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,980.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2007
Oct 2006

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA (45,000 MILES) AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, (READ CODE P0456, EMISSION CONTROL EVAP SMALL LEAK). MY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND TOYOTA HAS CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM WITH REPLACING THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE (APPROX. $300.00). SHOULD THIS NOT BE A RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING ONLY 2YRS OLD AND A EMISSION PROBLEM, THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER CONSUMERS? I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP AND REPLACE PART AT NO COST TO OWNER, THE CAR IS TOO NEW TO HAVE PROBLEMS. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2006
Feb 2006

2004 TOYOTA COROLLA DRIVE BELT CRACKED AT ABOUT 5K MILES I HAVE A 2004 COROLLA WHICH IS MAINTAINED REGULARLY AT DARCARS TOYOTA OF SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND. WHEN I HAD MY CAR OIL CHANGED AT MILEAGE 53200, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD AND SHOWED ME THAT MY CAR'S DRIVE BELT HAS MANY, MANY CRACKS ON IT. THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO REPLACE IT WITH A NEW BELT AND WILL BE CHARGED $210. TOYOTA OFFICIALLY RECOMMENDS AN INITIAL INSPECTION OF DRIVE BELT AT 60K/72 MONTHS, 15K THEREAFTER. IT MEANS BEFORE 60K MILES THERE SHOULD BE FINE. I SENT AN EMAIL TO TOYOTA AND ASKED THEM IF MY CAR HAS A QUALITY PROBLEM. IN THEIR REPLY, THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER MY QUESTION. TOYOTA IS FAMOUS FOR THEIR VEHICLE EXCELLENT QUALITY, BUT IT LOOKS NOT IN MY CASE. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2006
Sep 2005

DT: CONTACT STATES THAT THERE WAS A REPORT ON A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA REGARDING THE EXCESSIVE SULFUR DIOXIDE ODOR. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER THREE TIMES, THEY REPLACED THE CONVERTER AND THE AIR FILTER, THIS DID NOT RID THE CAR OF THE SMELL.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2005
Sep 2005

I BOUGHT THE 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA BRAND NEW, AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I NOTICED A HORRIBLE "ROTTEN" EGG SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, TO BE TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO TRY ANOTHER GAS STATION, I DID AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I STILL CONTINUE TO SMELL IT AND ITS BAD. I WAS TOLD THAT MEANS THE "EXHAUST" SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY....I THINK THAT IS A POOR REASON FOR THIS HORRIBLE SMELL. THE CAR ALSO HAS A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR ALSO PULLS TO THE LEFT..EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE THIS WAS MY FIRST NEW CAR PURCHASE. I PURCHASED A TOYOTA BECAUSE OF IT'S HISTORY OF HAVING VERY RELIABLE CARS. I'M SORRY THAT I GOT THIS CAR. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2003
Jun 2005

I PURCHASED A COROLLA CE IN OCT 2003. I HAD NOT HAD THE CAR MORE THAN A MONTH WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL A SULFER(ROTTEN EGG) SMELL. I COTINUED TO SMELL THIS AND IT DID NOT GO AWAY SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SHOWED ME A BULITEN THAT STATED IT WAS NOT THE CONVERTER. THE DEALER THEN TOLD ME THAT AMERICAN GAS HAS TOO MUCH SULFER CONTENT AND THE TOYOTA ADDMISSIONS WERE AT A HIGHER LEVEL THEN THE AMERICAN GAS. I NOW HAVE 15,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. I WENT TO TRADE IT IN TODAY TO GET A COROLLA S MODEL. THE DEAL IS NOT MADE YET, BECAUSE I HAVE READ THAT THE 2005 COROLLAS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2003
Apr 2005

I BOUGHT A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA CE IN JULY 2004 AND TODAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. MY GIRLFRIEND HAS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA, AND SHE TOLD ME , AFTER I BOUGHT MINE, THAT ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON FOR NO DISCERNIBLE REASON A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. DEALER CHARGED HER FOR A PART AND LABOR ON HER NEW CAR TO FIX THE ENGINE LIGTH PROBLEM.*AK THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN MODEL PROBLEM. WHY DOESN'T HE MANUFACTURER FIX IT BEFORE SELLING THE CAR?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2005
Mar 2005

SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN SEPT 2003 IT EMITTED A ROTTEN EGG SMELL THROUGH THE VENTS. I WENT TO ARBITRATION IN MAY 2004 AND LOST BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. THE TOYOTA REP SAID THAT SOMEONE WOU LD BE CAONTACTING ME AND THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NO ONE CONTACTED ME AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALLS. THE 800# CONTINUED TO SAY IT WAS THE GAS. I HAVE SUFFERED WITH HORRIBLE HEADACHES AND I LOST MY PERIPHIAL VISSION ON THREE OCASIONS. IN FEB 2005 I WAS PULLED OVER SICK FORM THE ODOR AND FI AGAIN CALLED 800#, THEY AGAIN SAID IT WAS THE GAS. I PLEADED WITH THE REP TO HELP ME AND SHE CALLED ME BACK TWO DAYS LATER WITH A NEW TSB THAT CAME OUT IN MAY 2004. THE DEALER REPROGRAMED THE ECU AND TECH SMELLED ODOR SO THEY ORDERED A NEW CAT CONVERTER REPLACED THAT A REPROGRAMED ECU AGAIN. THEY SAID IT WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE IN MY CAT. IF THIS WAS THE CASE WHY WAS'NT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING OFF FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF? NOW I HAVE AN ODOR OF BAD EXHAUST COMING THROUGH MY VENTS AND TOYOTA WANTS ME TO PUT IN THE SAME GAS 4XS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND I CAN';T IMAGINE WHAT DRIVING WITH A BAD CAT FOR OVER A YEAR HAS DONE TO MY HEALTH AND MY ENGINE. I HAVE ASKED TOYOTA TO ISSUE ME A LETTER SAYING THAT THE CAR IS SAFE SINCE I TRANSPORT CHILDREN BUT THEY REFUSED.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2004
Feb 2005

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON THE 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA STARTED EMITTING A SULFUR DIOXIDE ODOR.*MR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BUT THE SMELL PERSISTED. THE VENT FLAP IN THE TRUNK WAS ALSO REPLACED BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED A SECOND SMELL WAS PRESENT WHICH SMELLED LIKE ASH OR SMOKE. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE SECOND SMELL AND THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER CHANGED GAS BECAUSE THERE WAS HIGH SULFUR IN THE GAS. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2004
Jan 2005

CAR HAS ROTTEN EGG SMEL WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S A CONSEQUENCE OF THE GAS AND THAT THEY WILL TRY TO FIX IT BUT THAT IT WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AFTER PAYING FOR A NEW CAR.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2004
Jan 2005

CAR HAS SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS, SULFER TYPE, HAD CAR REPAIRED AND STILL SMELLS. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2005
Dec 2004

2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, CLOSE TO 3,500 MILES. PURCHASED IN JULY '03. WHEN I RUN THE HEAT INSIDE THE CAR, A VERY STRONG SULFUR ODOR IS EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GAS, NOT THE CAR, BY BOTH DEALER AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. I DO NOT GET THIS SMELL IN ANY OTHER CAR I RIDE IN, INCLUDING THE '96 COROLLA I TRADED IN. THIS RELEASE OF SULFUR OXIDE INTO THE CAR INTERIOR IS A SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERN THAT TOYOTA SEEMS TO REFUSE TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN. *LA

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2004
Dec 2004

2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, CLOSE TO 3,500 MILES. PURCHASED IN JULY '03. WHEN I RUN THE HEAT INSIDE THE CAR, A VERY STRONG SULFUR ODOR IS EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GAS, NOT THE CAR, BY BOTH DEALER AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. I DO NOT GET THIS SMELL IN ANY OTHER CAR I RIDE IN, INCLUDING THE '96 COROLLA I TRADED IN. THIS RELEASE OF SULFUR OXIDE INTO THE CAR INTERIOR IS A SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERN THAT TOYOTA SEEMS TO REFUSE TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN. *LA

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2004
Nov 2004

CARBON MONOXIDE IS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER, AND CONSUMER WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2004
Nov 2004

WHEN CAR IS RUNNING EXHAUST PRODUCES ROTTEN EGG SMELL WHICH WHEN VENT IS ON COMES INTO CAR. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD CONDITION IS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL AND WOULD NOT CORRECT UNDER WARRANTY. I FIND THIS ANSWER UNACCEPTABLE THAT I SHOULD DRIVE A NEW CAR THAT EMITS ROTTEN EGG SMELL AS NORMAL.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2003
Sep 2004

SINCE I GOT MY CAR IT HAS HAD A STRONG BAD EGG SMELL. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SEEN THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2003
Aug 2004

UNEXEPECTED SURGE OF CAR AT A TRAFFIC STOP. I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH 7500 MILES, AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK WITH MY FOOT SECURELY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IN DRIVE WHEN THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR REAR END ACCIDENT OR A PEDESTRIAN FATALITY. ANYONE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM PLEASE CALL ME (AL) AT 203-929-6856. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2004
May 2004

STRONG SULFUR SMELL WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2003
Apr 2004

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WOULD SMELLED A ROTTEN EGG ODOR. IT MADE THE CONSUMER VERY ILL. CONSUMER WROTE A LETTER TO MANUFACTURER, BUT MANUFACTURER DID NOT RESPOND. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2004 Toyota Corolla has 39 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.